Loading...
1982.01.05_TC_Minutes_Regular~~ . TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA Minutes of Meeting of Town Commission Regular Meeting January 5, 1982 1:30 P. M. Mayor Horton called the Regular Meeting of the Town Commission to order at 1:30 P.M. Those in attendance were: Mayor Louis Y. Horton, Vice Mayor Harold C. Storm and Commissioners John J. Basso and Mary Louise G. Blosser. Commissioner Edward J. Sullivan was absent. Also in attendance were: Elaine W. Roberts, Town Manager; Thomas E. Sliney, Town Attorney; Police Chief Kenneth Jones; and Jane E. Barker, Town Clerk. There were several Townspeople in the audience. Pledge of Allegiance Mayor Horton then announced that before getting into the agenda, he would like to introduce Patrolman Alexander Kirk who was being hired • as the 9th man on the police force. Patrolman Kirk had previously been employed by the Town but had to go north until he could dispose of his home. Patrolman Kirk's reemployment was recommended by both Chief Jones and the Police Committee. After introducing Patrolman Kirk to the Commission, a MOTION was made by Vice Mayor Storm and seconded by Commissioner Blosser that Alexander Kirk be reemployed as a Patrolman for the Town of Highland Beach, Florida. All Commissioners voted in favor of this MOTION. Approval of Minutes November 17, 1981 - Special Meeting November 24, 1981 - Special Meeting November 24, 1981 - Workshop Meeting December 1, 1981 - Regular Meeting Mayor Horton said that if there were no objections, the minutes would stand approved as distributed. Public Rec(uests and Comments Mr. William Paul of 1126 Russell Drive read a letter he had • written to the Commission regarding the dune line on the beach and saying that construction should be restricted in those areas. 1 '' ~. Minutes Highland Beach Town Commission Regular Meeting January 5, 1982 Reports - Town Commission Page 2 of 12 (a) Mayor Louis Y. Horton - Mayor Horton stated that an ad hoc committee had been proposed to examine and determine the feasibility of setting up the Town's own fire department. He said that the following people were suggested for this committee and that he was hopeful they could have some information for the Commission by the middle of February. Don Sherbondy of Ocean Pines Bob Slater of Ambassadors East Harold Cohen of Ambassadors South Mayor Horton called for a MOTION to appoint these people to this committee. Commissioner Blosser suggested that Fire Chiefs from Delray Beach, Boca Raton and Del Trail be invited to be on this committee in order to receive their input on the matter. Discussion took place regarding this with the • question of compensation being brought up; what if the Town's equipment broke down and they would not be able to call on Del Trail; and other questions of this sort.. MOTION by Commissioner Basso/Commissioner Blosser that this committee as mentioned above be appointed and the Fire Chiefs of Delray Beach, Del Trail and Boca Raton be contacted to see if they would be interested in serving, if they so desire, to investigate whether the establishment of a separate fire department would be advantageous to the taxpayers of Highland Beach. All Commissioners voted Aye. (b) Vice Mayor Harold C. Storm - Vice Mayor Storm said that the auditors had wanted to attend this meeting today with xerox copies of their audit for the past year, however, it was suggested to them that they attend the Workshop Meeting on January 26, 1982 with the information in final form. Vice Mayor Storm also reported that investment earnings for December amounted to $6,022.44, which is down considerably and an indication of things to come. (c) Commissioner John J. Basso - Commissioner Basso felt that a bond issue should be looked into for the purpose of "Greening AlA", widening the bike path and building a park at the rear of Town Hall. This would be beneficial to both present owners of • property in Town as well as future owners. He said that a bond issue over eight or ten years would amount to less than a cocktail Minutes Highland Beach Town Commission Regular Meeting January 5, 1982 Page 3 of 12 per month per owner. He suggested that this matter be discussed further at the next Workshop Meeting and his rough guess for the bond issue would be around $25,000.00 Mayor Horton said that this item, as well as the matter of the proposed fire department, would have to be ratified by the electorate in May and a decision should be reached by the Commission by the first of March, as to whether these issues should be placed on the ballot. Vice Mayor Storm reminded all that most of the taxpayers had just had a doubling in their property taxes and felt that the Commission should "stop, look and listen". Mayor Horton felt that facts ~ou1d first be obtained for further discussion at a later meeting. (d) Commissioner Mary Louise G. Blosser - Commissioner Blosser spoke of the Clarendon project which is coming up at the • Special Meeting on January 19, 1982. She made mention of the fact that the Department of Natural Resources permit expired this month, however, Mr. Digby Bridges assured her that they had re-applied for this permit. (e) Commissioner Edward J. Sullivan - Absent Reports - Boards and Agencies of the Town (a) Board of Adjustment - Mrs. Roberts reported that this Board had one alternate vacancy and they would be meeting on Monday, January 18th, after which they would most probably have a recommendation for that vacancy. (b) Code Enforcement Board - Mrs. Roberts said that this Board also had one alternate vacancy and after their meeting on January 20th, they, too, would have a recommendation for the Commission. (c) Community Appearance Board - Mrs. Amelie Leng, Chairwoman of the Community Appearance Board, commended the Town Manager and the Commission for the Christmas tree in front of Town Hall. She also reported on • Braemar Isle and their lights; the walk-over to the beach on the property just north of Royal Highlands and how well this development, Coco deMer, is working with the Bel Lido Association. I x Minutes Highland Beachs Town Commission • Regular Meeting January 5, 1982 Page 4 of 12 Mrs. Leng then spoke of the Clarendon seawall and much discussion took place regarding this item, with Mrs. Leng stating that they, (the CAB), did not realize they had approved these plans, due to their looking down onto the plans. Mr. Digby Bridges recommended that both the Planning Commission and Community Appearance Board should have at least two architects on these respective boards who were able to read plans. Mr. Bridges volunteered to serve as one of these architects. Mr. Hamzik, Building Official, informed the Commission that Mr. John Baccari, also an architect, had expressed his willingness to serve on one of these two Town Boards. Much more discussion took place regarding the Clarendon seawall with Mayor Horton stating that this matter would be on the agenda for the Special Meeting January 19, 1982. Mr. Frank 5avino then reported for the "Greening of AlA" Committee, saying that all the trees that have been planted are doing well • and that they have received many compliments on the appearance of AlA. He also said the Committee will be appealing to the residents of the Town as well as the Town Commission for additional funds for this project. (d) Financial Advisory Board - Vice Mayor Storm requested the approval of the Town Commission to have the auditors attend the Workshop Meeting on January 26, 1982. He said their report would take about twenty minutes. This met with the Commission's approval. (e) Housing Board of Adjustment & Appeals - Mrs. Roberts stated that this Board would be meeting on January 13, 1982 at 9:15 A.M. (f) Planning Commission - Mrs. Roberts stated that Mr. Sliney, Mr. Hamzik, the Planning Commission and herself will be making a field trip to the south end of Town January 6th to study the portion of Town that has been suggested for a zoning change. (g) Police Committee - Mr. Lowell Blum, Chairman of the Police Committee addressed the Commission • reporting that the Police Committee unanimously approved the hiring of Patrolman Kirk; .that a sign had been requested by a 1 1 Minutes Highland Beach Town Commission • Regular Meeting January 5, 1982 Page 5 of 12 resident in Bel Lido advising that children were at play on one of the side streets and that the Police Committee was requesting that the speed limit through Town be reduced to 35 miles per hour. Mr. Blum also said that the Police Committee recommended purchasing a radar gun; some progress is being made at Holiday Inn and the Committee felt that a projector should be purchased for showing of crime prevention films. Discussion took place as to whether this projector should be purchased by the Police Department or the Library Committee. Mr. Blum also talked about the Resolution that Boca Raton had adopted regarding hand gun purchasers; and that the Police Committee has scheduled a Workshop Meeting for January 18th to discuss a new Resolution regarding the Police Committee's duties. They will then be able to report their findings to the Town Commission in time for their Workshop Meeting on January 26, 1982. • Bids will be solicited for a radar gun - Chief Jones will take care of this - and this will be paid for from the state funds that the Town receives. Further discussion took place regarding the projector. Reports--Re: (b) So. Florida Water Management District - Mayor Horton told of a call he had received shortly before the meeting and he assumed that the So. Florida Water Management District will start making plans for future water conservation. As soon as he obtains more information, he will advise the Commission. Reports - Town attorney - Mr. Sliney reported on the Bel Lido Easement matter that Mrs. Roy ( a resident of Bel Lido) has brought before the Town Commission. He felt that it was a personal matter between Mrs. Roy and the developer. Mayor Horton felt that the Town was not involved. Mr. Sliney then told of the Resolution he had prepared regarding the Moratorium Variance Board whose membership will consist of • the Town Commission, after which he read Resolution No. 427 in full. Minutes Highland Beach Town Commission • Regular Meeting January 5, 1982 Reports - Town Manager Belle Glade in December Highland Beach attended Coast Regional Planning on January 15, 1982. MOTION by Commissioner Basso/Vice Mayor Storm that the Resolution be adopted as read. Discussion then took place with several changes being made in the Resolution as read. Time limits as well as fees were discussed after which an AMENDED MOTION was made by Commissioner Basso and seconded by Vice Mayor Storm to adopt the Resolution with the changes made by the Town Pattorney. All Commissioners voted in favor of the AMENDED MOTION, which covered the changes made in the original Resolution. They then voted in favor of adoption of the ORIGINAL MOTION, which was to pass Resolution No. 427. • Page 6 of 12 Mrs. Roberts reported that the Palm Beach County Municipal League met in and for the first time, nobody from She said, too, that the Treasure Council would be meeting in Stuart She reported that during December she had met with officials from the flood insurance agencies; the auditors, the Safety Committee; engineers for developers; the Risk Management inspector; Inter-County representatives, Victor and the Turbitrol representative; interior designers; C.D.C, and she had at least two meetings a week at the Water Plant. Correspondence that Mrs. Roberts received was from the Department of Transportation, saying they will not extend the "No Passing" zone in front of the Bel Lido subdivision and they will not install the hazard beacon because there are not enough emergency calls to warrant it. Commissioner Basso instructed Mrs. Roberts to write back and ask them if they were waiting until some one was seriously injured to install this beacon. Mrs. Roberts also received correspondence from the Town Attorney regarding TV dishes; she had asked the Department of Revenue if the Town could sell gas to the Del Trail fire department but received no answer yet. • Minutes Highland Beach • Town Commission Regular Meeting January 5, 1982 Page 7 of 12 Commissioner Basso suggested that the Town go ahead and sell the gas with Mayor Horton saying that the Town should wait to see if they get an answer to Mrs. Roberts' follow-up letter which had only recently been sent. Mrs. Roberts also told of an invitation received for the dedication of the Westgate Community Center in West Palm Beach on January 11th at 2:00 P.M. Other correspondence received: a memo from Jackie Winchester, Supervisor of Elections, advising that a municipality had an "out" if they did not wish to join the Uniform Election Date; a letter from the Florida Municipal Liability Self-Insurers Fund; Mrs. Roberts had to write a letter to Mr. James McKay advising him that he should not advertise his place as being available for time-sharing apartments. Mrs. Roberts said that the Del Trail Rescue Log had been received; Southern Bell • Telephone has reserved two telephone numbers for the Town - one for the Post Office and one for the Library. Mrs. Roberts said that she hoped carpet bids would be received by January 19th in time for the Special Meeting. Discussion took place regarding an additional pay phone being placed outside in the front; the Homestead Exemption representatives will be in Town Hall on February 3, 1982 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; there is a new law calling for 10/ of the homeowners in Palm Beach County to re-file this year. Discussion took place regarding this issue. Mrs. Roberts also spoke of the 2% Resort Tax; the 1°jo sales tax; and said that a copy of the Del Trail Budget had been received. Mrs. Roberts then reported on the following departments: Building - No permits were issued in December and no certificates of occupancy were issued. Mr. Hamzik attended a Seminar at Palm Beach Junior College on December 15th and 16th which was sponsored by the Southern Code Building Congress. Finance - Mrs. Roberts reported that more 1980 tax monies had • been received in the amount of $1,180.00 for the Minutes Highland Beach Town Commission • Regular Meeting January 5, 1982 Page 8 of 12 Homestead Exemption and $9.62 was received from the same trust fund for 1981. Total property tax money received so far is $112,303.00 and Mrs. Roberts said that this money will be coming in strongly now. Florida Power and Light franchise money amounted to $9,620. through October; Road & Bridge money for fiscal year 80-81 was $590., the November court fund was $222.00 and a bond payment was made at the end of December for the 1979 issue. Mrs. Roberts informed the Commission that the three months' financial statement will be ready by the end of this month, and that the Town had received their first encounter with a new state law passed last year regarding investments. Health - Mrs. Roberts stated that Dr. Harry Weiss will be making his inspection at Holiday Inn within the next two weeks. • Maintenance - Mike has painted hydrants and benches in Town and is in the process of removing trees at the Water Treatment Plant. Police - Mrs. Roberts stated that Chief Jones had submitted a report of thefts and burglaries in Highland Beach from January 1, 1981 through December 10, 1981. Chief Jones has also submitted his monthly report. Vice Mayor Storm stated that he could not see any improvement in Holiday Inn. Mrs. Roberts stated that Mayor Horton and Commissioner Sullivan had toured the C.D.C. facility last week, where the new 911 Emergency number is in operation. Town Clerk - Mrs. Roberts said that the Town Clerk would be attending an Election Seminar in West Palm Beach on January 27th, and will report back on the changes in the election laws. Public Utilities and Works - Mrs. Roberts said that the water consumption went up in December to 28,000,000 gallons as compared to 25,000,000 gallons in November. Very shortly, she said, a four-year report on yearly water consumption will be forthcoming. • Minutes Highland Beach Town Commission Regular Meeting January 5, 1982 Page 9 of 12 Mrs. Roberts further reported that heaters had been installed on the motors at Wells 4 & 5 at a cost of $23.00 and they have been working perfectly. since then. Mayor Horton told how Larry Simpson, the young man who helps Tom Graham, rebuilt both lime feed pumps and since then, they have both been working beautifully. Larry has submitted his application to run the plant and he is very well recommended, Mayor Horton said. Mrs. Roberts also reported on the communications system at the Water Plant and recommendations she had requested of Victor Pujals from Camp, Dresser & McKee, the engineers. Mrs. Roberts also reported that the U.S.G.S. recommended that some more wells be drilled and this item will be on the Workshop Agenda. • Mrs. Roberts said that an investigation is being conducted into the sale of the Town's lime sludge possibly to a construction company. Regarding the sewage system, the pre-construction conference will be held January 6th at 10:00 A.M. for the work at Lift Stations 2, 4 and 5. Mrs. Roberts said that the contract is ready for Mr. Sliney's review. The last item Mrs. Roberts discussed concerned zoning and she said she had written to the City of Las Vegas for a copy of their ordinance concerning fire sprinklers in older buildings. Mr. Al deClerq, Fire Marshall, would like to appear before the Town Commission at the Workshop Meeting on January 26, 1982, to make some recommendations regarding the fire code. Proposed Ordinance (a) Proposed Ordinance No. - An Ordinance of the Town of Highland Beach, Florida, Amending Chapter 7, entitled "Buildings", Section 7-1. 1, entitled "Amendments to Standard Building Code", as pertains to plan checking fee schedule. First Reading was held on December 22, 1981. This Ordinance will have a final reading and possible adoption at the Special Meeting being held on January 19, 1982. Proposed Resolution No. 426 - A Resolution of the Town of Highland Beach, Florida supporting Minutes Highland Beach Town Commission • January 5, 1982 Regular Meeting Page 10 of 12 the right of all Americans to keep and bear arms, and urging the Florida Legislature to enact effective legislation for the screening of hand gun purchasers. Mayor Horton read Resolution No. 426 in its entirety. MOTION by Commissioner Basso/Vice Mayor Storm that this Resolution be adopted as read. Mrs. Roberts inquired as to whom should be copied and copies will be sent to the following: City of Boca Raton, Palm Beach County Municipal League, the Legislative Delegation, the Florida League of Cities and the National League of Cities. ALL Commissioners voted AYB on the above Resolution. Items left over from the Workshop Meeting of December 29, 1981 • 81.75 New Municipal Building which was that the revised bid drawings by Roy Simon and inc h place with the consensus being Commission approval. - Mrs. Roberts explained what had happened on the Hardrives bid of $12,650. reflected the revised ~ded parking. Discussion took to wait until later for Town 81.82 Memo to Town Manager from Building Official re Fortuna Del Mar. Mrs. Roberts informed the Commission that they would be supplied with all the information necessary for the Moratorium Appeals Board Meeting on January 19, 1982. 81.83 Proposals from independent contractors Earl Harvel and Carl Howard Mrs. Roberts requested the Town Commission's approval for the independent contractors - Earl Harvel and Carl Howard. Discussion took place with Mayor Horton explaining the charges against the retainer fee in Earl Harvel's memo. MOTION by Vice Mayor Storm/Commissioner Basso that Earl Harvel's contract proposal be approved. All Commissioners voted Aye. Minutes Highland Beach Town Commission • Regular Meeting January 5, 1982 Page 11 of 12 Discussion took place regarding Carl Howard's contract. MOTION by Commissioner Basso/Vice Mayor Storm that this contract be approved. All Commissioners voted Aye. Mrs. Roberts then brought up the subject of using the Cable TV Channel 11 for public announcements concerning the Town's meetings. Mayor Horton felt that Rita Ebersole could take care of this item but Commissioner Basso felt that two Commissioners should check prior to transmitting it to the Cable TV Company. It was then decided that Mrs. Roberts would coordinate the information, with two Commissioners checking it. All the Boards and Agencies of the Town can also avail themselves of the Channel, for any meetings they would be having. • Old Business - None New Business - None Mayor Horton then explained that at Regular Meetings, people in the audience had the opportunity of speaking under the "Public Requests and Comments" section of the agenda, whereas at Workshop Meetings, they could comment at the end of the meeting. With this, Mr. M.H.W. Dent, a Town resident, then asked a question concerning the gun control Resolution. Bills for Approval Mrs. Roberts presented the bills for approval. MOTION by Commissioner Basso/Vice Mayor Storm that the bills be approved for payment as read. All Commissioners approved the bills for payment. • Minutes Highland Beach Town Commission Regular Meeting January 5, 1982 Meeting ADJOURNED at 4:35 P.M. APPROVED: L~ ATTEST: Date: / ~''" ~ /~~~ Page 12 of 12 Louis ~Y~jHorton, Mayor Harold C. St,6rm, Vice Mayor ~~ . $fi~so, Commissioner Marv,.Lbuise G. J B~&,sser, Comm. Edward J. S{zl~ivan, Commissioner •