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2019.03.21_TC_Minutes_SpecialTOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH TOWN COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING Town Hall / Commission Chambers Date: March 21, 2019 3614 South Ocean Boulevard Time: 1:30 PM Highland Beach, Florida 1. CALL TO ORDER: Mavor Rhoda Zelniker called the Special Meeting to order at 1:30 PM. 2. PRESENT UPON ROLL CALL: Mayor Rhoda Zelniker Commissioner Elyse Riesa Commissioner Peggy Gossett -Seidman Commissioner Barry Donaldson Town Attorney Glen Torcivia Town Manager Marshall Labadie Town Clerk Lanelda Gaskins MEMBER ABSENT: Vice Mayor Alysen A. Nila 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Commission led the Pledge of Allegiance followed by a moment of silence. 4. CIVILITY PLEDGE: Town Clerk Gaskins recited the Civility Pledge. 5. PUBLIC COMMENTS (LIMITED TO SPECIAL MEETING ONLY: 3 MINUTES): The following individuals thanked Commissioner Elyse Riesa for her hard work, dedication and service to the Highland Beach community. They also congratulated newly elected Commissioner Evalyn David and wished her well. John Ross William Weitz Alan Polin Town Commission Special Minutes Date: March 21, 2019 2 of 4 Fred Rosen John Shoemaker, as a new fulltime resident, thanked both Commissioners Riesa and Evalyn David for helping- him to understand all the facts regarding the Ocean Wall: and More referendum. 6. DECLARING THE MARCH 12, 2019 ELECTION RESULTS: Town Clerk Gaskins read the title Proposed Resolution / Election Results into the record. A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COMMISSION OF THE TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA, DECLARING THE RESULTS OF THE GENERAL ELECTION HELD ON MARCH 12,2019; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Town Clerk Gaskins read the Official Results of the March 12, 2019, General Election into the record as follows: Total registered voters 3,712 Total recorded ballots cast 2,045 Commissioner three-year term ending March 2022: Evalyn David — Winner with 990 votes Elyse Riesa — 955 votes Ballot question One (1) received 1,904 no votes and 125 yes votes Ballot question Two (2) received 1,930 no votes and 101 yes votes Ballot question Three (3) received 1,898 no votes and 121 yes votes MOTION: Commissioner Riesa moved to adopt the Proposed Resolution / Election Result. Commissioner Gossett -Seidman seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Commissioner Riesa - Yes Commissioner Gossett -Seidman - Yes Commissioner Donaldson - Yes Mayor Zelniker - Yes Motion passed on a 4 to 0 vote. Commissioner Gossett -Seidman thanked Commissioner Riesa for her service and dedication to the community. She extended congratulations to Evalyn David and looks forward to working together as a Commission. Commissioner Donaldson thanked Commissioner Riesa for her time and participation on the Commission and looks forward to her continued participation in the community. Town Commission Special Minutes Date: March 21, 2019 PaLye 3 of 4 Mayor Zelniker thanked Commissioner Riesa for a job well done and wished her the very best. She mentioned Commissioner Riesa has worked for the Town for years and is the leader of the CERT Emergency Program for the community. Lastly, she congratulated newly elected Commissioner Evalyn David and welcomed her aboard. Commissioner Riesa explained that this is her last day on the Commission and wanted to make certain points. She thanked the residents of the Town for always being so supportive and the wonderful employees of the Town who work so hard for all of us. She is hopeful that the employees will receive the medical plan that she put on the agenda last week but was taken off by the Mayor. She directed her comments to Commissioner Donaldson, Vice Mayor Nila and Mayor Zelniker. Let Town Manager Labadie do his job and let him work the process for future operations and issues that concern the Town. Let the people have a voice because we are residents, and you have no right not to listen to us. It is obvious that the three of you cared nothing about what was said, at the previous meetings regarding the referendum, and the extension we could have had even when lies were told over, and over again. You did not care. You were selfish and you were self-serving. So now, you know there is no silent majority and you cannot rely on Kim Delaney. Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council should be fired and documentation proves that. I would expect the Town Manager to get that back on the agenda and let the records show how you vote. Our residents matter. They pay your small salary and you are not to suppose to take this job for money. You were supposed to take this job for service. All you have been doing is disservice. To Vice Mayor Nila, a special shout out for bullying the attorney, bullying the Town Manager, bullying voluntary residents on boards and our employees. From this moment forward, residents will no longer allow you to divide them. In fact, you united the entire Town. As a candidate, I was berated for letting our residents know the truth and not vote for this referendum. I am proud to have taken a part to kill it. If the three of you had any decency, you would resign. You are ignorant of what this Town desires. You have lost respect for 95% of our Town. The nicest thing I can say to Mayor Zelniker is that she was misled and did not want to understand the facts when they were explained at previous meetings. There are consequences for what you all did and it will not rest here. Commissioner Riesa congratulated Evalyn David and wished her only the best. She hopes she will listen to the people and not be swayed. To do what is right, even when it is hard. Be a voice of reason. She is confident that Evalyn David will be a great Commissioner for our Town. It will take some time but someday with Evalyn David"s help and the change of Commissioners in the near future, this chamber will be respected again. God Bless you and the Town of Highland Beach. 7. SWEARING IN AND SEATING OF THE NEWLY ELECTED OFFICIAL: Town Clerk Gaskins administered the Oath of Office to the newly elected official, Evalyn David. 8. COMMENTS FROM TOWN COMMISSIONERS: Commissioner Donaldson welcomed Commissioner David and looks forward to working with her in all future endeavors. Town Commission Special Minutes Date: March 21, 2019 Page 4 of 4 Commissioner Gossett -Seidman welcomed Commissioner David. She mentioned that it is a pleasure to have an outstanding person with a great background to assist the Town in going forward. Commissioner David thanked everyone for their support. She thanked Elyse Riesa for the great job she has done for this Town. She mentioned that she will be thoughtful and no one pushes her around. Mayor Zelniker welcomed Commissioner David and looks forward to working with her. Town Manager Labadie welcomed Commissioner David. He announced that the Spring Fling Event is Saturday, March 23 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and encouraged the residents to come and enjoy a great day and a spring celebration. 9. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Mayor Zelniker called for a motion to adjourn the meeting at 2:00 PM. MOTION: Commissioner David moved to adjourn the Special Meeting at 2:00 PM. Commissioner Gossett -Seidman seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. APPROVED at the May 7, 2019 Regular Meeting. ATTEST: Lanelda Gaskins, M4IC Town Clerk o Zelniker or i" Co missioner Commissioner Transcribed by: Rosalie DeMartino