2011.09.13_BSAB_Minutes_RegularTOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH
�= MINUTES OF THE
,�:,.• BEACHES & SHORES ADVISORY BOARD
�•� REGULAR MEETING
Tuesday, September 13, 2011 9.30 AM
Members Present: Chair Rosalind Svenstrup; Member Linda Albertson; Member Ira
Oaklander, Member Susan Hiles, Member Elizabeth Andrews. Members Absent: Vice
Chair Joel Ignatin. Also Attending: Kathleen Weiser, Town Manager; Ilyne Mendelson,
Planning Board Member, Rosalie DeMartino, Administrative Assistant and members of
the public.
I. CALL TO ORDER:
Chair Svenstrup called the Regular Meeting to order at 9:30 AM. Roll Call was taken
by Rosalie DeMartino, Administrative Assistant, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Chair Svenstrup thanked Barbara James, Turtle Permit Holder for the Town of
Highland Beach, Turtle Liaison for Highland Beach/Member Susan Hiles and Anita
Holland for their time devoted to the Turtle Talk and Walk Day which was a success.
2. ADDITIONS, DELETIONS OR ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA:
Chair Svenstrun called for any deletions or acceptance of the agenda. By consensus,
the Board accepted the agenda as presented.
Chair Svenstrup welcomed James Jiovanazzo as the newly appointed member to the
Beaches and Shores Advisory Board. Member Jiovanazzo introduced himself and
spoke briefly about his background as a school teacher. He is now retired and a
permanent resident of Highland Beach.
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REQUESTS:
None
4. PRESENTATIONS:
• Town's Strategic Plan
By: Ilyne Mendelson, Planning Board Member
Ilyne Mendelson, Planning Board Member, presented the Town's Three-year Strategic
Plan. She referred to the memo sent by Carol Stern, Chair of the Planning Board in
July of 2011. The Mayor and Town Council decided that there should be a three-year
Strategic Plan for Highland Beach. The Town Commission decided that the Planning
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Board should spearhead this project and asked that they get back to them within one
year. Ilene Mendelson, Planning Board member indicated that the best way to
accomplish this would be as follows:
• Each member of the Planning Board would be assigned to present this plan to
the other boards to get their input.
• A resident survey will be going out to the residents of Highland Beach in the
Highlander asking for their input.
• There is going to be a "Coffee with the Mayor" inviting residents to come and
speak about the strategic plan.
She asked that the Beaches & Shores Advisory Board discuss their ideas and come up
with their wish list to present to the Planning Board. It will be the responsibility of
the Planning Board to incorporate all the ideas from each board as well as from the
residents and synthesize them into a recommendation. They will also look at other
towns that are similar in size to Highland Beach and see what they have done with
their strategic plan. After looking at all the ideas, the Planning Board will decide
which ones should be sent to the Mayor and Town Commission. This will depend on
whether or not it could be done within the three-year period and the cost factor.
Kathleen Weiser, Town Manager indicated that there is a need to have categories and
goals and the need to come up with an action item of how to complete it. Some
examples of action items are quality of life, beaches and waterways, security,
pedestrian walkways, town infrastructure, safety, etc.
Ilene Mendelson, Planning Board member stated that she would be willing to come
back to this board if they felt it necessary for her to do so. She asked if there were
any questions at this time.
Chair Svenstrun mentioned the MSTU (Municipal Special Taxing Unit) was on the
resident's survey since it would mean having to raise taxes in the community and
would have to be placed on a ballot. The board is not sure when to do this because of
the economy and is awaiting the input from the residents.
Chair Svenstrun also talked about policing the Intracoastal Waterway which is a very
important subject to the Beaches and Shores Advisory Board. They would like Chief
Hartmann to speak with the Boca Police Department to see if they could join forces in
policing the Intracoastal Waterway in our town. She feels it would be beneficial to
both towns since the other side of the waterway belongs to Boca Raton. Chair
Svenstrun realizes that it would be too expensive to have our own marine patrol and
would hope that they could give us 16 to 20 hours a week, especially on the weekend
when there is a lot of boat traffic. These speeding boats are damaging the seawalls
and the mangroves and causing many problems for the residents. Member Oaklander
stated that there is no monitoring on the Intracoastal Waterway and it is a hazard to
the environment. Half of the town is located on this waterway. Ilene Mendelson,
Planning Board member asked if there are laws that govern the Intracoastal
Waterway. Chair Svenstruv explained that the waterway is under the jurisdiction of
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9/13/2011 Pa&C 3 of 4
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and there is a speed limit of
25 or 35 miles per hour depending on the time of year. She feels this is in excess.
There is also an ordinance that boater's are responsible for their wake and the damage
it could cause. However, there is no one pulling any of these boats over for not
abiding by these rules. Chair Svenstrun feels if there were someone policing this area
and giving some type of warning some of these problems could be alleviated.
Member Jiovanazzo suggested having cameras installed along the shore line which
might be less expensive than policing the area. Iyne Mendelson Planning Board
member indicated that this is the exact type of recommendation that should go to the
Planning Board. The Beaches and Shores Advisory Board has identified an issue and
problem and put forth an action item on how it could be accomplished in a reasonably
priced way. Member Oaklander stated that there should be two ways to go with this.
One would be to enforce the existing regulations and the other would be to find a way
to have a no wake zone. He also mentioned that this was presented some time ago
but was turned down by the state in 1999. The Intracoastal Waterway has become
much more congested since that time and feels it should be presented again. Chair
Svenstrun mentioned that they had contacted the Florida Fish & Wildlife
Conservation Commission regarding the policing of the waterway but was told that
because of budget cuts and limited manpower they could not be here on the
weekends. She also stated that a Marine Incident Report Form was sent out to the
residents to report any problems or dangers that they might see. Unfortunately not a
lot is reported. llyne Mendelson. Planning Board member suggested this could be a
recommendation to contact the state again and see if they could implement some new
laws such as a no wake zone and enforcing regulations.
Member Oaklander brought up another suggestion having to do with parks. He
indicated that Highland Beach has no parks and feels it would be valuable to the town
and the people who live here. He mentioned Milani Park but it is owned by the
County and nothing can be done for at least 10 years. He also suggested that the town
purchase part of an available ocean front property. llyne Mendelson. Planning Board
member indicated that this might not be feasible due to the cost factor involved in
purchasing prime property. However, if Member Oaklander feels strongly about this
then he should recommend this to the Planning Board for the strategic plan.
Chair Svenstmp stated that each resident of Highland Beach has beach access but
there is none for emergency vehicles. She feels there should be research done to
provide a designated beach access for public safety.
After further discussion regarding the policing of the Intracoastal Waterway, llyne
Mendelson, Planning Board member stated to the Board that it is important they make
their recommendations showing what action could be taken, time factor and how it
could be done with the least amount of cost involved.
Beaches & Shores Advisory Board
9/13/2011 Page 4 of 4
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
• July 12, 2011 — Regular Meeting
MOTION: Member Andrews moved to approve the July 12, 2011 — Regular Meeting
Minutes; seconded by Member Albertson. Motion passed with all in favor.
6.OLD BUSINESS:
None
7. NEW BUSINESS:
None
8. ADJOURNMENT:
MOTION: Member Hiles moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:15 AM.
Member Albertson seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
APPROVED:
1
Rosalind Svenstrup, C
Absent
JoeJ Ignatin, Vice CAair,
Albertson,
Elizabeo Andrews, Member
Susan Hiles !�)ber
Ira Oaklander Member
es Jiovan o, Member
ATTESTED:
a..c
osalie DeMartino
Administrative Assistant
Date: / 0 Z/ / Z//