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2018.08.21_CEB_Minutes_Special TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH TOWN COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING Town Hall/Commission Chambers Date: August 21, 2018 3614 South Ocean Boulevard Time: 12:30 PM Highland Beach, Florida CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Carl Feldman called the Special Meeting to order at 12:30 PM. PRESENT UPON ROLL CALL: Mayor Carl Feldman Vice Mayor Alysen A. Nila Commissioner Rhoda Zelniker Commissioner Elyse Riesa Commissioner Peggy Gossett-Seidman Interim Town Manager William Thrasher Town Attorney Pamala Ryan u 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. COMMISSION INTERVIEWS OF CANDIDATES FOR THE PERMANENT TOWN MANAGER POSITION: The candidates for the Town Manager position were interviewed by the Commission as follows: William Vance Mr. Vance gave an introduction of his background and professional work experience. Commissioner Gossett-Seidman inquired about his priorities. u Town Commission Special Minutes Date: August 21, 2018 Page 2 of 7 Commissioner Riesa asked about his role as a leader and his thoughts on putting together a five- year strategic plan. Commissioner Zelniker asked Mr. Vance to describe his role as a town manager and his view of customer service. Vice Mayor Nil a inquired about his grant work and time spent on the projects he was involved in during his last position. Mayor Feldman questioned the Commission's role and that of the Town Manager. Mr. Vance answered each Commissioner's questions and explained that he could start mid- October. Mark Stivers Mr. Stivers gave an introduction of his background and professional work experience. Vice Mayor Nil a asked Mr. Stivers to explain his thoughts on communication with the Commission and the staff and how to improve communication with the residents. Commissioner Zelniker questioned Mr. Stivers on keeping the staff encouraged and how he ..� would handle bullying and abusive behavior on the dais and during Commission meetings. Commissioner Riesa asked Mr. Stivers to explain why he would be a good fit for the Town of Highland Beach and what he could do for the community and staff. Commissioner Gossett Seidman questioned Mr. Stivers with regard to his various jobs over the last ten years. Mayor Feldman asked why he would want to work in Highland Beach. Mr. Stivers answered each Commissioner's questions and explained that he would have to give a minimum of two-week's notice to his current employer. Marshall Labadie Mr. Labadie introduced himself to the Commission. Commissioner Zelniker asked how he would work with the Commission, how he would handle some of the future projects such as coordinating with FDOT regarding the crosswalks and any bullying by a resident to a Commissioner. u Town Commission Special Minutes Date: August 21, 2018 Page 3 of 7 Commissioner Riesa asked Mr. Labadie, since he was not a Florida resident, how he would be a good fit for the Town of Highland Beach and why he feels uniquely qualified for the position of Town Manager. Commissioner Gossett-Seidman asked Mr. Labadie to elaborate on the streetscape project that is in the works at his current municipality, such as the type of material being used whether it be pavers or concrete, etc. She mentioned that he is a sworn Code Enforcement Officer in the State of Michigan. Vice Mayor Nila mentioned that his form of government is similar to that of Highland Beach and mentioned that he has a background as an Environmental Manager as well as engineering. She asked that he elaborate on his communication skills, strategic thinking and transparency. Mayor Feldman asked how his family and current boss feel about his relocation and Mr. Labadie advised his family is very supportive. Mr. Labadie answered the questions asked by the Commissioners. His availability for employment would be anywhere from four to six weeks. Thomas G. Bradford Mr. Bradford resides in Tequesta, Florida and gave an introduction of his background and education. Commissioner Riesa asked Mr. Bradford what is his impression of Highland Beach, what unique qualities he could bring to the Town and his thoughts on the role of Town Manager and the Commission. She asked what he would do to help set decorum in Commission meetings. Commissioner Gossett-Seidman asked Mr. Bradford to recap his priorities as Town Manager. She asked what are the similarities and the differences between Palm Beach and Highland Beach and what experiences he could bring to the Town. Vice Mayor Nila asked if having a Human Resources Department would be one of his priorities. She asked him to elaborate on his comment with regard to structured public comments at the Commission meetings. Commissioner Zelniker asked what information does a Commission need concerning day to day operations of the Town Manager's office and its ongoing efforts. She commented on the importance of the crosswalk lighting and inquired as to what he would do to make it happen. She asked him to describe the Town Manager's role in the community. Mayor Feldman commented on the Town Manager being in charge of operations and the hiring and firing of any of the staff except the Chief of Police. Mr. Bradford answered the Commissioner's questions individually. Town Commission Special Minutes Date: August 21, 2018 Page 4 of 7 Kevin Abbate Mr. Abbate resides in Hypoluxo, Florida and has been a resident of Florida for 45 years. Vice Mayor Nil a explained that Mr. Abbate considers himself a change agent, which the Town is in much need of. There needs to be a good collaboration between the staff, the Town Manager and elected officials. She asked how he would improve the communication for the residents. Commissioner Gossett-Seidman mentioned that they talked about teamwork and inquired as to how he would assess staff and other needs. She asked him to describe what experience he has had with code of ordinances and how he would go about updating and modernizing our existing Code of Ordinance book. Commissioner Riesa mentioned that he is a believer in original work and asked why he would be a good fit for the community. She described a situation where he did not do as well as he would have liked and asked how he handled it and what would he have done differently, if anything. Commissioner Riesa questioned Mr. Abbate with regard to FDOT and the crosswalk issues. Mayor Feldman asked Mr. Abbate how he would handle the "mob" bikers who ride six abreast on A 1 A, since Mr. Abbate is a bike rider. Mr. Abbate answered each Commissioner's questions. 2. PUBLIC COMMENT (LIMITED TO SPECIAL MEETING ONLY: 3 MINUTES: The following resident provided comments: David Axelrod 3. FINAL COMMISSION DISCUSSION OF TOWN MANAGER CANDIDATES AND POSSIBLE SELECTION OF TOWN MANAGER: Town Clerk Gaskins distributed ballots to the Commission. Marshall Labadie 3 votes Thomas Bradford 1 vote Kevin Abbate 1 vote A second ballot was cast between Thomas Bradford and Kevin Abbate to determine a back-up. Thomas Bradford 2 votes Kevin Abbate 3 votes Town Commission Special Minutes Date: August 21, 2018 Page 5 of 7 MOTION: Commissioner Gossett-Seidman moved to appoint Marshall Labadie as Town Manager with Kevin Abbate to be the back-up person should negotiations fail with Mr. Labadie. The motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Nila. UPON ROLL CALL: Commissioner Gossett-Seidman - Yes Vice Mayor Nila - Yes Commissioner Riesa - Yes Commissioner Zelniker - Yes Mayor Feldman - Yes Motion passed on a 5 to 0 vote. MOTION: Commissioner Zelniker moved to appoint Vice Mayor Nila as the negotiator along with Town Attorney Ryan. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Gossett-Seidman. UPON ROLL CALL: Commissioner Zelniker - Yes Commissioner Gossett-Seidman - Yes Commissioner Riesa - Yes Vice Mayor Nila - Yes Mayor Feldman - No Motion passed on a 4 to 1 vote. Discussion ensued with regard to the appointment of the Interim Town Manager. Commissioner Riesa explained that the Charter states that the Town Clerk is to become the Interim Town Manager until a Town Manager is appointed. Commissioner Zelniker was under the impression that Town Clerk Gaskins was not in favor of being the Interim Town Manager and asked that Deputy Town Clerk Cuebas assume the responsibility. Town Clerk Gaskins informed the Town Attorney that she would accept the position and perform her duties as Interim Town Manager. Town Attorney yan explained that there is a section in the code that allows the Commission to appoint an individual. Town Clerk Gaskins explained her reason for accepting the position at this time. Deputy Town Clerk Cuebas explained that she is in support of whatever decision the Commission makes. MOTION: Commissioner Zelniker moved to appoint Deputy Town Clerk Terisha Cuebas as Interim Town Manager. The motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Nila. Town Commission Special Minutes Date: August 21, 2018 Page 6 of 7 UPON ROLL CALL: Commissioner Zelniker - Yes Vice Mayor Nila - Yes Commissioner Riesa - No Commissioner Gossett-Seidman - No Mayor Feldman - No Motion failed on a 3 to 2 vote. MOTION: Commissioner Gossett-Seidman moved to appoint Town Clerk Gaskins as Interim Town Manager/Town Clerk Ex Officio. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Riesa. Discussion ensued regarding a salary increase for Town Clerk Gaskins and Deputy Town Clerk Cuebas. UPON ROLL CALL: Commissioner Gossett-Seidman - Yes Commissioner Riesa - Yes Commissioner Zelniker - Yes Vice Mayor Nila - Yes Mayor Feldman - Yes Motion passed on a 5 to 0 vote. Discussion ensured with regard to the relocation costs for the new Town Manager. Commissioner Riesa suggested to look at how the City of Delray Beach handled their relocation cost for their new hire; such as meals, housing, moving cost, travel and how long the person would be given for temporary housing. The Commission thanked William Thrasher for his excellent work as Interim Town Manager and wished him well in his retirement. Mayor Feldman inquired about Colin Baenziger, Inc. payment for services rendered. Discussion ensued. Town Attorney Ryan will look contact Mr. Baenziger to negotiate the fee due him. 4. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Mayor Feldman called for a motion to adjourn the meeting. MOTION: Commissioner Gossett-Seidman moved to adjourn the meeting at 4:15 PM. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Zelniker. Town Commission Special Minutes Date: August 21, 2018 Page 7 of 7 �s APPROVED: Alysen Nila, V ee Mayor Commissioner Commissioner ATTEST: u' Transcribed by: Rosalie DeMartino j0ld-Ld6d Lanelda Gaskins,XIMC ate Town Clerk u'