2008.09.29_TC_Minutes_WorkshopTOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH
MINiJTES OF TOWN COMMISSION MEETING
WORKSHOP MEETING
Monday, September 29, 2008 1.30 P M
Mayor Jim Newill, CPA called the Workshop Meeting to order in Commission Chambers at
1:30 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER:
Roll Call: Members present: Mayor Jim Newill, CPA; Vice Mayor Miriam S. Zwick;
Commissioner Doris M. Trinley; Commissioner John J. Sorrelli. Absent -Commissioner John
J. Pagliaro. Also present: Town Attorney Tom Sliney; Town Manager Dale S. Sugerman;
Town Clerk Beverly M. Brown; and members of the public.
Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge of Allegiance was given, followed by a minute of silence in
honor of members of the military, both living and deceased.
Civility Pledge: The Civility Pledge was recited by the Town Clerk.
1. ADDITIONS, DELETIONS OR ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA
~ Agenda accepted as presented.
2. PUBLIC CONIlVIENTS AND REQUESTS
Jud Stern -Highlands Place
I like to speak of my displeasure with the tree plantings. We have a small park along the
intracoastal that had sixteen tress planted in front of. The spacing is inconsistent; units in
our building now have an obstructed view of the intracoastal; security guards cannot see
the gazebo; in addition the trees are an eyesore. Would like some of these trees removed.
3. PRESENTATIONS
• Introduction of Jon Williams from the Government Services Group as the
Town's new Finance Department Advisor
Mr. Williams stated he is the Financial Services Director for the Government
Services Group. He brings more than 13 years of municipal experience, particularly
in the areas of management, finance, accounting and utility operations. He holds a
Town Commission Workshop Minutes
September 29, 2008 Page 2 of 7
Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration Accounting from the
University of Central Florida and is presently working on his Masters Degree. He
previously worked as the City Manager and as the Finance Director for the City of
Edgewater.
Vice Mayor Zwick -Asked if he would be attending Commission meetings and
would be he be available to the Town employees? Reply - He would be attending the
Commission meetings and would be available to the Town employees. Mayor Newill
inquired where he lived. R n1v -Edgewater. uestion - Do you hold any position
with them? Reply - No. uestion -How much continuing municipal education do
you get? Repiy - Twice a year.
Town Mana er Su eg_rman -Cale Curtis will be our first line of contact. As of
October 1, 2008 he will be the Deputy Finance Director. We have contracted for 462
hours annually with the Government Services Group to review payroll, auditing,
accounts payable and receivables.
• Introduction of William Kraemer of Independent Inspections, Ltd. as the
Town's new Building Official
Mr. Kraemer stated that he works for Independent Inspections located in Waukesha,
Wisconsin. The building department will continue to run basically as it previously
has in the past. The basic difference will be that the permit holders will have to call a
1-800 number to schedule their inspections. The list of inspections will then be
emailed to my attention during the night. We provide a high level of customer
service, will make things as simple as possible, and stream line all processes.
Commissioner Sorrelli -What is your expertise? Reply - I was a general contractor,
Inspector and Plans Examiner for the City of Fort Lauderdale, and Deputy Building
Official with the City of Boca Raton. uestion -What is the estimated turn around
time? Reply -Ten days is a realistic figure, shorter for small items such as windows
and hot water heaters.
Commissioner Trinley -Where will you be located? R~ -When not in the field, I
will be in the office. uestion -What is the turn around time from Wisconsin?
Reply -They start an hour before we do. The inspection list is received daily.
Mayor Newill - If you need aback-up, would you call someone from the Orlando
area? Town Mana eg_r Su erman -The Building Official will always be someone
from Palm Beach County. Bill is a 40 hour a week employee. Mayor Newill -When
they call 1-800, are you talking with a person? Reply -They are talking with a
person, and do not know they are not talking with someone in Highland Beach.
uestion -How many other towns in Florida use this service? R my - 5 or 6.
Town Mana er Su eg rman - In addition, we will have a conscientious code
enforcement effort on a weekly basis.
Town Commission Workshop Minutes
September 29, 2008 Pa e 3 of 7
Rich Barber, Florida Power and Light -Commercial Demand Reduction (CDR)
Program
Richard Barber -Government Liaison for Florida Power and Light. Working with Town
to prepare to switch over to the Commercial Demand Reduction (CDR) Program. FPL has
had this program in place for the last twenty years. During large peak usage our capacity
has short falls. This program allows our clients that have generators to use them to help us
with our peak loads. We have used the CDR Program only 26 times in the past 30 years. It
is not something that we rush into. Rate changes have to be approved by the Public Service
Commission. It will not be reviewed again unti12010.
Public Works Director Jack Lee -Delray, Boca and Boynton Beach are already on this
program. Publix is in the process of switching over to it. We immediately save 5% by
committing to the program.
Commissioner Trinley -What is the initial cost? Public Works Director Jack Lee -
A lot of the equipment is supplied by FPL and we are still determining the energy efficient
costs. uestion -What is the cost of the diesel fuel? Reply -The Health Department
requires us to run the generators for four hours each month. If we were instructed by FPL
to switch over to the generator, we would use that time to satisfy the Health Department.
Mayor Newill - If you have to run the generator 4 hours every month. What would you do
if the peak demand was at the end of the month? Reply - If it happened at the end of the
month, it would be carried over into the next month.
Commissioner Sorrelli - Is there any programs out there where our residents can save?
Reply -Upgrade appliances in home, air conditioning, and energy efficient lighting.
Town Mana er Su eg_ rman- The CDR Program is not a special program written for
Highland Beach. This rate is offered to anyone who is qualified.
4. BOARDS AND CONIlVIITTEES
A) Board Correspondence
• Planning Board -letter from Chairman Lou Stern dated 9/22/08
The Board granted final approval for construction of a 7 story, 15 units
condominium at 3200 S. Ocean Blvd., and hereby transmits their recommendation
to the Town Commission.
Town Attorney S1ineX -Will include this item on the November agenda.
B) Board Action Report
• None
Town Commission Workshop Minutes
September 29, 2008 Page 4 of 7
C) Board Vacancies
• Cultural Board - 3-Year Term
Planning Board - 3-Year Term
Interviews of 2 Applicants
Dennis Sheridan - 3114 S. Ocean Blvd.
Have an extreme interest in the operations of all boards. Particularly this
board as it controls the beauty and integrity of Highland Beach.
Eugene Diliberto - 3224 S. Ocean Blvd.
Previously sat on the Planning Board for 5 years. Presently a member of the
Code Enforcement Board. I am a licensed general contractor with
international experience. In response to a question, Mr. Diliberto stated that
his license was inactive.
Town Clerk Brown stated an additional application was received after the agenda
was posted and distributed. After discussion, it was agreed to modify the
appointment procedures in reference to the time period to receive applications.
D) Monthly Board Meetings
• Planning Board -Oct. 8th -Regular - 9:30 A.M.
• Beaches & Shores Advisory -Oct. 14th -Regular - 9:30 A.M
• Code Enforcement Board -Oct. 15th - 9:30 A.M.
• Bd. of Adjustment -Oct. 21st -Regular - 9:30 A.M.
• Cultural Advisory -Oct. 23rd -Regular - 9:30 A.M
5. PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
ORDINANCE N0.08-003 0
AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA
ESTABLISHING AND REVISING THE EXISTING RATES FOR SOLID WASTE
AND RECYLCING COLLECTION SERVICES, AND PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
Town Mana eg r Superman -During the 2008-2009 annual operating budget workshop
meetings, it was disclosed to the Commission that, based upon the annual CPI adjustment
and the quarterly fuel adjustment allowed in the contract with Waste Management, the
Town's retail solid waste and recycling collection rates will not generate enough to cover
the wholesale costs charges to the Town. All things being equal, if the CPI remains the
same, and fuel costs remain at their elevated levels, the Town will see a shortfall of
approximately $75,000 in revenue compared to expenses during the upcoming budget year.
At the moment our increased cost from the wholesale rates are being covered by General
Fund ad valorem tax revenues. If the Commission does not want to use approximately
$75,000 in ad valorem taxes to pay the increase and instead chooses to pass those increased
costs along to the consumer, we will have to adjust our retail solid waste and recycling
rates. The proposed ordinance would generate enough additional revenue to insure that
Town Commission Workshop Minutes
September 29, 2008 Page 5 of 7
retail rates cover wholesale rates. The proposed adjustment to rates would add $2.00 per
month for single-family and multi-family curbside customers and $1.50 per month for
multi-family container customers. The special medical class of customers would not see a
rate change in their rate. If the Commission chooses to go forward, it will need two
readings and' a public hearing.
Commissioner Sorrelli - Is Waste Management the only provider that we can use?
Town Mana er Su erman - We have just completed the second year of a five-year
contract. The last contract was awarded to Waste Management due to their level of service
and very few problems. The cost adjustment is the result of the increase in gas. If the gas
goes down, the rates will go down.
6. NEW BUSINESS
None
7) MISCELLANEOUS -ITEMS LEFT OVER
Approving Participation in Florida Power & Light's Commercial Demand
Reduction (CDR) Program.
No objections from Commission. Moved to 10/4/2008 consent agenda.
Review of Format and Establishment of a Schedule for the Milani Park Special
Exception Application from Palm Beach County - [TABLED]
Town Mana ear Su eg rman -Would take a motion to remove from the TABLE. Will
make additional comments during my report.
• Minutes:
July 29, 2008 -Workshop
August 26, 2008 -Workshop
August 26, 2008 -Budget Workshop
September 2, 2008 -Regular Meeting
September 9, 2008 -Budget Meeting
Moved to 10/4/2008 consent agenda.
8. REPORTS -TOWN COMMISSION
• Commissioner John Pagliaro - Absent
• Commissioner Sorrelli -Mayor -Thank you for the letter on the "Let Us Vote" issue.
Think it would be a good idea to spend some time to discuss this on the regular agenda.
There is no drainage on the east side of AlA, and it is an accident waiting to happen.
Town Commission Workshop Minutes
September 29, 2008 Page 6 of 7
Town Manager Su erman -When it rains hard, you have to wait for about two hours
for it to properly drain. After the two hours you do not find any lakes or large puddles
on the paved surface. It is standard for the rain to accumulate on the road during heavy
rains. We are literally at sea level, it takes 3 to 4 days for the swales to drain. Comm.
Sorrelli -Town Attorney -What do you think? Town Attorney Slinev - It is an
insurance incident. Comm. Sorrelli -Would like to allow residents to talk longer than
five minutes if no one else is talking. Mayor Newill - If I allow one person, then I
would have to allow everyone. It would become unmanageable. Comm. Sorrelli - I
am making the request. Mayor Newill -One Commissioner cannot change the rules, it
has to be the whole Commission. Comm. Trinley -Sometimes people want to hear
themselves speak. The five minutes is posted on the agenda and they should stick to it.
Vice Mayor Zwick - I also agree.
• Commissioner Trinley - No report.
• Vice Mayor Zwick - No report.
Mayor Newill - I included a letter with the Highlander this week in regards to the back
ground of "Let Us Vote," and hope everyone reads it. Commissioner Sorrelli -Would
like to discuss that further at the next meeting. Mayor - My second "Coffee with the
Mayor" will be held on October 27th from 9:30 to 11 A.M.
9. REPORTS -TOWN ATTORNEY
• Will save my remarks until the Town Manager speaks.
10. REPORTS -TOWN MANAGER
The cover page of the Highlander discusses the two ballot issues. Asked the voters to
educate themselves on the two topics: 1) Paying off the water plant with ad valorem
taxes. 2) Replacing the water line on AlA. In addition, there is a letter from the
Mayor in regards to the "Let Us Vote" issue.
The topic of Milani Park could not be brought up during the workshop, as it is on the
"Table." The Town Attorney and I met with the county representatives acouple of
weeks ago. It is my understanding that we have an agreement. I will request that the
Commission remove it from the "Table" at the October 7th Regular Meeting to discuss
the agreement in regards to the schedule from that point forward.
Town Attorney liney -One of my concerns initially was that it was too compacted of
a schedule. The process will start in November and gives time for the Commission to
digest it.
Mayor Newill -The County has successfully told us that we cannot have a workshop
and you all know my feelings on home rule.
Town Commission Workshop Minutes
September 29, 2008 Page 7 of 7
Town Manager Su erman -Tonight begins the Jewish New Year and wish everyone a
happy and healthy New Year.
11. CONSENT AGENDA
• None
12. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REQUESTS RELATED TO ITEMS DISCUSSED AT
MEETING
• None
13. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Commission, Mayor Newill
adjourned the Workshop Meeting at 3:15 P.M. upon a MOTION by Vice Mayor Zwick
seconded by Commissioner Sorrelli.
APPROVE: ~ ';
Jim Ne ill, CPA, ayor
F
~'~ Y
L' .M1
Miriam S. Zwick, Vice ayor
,cP,~ ~ ~.~~ ,
Doris M. Trinley, Commissioner
ATTEST:
Lam.
Bev ly M. B~ wn, MMC, Town Clerk
Date: G71 ~