1984.10.30_TC_Minutes_Workshop~ `.
TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA
Minutes of Meeting of Town Commission
WORKSHOP MEETING
TUESDAY, October 30, 1984 9.30 A M
A Workshop Meeting of the Town Commission was called to order in
the Town Commission Chambers by Mayor Louis Y. Horton. Also
present were: Vice Mayor Mary Louise G. Blosser and Commissioners
John J. Basso, William E. Paul, and Betty Jean Stewart.
Also present were: Town Attorney Thomas E. Sliney, Acting Town
Manager Mary Ann Whaley, Police Chief William Cecere, Building
Official Bruce Sutherland, Utilities Director William Joseph Moss,
Deputy Town Clerk Elizabeth L. Kolek, citizens, and the general
public.
84.1 Public Comments and Requests
Mr. Terry Kinser addressed the Town Commission and requested their
help with sewer hook-up charges for his residence now under
construction at 2564 South Ocean Boulevard. Attorney Thomas E.
Sliney will research the matter. This will be discussed further
at the Regular Meeting of the Town Commission on November 7, 1984.
• Mr. A. Hartman of 4404 South Ocean Boulevard addressed the Town
Commission regarding the unsightly grey construction fence across
from his property and asked what could be done about it to enhance
it. Mr. and Mrs. Hartman volunteered to donate the first 20 bushes
towards landscaping to obscure the fence. Mayor Horton stated that
the property involved has a new owner and is to commence construction
soon whereby the appearance problem will alleviate itself.
Mr. Abraham Futernick of 3400 South Ocean Boulevard (Coronado)
addressed the Town Commission regarding the near drowning at their
beach area last week and made some suggestions that the Town could
incorporate for a safer Town.
Mr. Michael Dent commented that he opposes the Police Department
being used as a rescue squad and also inquired about the status of
hiring a new Town Manager. Mayor Horton announced that ads are
being published in local newspapers and professional journals.
Mr. Dent also suggested that a committee of Town residents be
formed to help select the new Town Manager.
84.2 Boards and Committees
Vacancies on several boards were discussed. A vacancy on the
Board of Adjustment and the Community-Appearance Board will be
• filled at the Regular Meeting on November 7, 1984.
•
Town Commission Workshop Meeting
October 30, 1984 Page 2 of 6
84.3 Proposed Ordinances and Resolutions
(a) AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA,
AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE TOWN OF
HIGHLAND BEACH, CHAPTER 21, ENTITLED "SEAWALLS,
BULKHEADS, RETAINING WALLS", SECTION 21-1(d)(7).
This Ordinance was scheduled for final reading at the November 7,
1984 Regular Meeting.
(b) AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA,
AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE TOWN OF
HIGHLAND BEACH, CHAPTER 2 ENTITLED "ADMINISTRATION",
SECTION 2-5, ENTITLED "GENERAL SUPERVISION OVER TOWN
AFFAIRS: SUSPENSION OF TOWN OFFICERS", BY REPEALING
SAME.
This Ordinance was scheduled for final reading at the November 7,
1984 Regular Meeting.
(c) AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA,
AMENDING CHAPTER 282, ENTITLED "TREES, SHRUBS, AND
VEGETATION", SECTION 282-13 ENTITLED "DEFINITIONS",
SUB-SECTION (h).
• This Ordinance was scheduled for final reading at the November 7,
1984 Regular Meeting.
(d) AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA,
AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE TOWN OF
HIGHLAND BEACH, CHAPTER 6, ENTITLED "BEACHES AND
BOATS", BY ADDING A SECTION ENTITLED "LIVING ABOARD
BOATS PROHIBITED."
This Ordinance was scheduled for final reading at the November 7,
1984 Regular Meeting.
(e) AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA,
AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE TOWN OF
HIGHLAND BEACH, CHAPTER 22, ENTITLED "SEWERS",
SECTION 22-2 ENTITLED "SEWER SERVICE CHARGES" TO
ELIMINATE CURRENT SURCHARGE.
This Ordinance was scheduled for first reading at the November 7,
1984 Regular Meeting.
(f) PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 2 RELATING TO
BOARDS AND COMMITTEES TO TRACT ZONING ORDINANCE.
• Attorney Sliney stated that he needed more information from the
Town Commission. Tom Sliney will submit this Ordinance to the
Town Commission at the November 27, 1984 Workshop Meeting.
Town Commission Workshop Meeting
October 30, 1984 Page 3 of 6
. (g) PROPOSED ORDINANCE REGARDING EMERGENCY SEAWALL
MEASURES.
Mayor Horton read the recommendation from the Code Enforcement
Board. Attorney Sliney will research the matter further with a
view towards drafting an ordinance requiring private owners to
periodically inspect seawalls,. filing a Certificate of Inspection
with the Town.
(h) PROPOSED ORDINANCE ADOPTING PALM BEACH COUNTY FIRE
CODE.
This Ordinance was scheduled for first reading at the November 7,
1984 Regular Meeting.
(i) PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO CHAPTER 23, ENTITLED "SIGNS
AND ADVERTISING".
With regard to the proposed amendments as proposed by the Community
Appearance Board, the Building Official will submit his suggestions
and recommendations in a written report.
84 48 Proposed Sale of Thomas Communications (Highland Beach
Cable Television) to Centel.
• Attorney Cormac Conahan (Thomas Communications d/b/a Highland Beach
Cable Television) and Mr. Hutton (Centel) addressed the Town
Commission regarding the present status. A Resolution will be
submitted by Town Attorney Sliney authorizing the transfer of
assets and ground lease from Thomas Communications to Centel on
November 7, 1984 at the Regular Meeting. Attorney Sliney requested
that any further Town Commission input be submitted to him prior
to the Regular Meeting.
84.49 Status of Ad Hoc Evaluation Committee.
Reevaluation of goals and ob-iectives to be discussed.
After discussion, it was the concensus of the Town Commission that,
for the time being, this committee should be inactive relative to
personnel matters. The Town Commission requested this Committee to
undertake an insurance and fringe benefits study. Dr. Tomeski
indicated that the Ad Hoc Evaluation Committee would be meeting on
November 14, 1984 and would respond after that meeting.
84.42 Statu_s__of Drexel Management project.
Mr. Earl Totz and Mr. Gordon Latz (Vice President of Drexel
Management, Inc.) addressed the Town Commission and asked for an
extension of time to the 1980 Stipulation Agreement on the basis
that the delay was not caused by Drexel Management. Attorney Sliney
will check on the original permit application numbers, if they were
changed and applied to new permits or not, as per Commissioner
Stewart's question. Mr. Sliney asked that Drexel Management submit,
in a letter, that all permits have been received by them with copies
of the permits included with the letter. This matter will be on
the November 7, 1984 Regular Meeting Agenda under Items Left Over.
Town Commission Workshop Meeting
October 30, 1984
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Page 4 of 6
84.49 Highland Beach/Delray Beach Sewer Issue Status
Mayor Horton stated that a report is expected by the end of the
week from the engineering firm of Greeley & Hanson.
84.46 Status of request r
Highland roof_
truc
After discussion, the Town Commission directed°Attorney Sliney
to check into the legal aspects of the structure on the Regency
Highlands roof and other such structures in Town that were
erected without a Building Permit. Attorney Sliney will write a
letter to the structure owners notifying them that such structures
had been erected in violation of the Town Code and must be removed
within a reasonable time frame to be determined by the Town
Attorney and the Building Official. The pending request will be
denied on the same basis. If the owners do not comply, the
concensus was that the matter will go before the Code Enforcement
Board.
REPORTS - TOWN COMMISSION
Mayor Louis Y. Horton -
Mayor Horton stated that several applications for the position of
Town Manager have already been received. The applications will be
numbered as they arrive and will be kept in a folder in the office
at Town Hall for the Commissioners examination. Mayor Horton also
stated that the Palm Beach County Municipal League volunteered
their services in helping the Town Commission to screen the many
applications that are expected.
Regarding the A.T.T. divestiture, Mayor Horton stated that no
conclusions have been reached yet.
Rainbow Landscaping will soon submit updated plans and quotes in
order to begin the planting at the Water Treatment Plant site.
Installation of the artificial seaweed to help control beach
erosion, Seascape, will begin shortly after November 15, 1984,
since permits have been received and the owners of the 1200 feet
of property are in agreement.
Vice Mayor Mary Louise G. Blosser -
Vice Mayor Blosser discussed the
and what possibilities might be
decided at the November 7, 1984
• Vice Mayor Blosser discussed the
County and the Town which would
and the eligibility of residents
on boards, as stated in the Tow
Kinser property sewer connection
available. This matter will be
Regular Meeting.
uniform election date for the
change the date from May to March
for elected office in Town and
n Charter, Attorney Sliney will
Town Commission Workshop Meeting
October 30, 1984 Page 5 of 6
• research all the requirements involved and if the changes in
the election date will need a voter referendum or an ordinance.
In regard to joining the uniform election date, all Town
Commissioners were in agreement that this be done. This matter
will be on the Agenda for the November 7, 1984 Regular Meeting.
Commissioner John J. Basso - No report.
Commissioner William E. Paul - No report.
Commissioner Betty Jean Stewart -
Commissioner Stewart suggested that due to the recent near
drowning in the surf within the Town, an announcement could be
placed in the Bulletin to encourage beach users to be aware of
rough surf and its ramifications. Commissioner Basso suggested
that the Town have warning posters printed and distributed
throughout the Town. Acting Town Manager suggested a Public
Service Bulletin to cover suggestions for safety. Much discussion
ensued. Mayor Horton stated that he plans to place articles in
the Bulletin regarding this topic.
REPORTS - TOWN ATTORNEY
The status of Southern Bell Study - Mayor Horton stated previously
. that there were no conclusions reached yet.
Status of Gee and Jenson Contract - Attorney Sliney stated that
he did not feel that it was necessary for the Town to renew or
enter into a contract with Gee and Jenson at the present time
and that under the. prior three-year contract, which expired on
November 24, 1984, for the next three years, Gee and Jenson cannot
testify against us but they car. testify for us, for a fee agreed
upon by the Town.
Status of Pending Lawsuits - (1) There is nothing new to report
regarding Itco Properties; (2) Regarding Ocean Terrace, the case
is now between the Federal and State courts; (3) A preliminary
hearing regarding Boca Hi is scheduled for the January 3, 1985
docket; and (4) Attorneys for Hans Stuting are commencing litigation
against the Town regarding a drowning incident occuring in 1982.
REPORTS - TOWN MANAGER
Acting Town Manager Mary Ann Whaley stated that the last public
hearing for special exception regarding a request by Beach Walk
West for extension of their .sales trailer permit (their request
was made before the new Zoning Ordinance went into effect) will
be held on Wednesday, November 7, 1984, prior to the Town Commission
Regular Meeting.
C~
Town Commission Workshop Meeting
October 30, 1984
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Page 6 of 6
Mrs. Whaley requested that the requests for extension of the
sales trailer permits for Ocean Terrace, Royal Highlands, and
Highlands Place be placed on the Consent Agenda of the November 7,
1984 Regular Meeting. Under the new Zoning Ordinance, they only
need simple Town Commission approval and do not have to go through
the hearing process.
A request was received from Kelton and Associates for support of
continuing the Dual Taxation Suit and requested a letter from
the Town stating same. The concensus was that the Town Commission
does not find it financially feasable to continue to support the
Dual Taxation Suit.
A Certificate of Occupancy was issued for the rennovations at
Seacliff.
The 1984-85 fiscal year Town Budget has been accepted and certified
with copies sent to the four required state agencies with certificates
of compliance.
Arthur Strock and Associates have invited the Town Officials to
the dedication ceremony of the newly refurbished beach at Delray
Beach, to be held at 10 a.m. on November 2, 1984, with a luncheon
• to follow.
There being no further business, the Workshop Meeting of the Town
Commission was adjourned at 1:00 P. M.
L_,
APPROVED:
Mayor is Y. Horton
ATTEST:
i~~~~
To C lerk
DATE : °~~ ~' ~. A~c~~
• 7
Vice Qor Mar L' ise G. Blosser
Co '. sion John J. Basso
-- ~~_~~
Commissioner illiam E. Paul
Cotrmr3ssioner Betty Jean Stewart