1988.07.11_TC_Minutes_Specialr•.-~ - ~
TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA
Minutes of Meeting of the Town Commission
SPECIAL MEETING
Monday, July 11, 1988 9:00 A.M.
A Special Meeting of the Town Commission was called to order by Mayor
Betty Jean Stewart in the Commission Chambers at 9:05 A.M. Also present
were Vice Mayor John J. Basso, Conmissioners David T. Robinson and
Robert F. Scholz. Conut~issioner Doris R. Rome was absent.
Also in attendance were Town Manager Mary Ann Mariano and Deputy Town
Clerk Anne M. Kowals.
A letter from Boca City Manager Rutherford regarding Highland Beach Long
Term Water needs, dated 7/7/88, which indicates that a long term conut-it-
rnent is not in the City's best interest, was received and read by the
Town Conm~ission Members. It was noted that this matter is to be
discussed at the Boca Raton City Council Workshop Meeting scheduled for
this afternoon.
At this time, Commissioner Robinson read a prepared statement which is
attached to and made a part of these Minutes.
During the discussion, Conar~issioner Robinson noted that he had visited
the Texas Trail site which has strong possibilities and commented that
• the Town should look at other wellfield sites West of 95; locating new
wellfields is a strong and viable answer that will n-aintain our
independence.
Commissioner Scholz stated that, in looking over the alternatives, it is
his feeling that the Texas Trail wellfield is the best alternative and
the most feasible way of getting water for our long term needs with the
supplemental water required during peak shaving being purchased from
Boca Raton; Conu~~issioner Scholz stated that he was never in favor of
closing down the water plant.
The Mayor noted that the wellfield possibilities were discussed many
times and never was it apparent that both Commissioners, Robinson and
Scholz, were opposed to Boca supplying all the water to Highland Beach
for its long term needs.
Also noted was the fact that any wellfields West of 95 would require
approval from Boca City Council because the piping must come through the
Boca line; and, South Florida Water Management District approval would
be required, as well.
Vice Mayor Basso noted that the Con-n-issioners had agreed to go along
with the concept of purchasing the water from Boca Raton. Due to the
fear of infiltration of salt water in our wellfields, the Vice Mayor is
for the purchase of water from Boca.
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Town Commission
July 11, 1988
• Page 2 of 2
Special Meeting Minutes
It was noted that on December 15, 1987, it was a unanimous Town Com~~is-
sion who voted for water fron- Boca Raton.
A reply to City Manager Rutherford's letter may be prepared and
submitted within the next two weeks.
Following the discussion, it was agreed that the Mayor retain the slot
alloted for her appearance before the Boca City Council Workshop Meeting
at 2:30 P.M. on this date to deliver Highland Beach's presentation.
Upon proper MOTION, Mayor Stewart adjourned the Special Meeting of the
Town Con-n-ission at 9:30 A.M.
APPROVED : 7c~
Bet Jean Ste rt, Mayor
ohn J. asso, Vice Mayor
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David T. Robinson, Commissioner
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. Robert ~. Scholz, Commissioner`s
(Absent)
Doris R. Rome, Commissioner
ATTEST:
Date:
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• I HAVE READ MR. RUTHORFORDS REPORT TO HIS CITY COUNCIL AND I CONCUR WITH
HIS RECOMMENDATIONS. MY AGREEMENT TO REQUEST WATER FROM THE CITY OF BOCA
BATON WAS BASED ON A PEAK SHAVING PLAN THAT WOULD GIVE HIGHLAND BEACH TIME
TO ADDRESS OTHER LONG TERM ANSWERS....AND AS INDICATED IN MR. RUTHORFORDS
REPORT...THE TOWN MANAGER OF HIGHLAND BEACH TOOK THE TROUBLE TO ADVISE MR.
RUTHORFORD THAT WAS OUR ORIGINAL APPROACH.
AT SOME TIME AFTER THAT...THE TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH WAS SENDING THE
MESSAGE THAT WE INDEED WANTED TO ABANDON OUR WATER PLANT COMPLETELY AND
DEPEND UPON BOLA BATON FOR ALL OF OUR FUTURE WATER NEEDS. I TOTALLY
DISAGREE WITH THIS PLAN...AND HAVE HAD MY RESERVATIONS ABOUT THE WISDOM
OF SUCH A PLAN FROM THE FIRST DAY I EVER SAT IN THIS CHAIR.
I ALSO AGREE WITH THE BOCA BATON MANAGER WHEN HE STATES...WE AS A TOWN AND
• AS A COMMISSION IN HIGHLAND BEACH...HAVE DONE NOTHING TO TRY AND SOLVE
OUR PROBLEM OURSELVES. WE ARE LIKE A SMALL CHILD WHO HAS EATEN ALL HIS
CANDY...AND THEN GOES CRYING TO BIG BROTHER FOR A BITE OF HIS CANDY TOO:
IT HAS BEEN STATED IN THESE CHAMBERS THAT WE HAVE NO OTHER CHOICE BUT TO
ASK BOCA BATON FOR WATER. THAT IS SIMPLY NOT THE FACTr. THE ENGINEERS
FROM CDM LISTED THIRTEEN ANSWERS TO OUR DILEMMA....THE CHEAPEST OF WHICH
WAS TO DUMP OUR BURDEN UPON THE TAXPAYERS OF BOCA BATON AND BUY CHEAPER
WATER FROM THEM. NOW IT APPEARS THE CITY FATHERS OF BOCA BATON MAY
REALIZE WE IN HIGHLAND BEACH ARE LOOKING FOR AN EASY WAY OUT. THE OTHER
ANSWERS TO SOLVING OUR WATER SHORTAGE ARE IN THE BOOK...BUT THIS COMMISSION
HAS FAILED TO ADDRESS THOSE ANSWERS BECAUSE OF THE COST. WELL IT IS TIME
TO RECOGNIZE THAT ANY ANSWER WILL COST MONEY...INCLUDING A HOOK UP WITH
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BOCA. WE CAN HOWEVER EAS1E THAT BURDEN WITH LONG TERM BONDS.
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• I BELIEVE, IF YOU TELL THE CITIZENS OF OUR TOWN WHAT OUR PROBLEM IS AND
THE COST TO SOLVE THAT PROBLEM, THEY WILL RESPOND TO THE NEED. THIS IS
NOT SOME IMPOVERISHED...LOW INCOME COMMUNITY THAT MUST HAVE A FEDERAL
HANDOUT TO MEET ITS NEEDS. HIGHLAND BEACH IS ONE OF THE WEALTHIEST TOWNS
IN THE COUNTRY, PER CAPITA...AND IT IS ALSO ACRE FOR ACRE ONEOF THE
WEALTHIEST TOWNS IN THE STATE. THERE IS MORE MONEY SPENT ON THE CONSTRUCTION
OF ONE SINGLE FAMILY HOUSE IN HIGHLAND BEACH THAN THE ENTIRE COST OF
BUYING A NEW WELLFIELD AND BRINGING IT ON LINE.
ANOTHER ASPECT MENTIONED IN THE BOCA MANAGERS REPORT IS THE LACK OF CONTROL
OVER HIGHLAND BEACH IN TERMS OF FUTURE GROWTH AND FUTURE WATER DEMANDS.
THE OBVIOUS...UNSTATED ANSWER TO THAT WOULD BE THE ANNEXATION OF THE TOWN
OF HIGHLAND BEACH INTO THE CITY OF BOCA BATON. WE ALL KNOW IT HAS BEEN
DISCUSSED...AND I BELIEVE IT TO BE A STRONG POSSIBILITY IF WE MERGE OUR
• WATER SERVICES WITH BOCA BATON. THIS ANNEXATION ALONE WOULD COST THE
TAXPAYERS OF HIGHLAND BEACH AT LEAST A TWENTY SIX PERCENT INCREASE IN
TAXES AT TODAYS RATES. THAT AMOUNT OF MONEY ALONE...THAT INCREASE...
WOULD PAY FOR THE COST OF OUR OWN WATER EXPANSION IN TWO YEARS TIME.
I BELIEVE THERE ARE OTHER...VIABLE ANSWERS TO OUR WATER NEEDS AND THAT WE
CAN SOLVE THIS PROBLEM GiJRSELVES. FOR T:IE LEADER OF OUR TOWN TO GO HAT
IN HAND AND BEG FOR A DROP OF WATER FROM THE HEARTS OF THE BOLA BATON CITY
COUNCIL IS DEGRADING..
..UNWARRANTED AND UNWISE!
WE CAN AFFORD TO SOLVE OUR OWN PROBLEM AND WE SHOULD HAVE DONE SO YEARS
AGO. IT IS TIME WE AS A COMMISSION FACED UP TO OUR DUTY AND MOVED FORWARD
TO SOLVE OUR OWN PROBLEM...WITH OUR OWN CITIZENS AND OUR OWN MONEY.
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I THINK WE SHOULD MOVE TO APPOINT A CITIZEN TASK FORCE THIS VERY DAY...
AND CHARGE THIS TASK FORCE WITH THE JOB OF FINDING AND PURCHASING A
NEW WELL FIELD FOR OUR TOWN. WE HAVE WASTED FAR TOO MUCH TIME IN
DEBATE ON THIS MATTER. WE CANNOT AFFORD ANOTHER HOUR OF LOST OPPORTUNITY.
THE ANSWERS ARE IN THE BOOK ...NOT IN BOLA. LETS GET ON WITH THE JOB
AND GET IT DONE.
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