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1987.07.14_TC_Minutes_WorkshopTOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA • Minutes of Meeting of Town Commission WORKSHOP MEETING RE LONG TERM WATER REPORT Tuesday, July 14, 1987 1:30 p.m. A Workshop Meeting of the Town Commission was called to order by Mayor Betty Jean Stewart at 1:40 p.m. in the Town Commission Chambers at Town Hall. Others in attendance were Town Commissioners John J. Basso, David T. Robinson and Robert F. Scholz. Vice Mayor Blosser was absent. Also present were Town Manager Hugh D. Williams; Utilities Director Jack Lee; Town Clerk Mary Ann Mariano; and members of the general pub- lic. Present representing Camp Dresser & McKee, the Town's engineers, were Gary Whit, Water Resources Group Manager and Steve Hyborn, engineer. It was the consensus that an overview of the project was not necessary prior to discussing specific aspects of the Long Term Water Report. Commissioner Scholz expressed his interest in the Town's possible ac~ quisition of the Texas Trail property for a wellfield, asking whether Boca Raton had been approached with regard to this matter. Mr. Whit noted that Boca Raton held a 99 year lease on the property, however, it was owned by Palm Beach County. Mr. Whit further noted that Boca Raton • City Manager, Mr. Rutherford, had stated that he did not see any major objections in using the site as a wellfield, however, the terms of the lease need to be reviewed. Mayor Stewart cited a July 6, 1987 letter from Manager Rutherford to the Boca Raton City Council which relates to this matter. Mayor Stewart stated that regardless of pride in self- determination etc., the Town's first concern is having water. The Town has to be involved with the City of Boca Raton regardless of whether we choose to or not inasmuch as that is where our water plant is and that is where the wells will be and any other resource that will be used for the provision of water. Mr. Williams noted that he had recently attended a FIND meeting wherein an Attorney General's Opinion had been cited which stated that a 99 year lease is in effect a sale. This matter will be further studied. It was noted that Boca Raton staff is presently producing a report to express their concerns with the alternatives which will involve Boca Raton. The Boca Raton City Council will meet on July 27, 1987 at 1:30 p.m. during which time this matter will be scheduled for discussion. It is anticipated that subsequent to the July 27, 1987 Boca Raton meeting, a joint meeting with the Highland Beach Town Commission will be reques- ted to discuss the Boca related alternatives. Commissioner Robinson stated that the Town's first priority is to work with Boca Raton due to the location of the Town's treatment plan, and feels that anything outside of the Boca Raton area is prohibitive in nature. Commissioner Basso stated that he had read through the report and came to the conclusion that we have to work with the City of Boca Raton, whether it is through acquisition of property, leasing of water, or r . Town Commission Workshop Meeting re Long Term Water Report July 14, 1987 Page 2 of S" another alternative. Commissioner Basso further stated that the Town should try to work with Boca Raton in obtaining the figures for the Boca related alternatives and see what the Boca Raton City Council is willing to do prior to making any determination in this matter. Mr. Whit pointed out that the cost factors in the report do not reflect any land costs which will need to be studied. Commissioner Basso expressed a concern regarding the recent discussions as to the capabilities of the water system and its pressure to fight fires in Town. Commissioner Robinson noted that a memorandum had just been received from the Utilities Director which pointed out that the water pressure in Town was adequate for the needs of the fire depart- ment. Commissioner Robinson then addressed Alternative #6, being a 16" treat- - ed water interconnect with Boca Raton at a capital cost of $139,750, noting the fact that Boca Raton is putting a new skytank within 800' of the Town's present water line. Further, SFWMD would not be involved in . the permitting process under this alternative. Mr. Whit noted that Boca Raton's current wellfield capacity is 76 mgd operating through a 60 mgd plant, which planned for expansion. This alternative would have to be through an agreement between Highland Beach and Boca Raton. Mr. Whit noted that in speaking to staff at Boca Raton, they stated that Boca ras interested in assisting Highland Beach to resolve the water concerns. Mr. Whit also noted that in discussions with SFMWD, they felt that a tie in with the City of Boca Raton would be a positive step for the Town of Highland Beach. Answering Commissioner Robinson's inquiry, Mr. Whit noted that it would take approximately 2 years to put this alternative into operation. Mayor Stewart then asked as to the status of the permitting on the inr terim well project. Mr. Whit indicated that the Town had the well construction permit and water use modification permit from SFWMD. The DER has requested additional information with regard to the well design which has been supplied, and the permit is awaited. Once the DER permit is received, the Town will have to obtain a building permit from Boca Raton prior to construction. At the request of the Mayor, Mr. Whit will furnish a listing of necessary permit and their status. An update on the current projects will also be furnished. Mr. Williams will be meeting with Jay Ameno of CDM on Thursday, July 16, 1987, which will further assist in determining the status of the current projects. Mr. Williams noted his interest in Alternative #13, being the provision of a reverse osmosis facility, feeling that the advantages over a long period of time would offset the cost of approximately 7.4 million. The Town is awaiting a report on Boynton Beach's pilot program of reverse . Town Commission Workshop Meeting re Long Term Water Report July 14, 1987 Page 3 of 5 osmosis. It was the general consensus of the Town Commission that this alternative was cost prohibitive and more conducive to larger communi- ties. Mayor Stewart then noted several water charts which had been submitted to the Town Commission by Attorney Nancy Graham during the July 6, 1987 Public Hearing. Mayor Stewart noted that some of the statistical infor- mation on the charts was marked to have come from Camp Dresser & McKee, and therefore, should be confirmed by Mr. Whit. Mayor Stewart also noted that Jack Lee, Utilities Director, had supplied the actual raw water pumpages for the years 1984, 1985, and 1986 which would be dis- tributed to the Town Commission. Further, Bruce Sutherland, Building Official was compiling figures of actual dwelling units in Town which would be distributed as well. Commissioner Robinson stated that he did not agree with the conclusions drawn by the charts which had been submitted by Attorney Graham at the July 6, 1987 Public Hearing on behalf of Broadview Savings and Loan, and such charts and testimony had no influence on his judgement in the • matter of the building moratorium. When Alternative #11 was discussed, which involved the pumping of raw water from Boca Raton and treating it with the existing facilities, Mr. Whit indicated that due to the capital costs involved in the actual piping, it was not as feasible as Alternative #6. Mr. Whit also stated that in his discussions with Boca Raton staff, they were not as amen- able to pumping raw water as to pumping treated water. Mayor Stewart recommended that the Town Manager and Utilities Director look into the costs of upgrading the interconnect between Boca Raton and Highland Beach to make the interconnect more operable and provide another line across the Intracoastal. Jack Lee stated that the present 6" line would not handle the volume of water which would be needed by the Town in case of an emergency and in such instance, Delray's Inter- connect would need to be utilized. It was noted that there is a meter at the Boca Interconnect, but not at the Delray Interconnect. Mr. Williams suggested that if the Boca Raton interconnect were upgraded, such upgrade should include a pressurized system which would automatic- ally open up should emergency conditions exist. Mr. Williams will look into this matter. Mr. Williams noted that if water was purchased from Boca Raton, the current cost for Boca residents is $.65 per 1800 gallons, which cost could be taxed by a 25~ surcharge, however, the Town would have to negotiate with Boca Raton to arrive at any agreeable arrangement. • Town Commission Workshop Meeting re Long Term Water Report • July 14, 1987 Page 4 of 5 Some discussion took place regarding "peak shaving" off of Boca Raton's water supply. Mr. Whit noted that this might not be amenable to Boca Raton in that they would want knowledge of when and how their system was being utilized. Further, Mr. Whit indicated that this would require the upgrading of the salt water intrusion. monitoring program, and that this would be considered a short term solution. Mr. Whit reminded the Town Commission that the SFWMD permit calls for the Town to effectuate a long term solution to supply water to the Town by 2/14/89. Mr. Whit also noted that any delays might cause the new regional water supply district to mandate the Town to hook up to the county water supply. The Town Commission assured Mr. Whit that they were intending to solve the water issue as soon as possible. Commissioner Basso requested Mr. Whit's comments be forwarded to the Town in a letter, however, it was the consensus of the Town Commission that the comments made were part of the record which would suffice. Mayor Stewart then noted her attendance at a recent Lake Worth Drainage District meeting where an item discussed involved the possibility of requiring landscaping to be such that would use less water to decrease . the water useage in Town. The Town Commission concurred that the Mayor compile information which may be added to the Town Code in order to accomplish this. The Town Hall might be used as an example of the new landscaping concept. Mayor Stewart advised that there had been some revisions to the June 20 memorandum regarding water, which will be distributed. Regarding the scheduled July 21, 1987 budget workshop, Mr. Williams noted that the Financial Advisory Board would be meeting on July 2P1 to hopefully finalize their review. Although Mr. Williams recommended the rerscheduling of this meeting in order to provide the Town Commission with a draft prepared after the FAB's review, it was the consensus of the Town Commission that the July 21, 1987 meeting be conducted. Mr. Williams was directed to have the current draft of the budget distribu- ted to the Town Commission by Friday, July 17. It was further noted that the Town Commission would be holding a Special Meeting on July 28 in order to set the millage and therefore the cancellation of the meet ing on July 21 would not be feasible. Mayor Stewart noted that she had received a call from John Toshner, of Gee and Jensen, on behalf of Peter Ince, Developer, who was scheduled to appear before the Board of Adjustment on July 20, 1987 regarding a variance. Mr. Toshner advised that he had been requested to appear on behalf of and at the expense of Mr. Ince before the Board of Adjustment to address the variance in terms of zoning. Mr. Toshner requested quid- . ance from the Town Commission in this matter. It was the opinion of the 1/~ Town Commission Workshop Meeting re Long Term Water Report July 14, 1987 Page 5 of 5 Town Commission that Mr. Toshner should not appear on Mr. Ince's behalf inasmuch as this might be a potential conflict in Mr. Toshner's repre- sentation of the Town in its land use planning areas. Mayor Stewart will so advise Mr. Toshner. There being no further business to come before the Town Commission at this Workshop Meeting, it was adjourned at 2:50 p.m. APPROVED: %~ _ MAYOR ETTY JEAN STEWART VICF~MAYOR p~ARY LOUISE G. BLOSSER JOHN J. BA CO'MMIS5IONE~2 DAVCID T. ROBINSON -....-r ~. ~------~- ~. COMMISS NER ROBERT F. SCHOL ATTEST: DATE: '/, ~9 ~' 7 •