2018.06.12_TC_Minutes_Special TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH
TOWN COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING
Town Hall/Commission Chambers Date: June 12,2018
3614 South Ocean Boulevard Time: 1:30 PM
Highland Beach, Florida
CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Carl Feldman called the Special Meeting to order at 10:00 AM.
PRESENT UPON ROLL CALL:
Mayor Carl Feldman
Vice Mayor Alysen A.Nila
Commissioner Rhoda Zelniker
Commissioner Elyse Riesa
Commissioner Peggy Gossett-Seidman
Town Attorney Pamala Ryan
Town Manager William Thrasher
Town Clerk Lanelda Gaskins
Pledge of Allegiance:
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Commission, followed by a moment of silence.
Civility Pledge:
Town Clerk Gaskins recited the Civility Pledge.
1. ADDITIONS,DELETHONS OR ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA:
Commissioner Riesa added discussion with regard to mandatory attendance by advisory board
members at Commission meetings as Item 6.
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REOUESTS RELATED TO AGENDA ITEMS
DISCUSSED AT MEETING ONLY:
The following residents provided comments:
Maydee Weiner
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Date: June 12,2018
Page 2 of 6
Carl Gehman
Rick Greenwald
Peter Corrales
David Axelrod, Chair of Planning Board
Jackie Phelan
Gilda Corrales
3. SELECTION OF AN EXECUTIVE RECRUITER FOR PERMANENT TOWN
MANAGER POSITION:
Town Attorney Ry presented this item. The following proposals were received from the three
recruiting firms:
Colin Baenzinger& Associates $26,500.00
Korn Ferry $44,800.00
The Mercer Group $15,750.00
Commission Discussion:
Commissioner Gossett-Seidman commented that the Mercer Group had great success in the City
of Delray and was considering retaining their services for the hiring of a Town Manager for
Highland Beach.
Commissioner Riesa asked that Interim Town Manager Thrasher give his opinion prior to her
making any decision.
Commissioner Zelniker explained that it was important to have a strong and experienced Town
Manager. She was considering both Korn Ferry and Colin Baenzinger & Associates and would
like to have a discussion with the other Commissioners before making a final decision.
Mayor Feldman was in favor of Colin Baenzinger&Associates.
Interim Town Manager Thrasher explained that he was familiar with Colin Baenzinger &
Associates and provided a description of the company's background. He has worked with Colin
Baenzinger over the years and would recommend this firm. He recommended that the
Commission try and negotiate the fee.
Commissioner Riesa agreed with Interim Town Manager Thrasher and recommended retaining
Colin Baenzinger& Associates.
Vice Mayor Nil a explained that Korn Ferry performed extensive personality assessments which
was an important factor in hiring a new Town Manager and explained her reasons for
recommending the firm of Korn Ferry.
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Date: June 12,2018
Page 3 of 6
Discussion ensued regarding the hiring of an executive recruiting firm.
MOTION: Commissioner Riesa moved to hire Colin Baenzinger & Associates and have the
Interim Town Manager Thrasher assist in the re-negotiation and discussion of the salary. The
motion was seconded by Commissioner Gossett-Seidman.
UPON ROLL CALL:
Commissioner Riesa - Yes
Commissioner Gossett-Seidman - Yes
Commissioner Zelniker - Yes
Vice Mayor Nila - No
Mayor Feldman - Yes
Motion passes on a 4 to 1 vote.
Town Clerk Gaskins read Resolution No. 18-005 R into the record.
4. RESOLUTION NO. 18-005 R
A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COMMISSION OF THE TOWN OF HIGHLAND
BEACH, FLORIDA, ISSUING A NOTICE OF INTENT TO ADOPT A MORATORIUM
ON ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS AND ISSUING BUILDING PERMITS IN THE
RESIDENTIAL SINGLE FAMILY (RS) ZONING DISTRICT AND THE RESIDENTIAL
SINGLE FAMILY ESTATES LOTS (RE) DISTRICT AS IT RELATES TO NEW
CONSTRUCTION, RENOVATION, AND CONSTRUCTION THAT INCREASES THE
SIZE OF THE EXISTING STRUCTURE MORE THAN THIRTY PERCENT OR
WHERE THE COST OF THE IMPROVEMENTS EXCEEDS THIRTY PERCENT OF
THE EXISTING STRUCTURE; PROHIBITING THE ISSUANCE OF BUILDING
PERMITS; DIRECTING THE TOWN CLERK TO SCHEDULE A PUBLIC HEARING
ON THE MORATORIUM; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Interim Town Manager Thrasher introduced Marty Minor, Planner with the firm of Urban
Design Kilday Studios in West Palm Beach.
Interim Town Manager Thrasher explained that this resolution was related exclusively to the idea
that the Town should give consideration to making certain amendments to Section 30 of the
zoning code. Mr. Minor would give recommendations to the Planning Board which would come
back to the Commission for adoption by ordinance. The Construction Manual would be
introduced at the Planning Board meeting on June 20th.
Marty Minor, Planner addressed the concerns in Highland Beach regarding the construction
issues and the deficiencies in the Town codes. He explained the process that he would introduce
to the Planning Board along with his recommendations.
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Date: June 12,2018
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Discussion ensued about the overwhelming amount and type of construction going on in
Highland Beach, parking of construction vehicles, debris in the roads, landscaping, drainage,
updating the Town codes and enforcement of the laws.
Commissioner Riesa explained that there was a sense of urgency from the residents and the
problems needed to be fixed immediately.
Commissioner Gossett-Seidman questioned why a moratorium was needed. Mr. Minor
explained the moratorium identifies the problem and was used as a pause to get the codes in
order.
Mayor Feldman explained that the codes are already in existence. There needs to be better
enforcement through the Police Department and the Building Department. He was not in favor
of Resolution No. 18-005 R.
Vice Mayor Nila was not in favor of a moratorium and explained there needs to be better
enforcement of the existing codes.
Discussion ensued with regarding SAFEbuilt and the possibility of the Town having a full-time
Planner.
Interim Town Manager Thrasher explained the duties of the Planner. He also addressed the
Construction Traffic Management Plan which would help in the enforcement of the day-to-day
management of construction sites and will be heard at the Planning Board Meeting.
Kenneth Bauer, Building Official addressed the code enforcement issue which is complaint base.
Discussion ensued with regard to the responsibilities of the Code Enforcement Officer and the
Building Official.
Town Attorney Ryan referred to Chapter XII (Construction Sites) in the Town Code. The
Building Official needs to be responsible for monitoring the construction sites.
It was the consensus of the Commission not to adopt Resolution No. 18-005 R.
A) ALLOCATION OF FUNDS
MOTION: Commissioner Zelniker moved to allocate funds in the amount of$15,000 to allow
Interim Town Manager Thrasher to hire Marty Minor of Urban Design Kilday Studios to do the
planning for the future and look into the zoning for Highland Beach. The motion was seconded
by Commissioner Riesa.
UPON ROLL CALL:
Commissioner Zelniker - Yes
Commissioner Riesa - Yes
Commissioner Gossett-Seidman - Yes
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Date: June 12, 2018
Page 5 of 6
Vice Mayor Nila - Yes
Mayor Feldman - Yes
Motion passed on a 5 to 0 vote.
5. LINES) OF RESPONSIBILITY
Interim Town Manager Thrasher asked for clarification as to assignments or special projects
given to individual Commissioners.
Discussion ensued with regard to the Commissioners working as a team, making decisions as a
team and taking direction from the Town Manager. The Town Manager is the person who
makes the decisions.
6. Discussion with Regard to Mandatory Attendance by Advisory Board Members at
Commission Meetings—Commissioner Riesa
Commissioner Riesa addressed the mandatory attendance by advisory board members adopted
by Ordinance No. 18-004 O and requested Section 2.97 be omitted from the ordinance. The
Chair or designee of the advisory board may attend if there is an item on the agenda related to
their board, but it should not be mandatory.
Discussion ensued with regard to advisory board members attending the Commission meetings.
Town AttorneyRyan will bring back the ordinance that has already been approved. There will
be a new ordinance that will delete Section 2.97 and in all other respects, it will remain the same.
7. ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, Mayor Feldman called for a motion to adjourn the meeting.
MOTION: Commissioner Riesa moved to adjourn the meeting at 3:54 PM. The motion was
seconded by Commissioner Zelniker.
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Date: June 12,2018
Page 6 of 6
APPROVED:
Car Fel ayor
Commissioner
Z 114,
Commissioner
ATTEST: Transcribed by: Rosalie DeMartino
Lanel a Gaskins, MMQ Date