1981.01.30_TC_Minutes_Workshop~ ~
TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA
Minutes of Meeting of Town Commission
Workshop Meeting
Januar 30, 1981 2.30 P.M
Mayor Horton called the Workshop Meeting to order at 2:30 P.M. Those
in attendance were: Mayor Louis Y. Horton, Vice Mayor Harold C. Storm,
and Commissioners Mary Louise G. Blosser, Peter J. Genovese and John J.
Basso. Also in attendance were: Elaine W. Roberts, Town Manager;
Thomas E. Sliney, Town Attorney, and Jane E. Barker, Town Clerk.
Messrs. Tom Gullett, Highland Beach Cable TV, and Elton Ashcraft, of
Teleprompter, were in the audience as well, representing their respec-
tive Cable TV companies.
Mayor Horton stated that the one main reason for this Workshop Meeting
was to discuss the Cable TV Franchise Ordinance. If time allowed, the
"Friends of the Library" would also be discussed.
• Mr. Sliney had given the Commission a letter dated January 29, 1981
indicating the slight changes be had made in the new draft of the
ordinance.
The franchise fee was discussed as to whether it was 3% or 5% and Mr.
Gullett explained the reason for this difference. After talking about
this for awhile, the Commission agreed that they would go along with
the 3% fee right now and if the Federal Communications Commission
comes up with something different, they would have to take steps to
amend it later. This would have to be changed by ordinance, Mayor
Horton said.
The next matter discussed was the length of term of the contract
(Item No. 3 of Mr. Sliney's letter of January 29, 1981). A fifteen-
year contract is normal procedure, Mr. Gullett informed the Commission.
Much discussion ensued with both Mr. Ashcraft and Mr. Gullett expressing
their opinions regarding this.
The Commissioners then wrote on slips of paper the number of years they
wanted the contract to run, .with three Commissioners voting for a
twelve-year contract and two Commissioners voting .for fifteen years.
Both Mr. Ashcraft and Mr. Gullett stated they could not live with a
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• Minutes Highland Beach
Town Commission
Workshop Meeting
January 30, 1981
Page 2 of 4
twelve-year contract and further discussion ensued with another
vote being taken. This time the vote was for a fifteen-year
contract by a majority of three to two.
Item No. 4 of Mr. Sliney's letter concerned the locating of all
facilities underground. Questions were raised about the word "all"
facilities. Wording to the effect that the facilities be under-
ground "where feasible" with the understanding that if not feasible,
permission would have to be received from the Town Commission.
The Commission talked about Item No. 5 and all were in agreement
about the service policy section being expanded.
"Rates" (Item No. 6) was the next subject with it being determined
that the Town Commission would have to be approached first regarding
rate increases. The Commissioners differed on this subject and
finally decided to leave it as is.
The language "gross subscription revenue" under Section 10 merely
clarifies the statement.
Mr. Sliney explained what Item 8 meant in regard to the umbrella
insurance limit but it was agreed that the Town's insurance carrier
could best answer this question. This amount will be given to the
Commission prior to the Regular Meeting on February 3, 1981.
Section 15 concerning the forfeiture of franchise is a new clause
Mr. Sliney inserted mainly because of the current dispute in Lake
Worth wherein the City Commission of Lake Worth is attempting to
terminate the franchise due to consumer complaints.
Under the same Section 15, sub-paragraph 6, "...necessary licenses
and permits within thirty days" and further down in the paragraph
"...fails to commence construction within sixty days" was brought
up by Mr. Sliney. The two gentlemen involved stated that this
time span was too short and should be changed to "sixty days (60)"
and "ninety days (90)" respectively. Under sub-paragraph 7, Mr.
Sliney stated that he had left the completion date blank and the
consensus of the Commission was to allow one year for completion.
• Minutes Highland Beach
Town Commission
Workshop Meeting
January 30, 1981 Page 3 of 4
Mrs. Roberts referred back to Section 15, sub-paragraph 6 wherein
it states that "applications shall be filed with the Town Clerk".
She felt this should be changed to "Building Department" rather
that "Town Clerk".
Mayor Horton stated that if all were in basic agreement with this
draft and the changes they just made, this proposed ordinance
would have a First Reading on Tuesday, February 3, 1981.
Both interested parties then submitted proposals to the Commission
and more than an hour was spent studying and comparing these two
separate proposals.
Discussion took place regarding what would happen if everybody in
a condominium did not sign up for Cable TV and Mr. Sliney explained
• how it worked in the building where he lived - the 1~ssociation
signed up for Cable TV and the fee was included in their monthly
maintenance fee.
Friends of the Library" was then explained by Mr. Sliney as to
what is involved with forming an organization such as this.
A Charter needs to be drawn up, applications filed with the IRS
and an Advisory Board organized. Several names were mentioned
who would be interested in serving on this organization. They
are:
Mr. & Mrs. George Guenther
Mrs. Walter Bonny
Mrs. Robert Peirce
Mrs. Hubert Weatherford
Mrs. Herb Cohen
Mrs. Peter Genovese
Mrs. Lester Sonking
"Friends of the Library" would be a tax-free deduction and monies
received from the "Friends" could be used for furnishing the new
library. Consideration will be given to the name - "Friends of
• the Highland Beach Town Library".
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Minutes Highland Beach
Town Commission
Workshop Meeting
January 30, 1981
Page 4 of 4
A MOTION was made by Vice Mayor Storm and seconded by Commissioner
Blosser to ADJOURN this meeting. - Time 4:35 P.M.
APPROVED• ~•
Lour"
Ha
•
ATTEST:
To Clerk
DATED: February 24, 1981
~ / y-r~-v~s-s-c,
Horton, Mayor
Vice Mayor
Basso, Commissioner
Mar Lou.i,~~ G. Blosser, Comm.
1~G1
Peter J. Genove e, Commissioner
•