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1991.09.24_TC_Minutes_Workshop~ _. . • TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA Minutes of Meeting of Town Commission WORKSHOP MEETING Rand. Tuesdav September 24 1991 1 30 P M Mayor Joseph A. Boulay called the Workshop Meeting of the Town Commission of the Town of Highland Beach, Florida, to order in the Commission Chambers at 1:30 P.M. Others present were Vice Mayor Bill Paul, Commissioners Arlin Voress, Arthur Eypel and John F. Also in attendance were Town Attorney Thomas E. Sliney, Town Manager Mary Ann Mariano, Town Clerk Anne M. Kowals and members of the general public. The Agenda was accepted as written. 91.1 Mr. Jose Echeverria of Russell Drive, reported on the Highland • Beach Turtle Program, the Beach cleanup that took place on Satur- day, September 21, and the Palm Beach County Beaches and Shores as relates to the Town of Highland Beach. Mr. Echeverria thanked the Police and Fire Departments for their support regarding the Turtle Program and Beach cleanup in Town. Mr, Michael Dent, residing at the Casuarina, noted Mr. Echeverria, the Town's representative on Palm Beach County Beaches and Shores Committee, is doing a wonderful job and deserves our thanks. Mr. Dent further noted that the Financial Advisory Board and the Town Commission deserve the residents' thanks for managing to keep the Town tax rate down, which is a great achievement. Mr. Dent, citing the average age of the Town's residents is 70 years, stated he would like to return to the 1:30 P.M. Regular Meetings as he does not believe the evening meetings are attract- ing more resident attendance. In response to a comment by Mr. Dent, Town Manager Mariano stated that, although employees are not receiving merit increases, they will be getting a Cost of Living Adjustment which will keep the Town's pay plan on a par with similar adjacent municipalities. Mayor Boulay noted a vacancy on the Board of Adjustment created by • the automatic resignation of Ms. Marie Beary who missed three consecutive meetings of said Board. The Mayor requested the Com- missioners consider appointing a qualified resident to the vacancy at the October Regular Meeting of the Town Commission. i• • Town Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes September 24, 1991 Page 2 of 6 1. AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE~CODE OF ORDINANCES TO PROVIDE THAT ALL ALTERNATE MEMBERS OF THE PLANNING BOARD, BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT AND COMMUNITY APPEARANCE BOARD BECOME REGULAR MEMBERS AND PROVIDING THAT ALL SECTIONS OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT ARE HEREBY AMENDED, TO WIT, SECTIONS 20-16 (a); 20-46; 2-76 (a); TO PROVIDE FOR THE NUMBER OF REGULAR MEMBERS OF THE PLANNING BOARD, BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT AND COMMUNITY APPEARANCE BOARD AND PROVIDING THAT ALL SECTIONS OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT ARE HEREBY AMENDED, TO WIT, SECTIONS 20-26 (a); The proposed ordinance, given first reading on 9/03/91 and published on 9/13/91, was read by title by Mayor Boulay. During discussion of this matter, the Town Commission Members agreed that item 2 should read as follows: • 2) The Planning Board, Board of Adjustment and Community Appearance Board shall consist of seven t71 Regular Members each. It was the consensus of the Commission to move this matter to the October O1, 1991 Regular Meeting Agenda for final reading and possible consideration. Status of Building Development in Town The commission received, as information, the Status of Building Development in Town, a report prepared by the Building Official. Minutes for approval at October Regular Meetinct Three sets of Minutes were reviewed and it was the consensus of the Commission to move same to the October 01, 1991 Regular Meeting Agenda for approval. Vice Mayor Bill Paul • Vice Mayor Paul, under his report, noting he initiated the move of the Regular Meetings to a night schedule, advised he would initi- ate the ordinance to return the Regular Town Commission Meetings i, • Town Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes September 24, 1991 Page 3 of 6 to the 1:30 P.M. timeframe. The Town Attorney was directed to draft an ordinance changing the time of the Regular Town Commis- sion Meeting from 7:30 P.M. to 1:30 P.M. for first reading at the October 01, 1991 Regular Town Commission Meeting. Commissioner Arlin Voress Commissioner Voress addressed the matter of the proposed Palm Beach County property taxes--he made several observations with regard to how much taxes citizens pay and suggested how residents might start to attack this issue. The Commissioner noted the County has 171 dependent and independent taxing districts, some of which answer to no voter input and, as a consequence, all have major budget increases which, in essence, are out of control. Commissioner Voress noted that, long tern, citizens need to get more efficiency out of our school dollars: near terra, citizens must address how they can get the 171 dependent and independent taxing districts back under the control of the voters; short terms, citizens need to get the County Officials (Sheriff, Clerk of the Court, Property Assessor, Tax Collector, Supervisor of Elections) • under the control of the County Commission in order to save dupli- cation of effort and make these groups more responsive to the voters. The Commissioner noted it is his belief that the Town should begin to take a higher identity profile with appropriate municipal agencies to push for better efficiency in government, lower taxes and better distribution of the tax burden. No report. F Commissioner Rand, under his report, urged Town residents to get involved in the campaign regarding a petition for a Florida referendum to limit the assessed valuations by a maximum of 30 annually. The Commissioner further reported he was provided a videotape of the Palm Beach County Commission Budget Public Hearing by the Palm Beach County Commission Office which was edited to present several excerpts depicting the frustration and anger of Palm Beach County residents with regard to the Palm Beach County Property Apprais- er's proposed taxes. Mayor Boulay requested the Town Attorney review said videotape to make certain the Town will incur no legal ramifications by replaying said edited videotape to Town . residents. • Town Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes September 24, 1991 Page 4 of 6 Commissioner Rand requested information as to the proper collater- alization of any funds exceeding $100,000.00 deposited on behalf of the Town. This information will be provided as soon as possible. Mavor Joseph A. Boulav Mayor Boulay, under his report, reminded residents that the Government "open House" is scheduled for December 5, 1991 and arrangements are being made by staff with regard to participation of the Palm Beach County Fire/Rescue, County Commissioner Mary McCarty, representatives from South Florida Water Management District, as well as all Town Commissioners who will be present to answer any questions residents may have. Also participating in this program will be the Town Manager and a representative from the Town Attorney's Office. The Mayor noted it will be a good day to find out about Highland Beach--all are invited to come by and spend time with Town staff. Mayor Boulay noted the beach cleanup that took place on Saturday, September 21, 1991, was a success. The Mayor extended thanks to • Jose Echeverria and his staff regarding the beach cleanup and the Highland Beach Turtle Program. Mayor Boulay, noted the 5 mile walk for American Cancer Society held on September 21, was a success and Highland Beach was well represented with T-shirts. The Town raised approximately $2,000.00 for the American Cancer Society. Mayor Boulay extended thanks to all who walked: Harvey Sheller, Frank Colarullo, Gerry Marshall, Arlin Voress, Arthur Eypel, John F. Rand, Town Manager Mary Ann Mariano and Dottie Boulay. At the request of Mayor Boulay, Mr. Echeverria approached the dais and acknowledged all who participated in Saturday's beach cleanup program: D. J. Echeverria, Dale Echeverria, Carmen Hayworth, Terry Delehanty, Elizabeth Bishop, Gail and Matt Monahan, Eugene McGuiness, Pat Salisbury, R. Kennedy, Betty Barnes, Irene Rodtenberg, Paula and Sam Perez, Betty Graham, Patti Hansen, Tom Boyer, Guy Galizia, Leonard Bell and Jose Echeverria. Town Attorney Thomas E. Sliney had no report. . 1. Discussion re Harvel Utilities Contract Renewal Following discussion of renewal of the Harvel Utilities Contract, it was the consensus of the Town Commission to move this matter to Town Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes September 24, 1991 Page 5 of 6 the Consent Agenda for the October 01, 1991 Regular Meeting for consideration. 2. Discussion re Lahage Property - Town Lot 129 East -2445 South Ocean Boulevard A request from Mr. H. Frank Lahage & Associates to demolish the estate residence at 2445 South Ocean Boulevard {formerly the Sylvester Property) which Mr. Lahage recently acquired for development was discussed at length. General Contractor Peter Ince noted they would like to remove the house and sod the property. Mr. Ince noted they would also like to place a wall with gates at the front of the property with the driveway remaining in place (the wall would be similar to the project at the North end of Town). The modification of the front will be submitted to the Community Appearance Borad for consideration. The Town Manager noted that often the demolition permit is obtained with the building permit; the Town requires assurances from Mr. Ince that they will maintain the property. It was noted • that there are parameters on how a vacant lot, in the Town, is to be maintained. The Town Attorney commented that, in the past, the Town tied an agreement regarding maintaining the site with the demolition permit, which matter was done administratively by the Town Manager's Department. Following discussion, it was the consensus of the Commission that this matter be handled administratively. 3. Discussion re Newsletter A Memorandum dated 8/28/91 from Deputy Town Clerk Trinley to Town Manager Mariano with regard to the Town Newsletter was discussed by the Town Commission. Following said discussion, the Commis- sioners were requested to stop by Town Hall to review this matter with Mrs. Trinley and give their suggestions and comments. Mayor Boulay thanked all for attending this meeting as well as all residents watching same on T.V. at home. The Mayor noted the videotape of this meeting will be played on Friday, September 27, 1991 at 1:30 P.M. on Government. Channel 12. Mayor Boulay noted the Regular Meeting is set for Tuesday, October 01, 1991 at 7:30 P.M. in the Commission Chambers at Town Hall. • There being no further business to come before the Town Commission at this time, Mayor Boulay adjourned the Workshop Meeting at 2:45 P.M. Town Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes September 24, 1991 Page 6 of 6 APPROVED: Bi1C~ ul, Vice Mayor --~~ > ArAli.n ~Vores,~, Commissioner Arthur Eypel,~~omi~issioner r--~ G....---- . Rand, ommissio er ATTESTED ' • Date: AMK •