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1989.12.12_TC_Minutes_Specialr ~ }~ .. '' •! z TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA Minutes of Meeting of Town Commission SPECIAL MEETING Tuesday, December 12, 1989_ ___ 9:30 A.M. Mayor Joseph A. Boulay called the Special Meeting of the Town Commission of the Town of Highland Beach, Florida, to order in the Commission Chambers at Town Hall at 9:30 A.M. Others present were Vice Mayor John J. Basso, Commissioners Marvin A. Waldman and Betty Jean Stewart. Com- missioner Doris R. Rome was absent. Also present were Jo Ellen Leisinger, director of Urban Design Studios, Town Manager Mary Ann Mariano, Deputy Town Clerk Anne M. Kowals and members of the general public. Mayor Boulay noted that he had invited resident Harold B. Cohen, an avid tennis player, to this meeting. At the Mayor's suggestion, the Members moved down to the table where they reviewed and discussed plans. During discussion of the proposed project, Vice Mayor Basso noted a sea- wall would be required to prevent erosion (a problem along the entire coast) and stop the water from flooding the property. Regarding the mangroves, the Vice Mayor suggested they be transplanted to an area where they will get water. Commissioner Waldman, citing the expenses facing the Town (i.e. the Broadview Litigation, reverse osmosis, etc.), stated this matter should be placed on the back burner and noted that he was debating whether the bike path is more important than the park behind Town Hall. Mayor Boulay noted the purpose of this meeting was to do some free plan- ning on this park; he did not think the Members should confuse the park with the bike path. The Mayor further noted that the Commissioners in- put is needed so that a plan can be drawn and all will know what will be done regarding the proposed park behind the Town Hall Complex. Ms. Leisinger stated that the purpose of the meeting was to come up with a program for a park which would then lead to a master plan which will give the Commission a vision of what will eventually be done when the Town can afford it; the master plan can always be revised. With regard to the seawall discussed earlier, Commissioner Stewart stated she would vote against any seawall investment on this site. Mayor Boulay noted he would prefer to leave the property natural in order to allow the necessary flush for the mangroves. r Town Commission Special Meeting Minutes December 12, 1989 Page 2 of 3 Commissioner Stewart questioned if the unit housing the Water Depart- ment's chlorine facilities could be relocated to allow for the creation of a circular traffic flow. Town Manager Mariano requested direction with regard to what features would be desireable (tennis courts, shuffleboard courts, etc.); this will then allow the planner to work with the features. Commissioner Waldman said the Town Commission should consider a natural park like Gumbo Limbo and forget the tennis and shuffleboard courts; leave the site as a nature park which would not require much parking. Mr. Harold B. Cohen of Ambassadors South, a member of a tennis club, stated that if the Commission is considering tennis courts for the Town, they should select the Har-tru tennis court which is a form of soft clay that is porous (most of the courts in the area are Har-tru courts). Mr. Cohen further noted that maintaining two Har-tru courts should present no problem to the Town's Maintenance Department. Regarding a gazebo donated to the Town, the Mayor noted that same should be considered for use as a shelter in the proposed park. Ms. Leisinger questioned if the Members wanted a nature park with a nature walk, a fitness walk (leave it passive and natural); or, would the Members want an active park with tennis courts, shuffleboard courts, etc., (active parks are noisy). Additional parking would be required and would be added in the back. It was noted that while restrooms are available in the administrative buildings, outside restroom facilities would be required as the park would be open after office hours at Town Hall. Following substantial discussion, it was the consensus of the Members present that the park should contain two tennis courts, a few shuffleboard courts, a nature walk that will be based on what is placed on the property, with the gazebo (including several benches) located near the Intracoastal Waterway to provide shelter for residents viewing the waterway, as well as restroom facilities which will be tied into the activity area for safety reasons. COMMISSIONER STEWART made a MOTION to accept the plan and give it to Ms. Jo Ellen Leisinger. The MOTION, favorably received by the Members, was seconded by COMMISSIONER WALDMAN. Vice Mayor Basso suggested contacting the County and State Officials re the mangroves advising what the Town has in mind and finding out what the Town would be allowed to do on that property. Ms. Leisinger will await that information before drawing up any plans. ~ 4r I Town Commission Special Meeting Minutes December 12, 1989 Page 3 of 3 MOTION to adjourn the Special Meeting of the Town Commission of the Town of Highland Beach, made by COMMISSIONER WALDMAN/COMMISSIONER STEWART carried without objection. Mayor Boulay adjourned same at 10:35 A.M. APPROVED : ``~ J A. ot~,lay, Mayor J.~Brasso; Vice Mayor (Absent) Doris R. Rome, Commissioner ~,.~a.•~-~ a~,1 Ma vin A. Waldman, Commissioner Bet~'i""Jean Stewart, Commissioner • ATTE; Date amk