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1965.04.13_TC_Minutesr -~ MINUTES: HIGHLAND BEACH TOWN COMMISSION APR 6, 1965 APRIL 13, 1965 The regular April 6th meeting was called to order by Town Clerk, Commissioner Johnson, at 7:00 P.M. No-other commissioners were present, so for lack of a • quorum, Commissioner Johnson recessed the meeting until 7:00 P.M., April 13, 1965. The recessed meeting of April 6, 1965 was called to order by Mayor Hackman at 7:00 P. M . , April 13, 1965. All commissioners and Town Manager Dailey were present. The minutes of the regular monthly meetingDof March 2, 1965 and special meetings A.v MR •oh J/ ~ /q of March 14, 1965 and March 20, 1965^were read and approv ~ by the unanimous vote of all commissioners. ' Mayor Hackman in his regular. meeting opening executive report cited town progress, town problems, and future decisions that will have to be made. He mentioned the special council meetings and the many conferences relative to the water expansion program; announced that Mrs. Sylvia Weyl had agreed to chair the important charter revision committee in studying additional charter changes needed; read portions of a letter of March 31 from the State Road Department in reply to his letter of March 9 which cared attention to the. condition of State Road A-1-A through Highland Beach. The letter, from L. N. Laudrey, Asst. District Engineer, mentioned that the Road Department had checked the area and agreed that some of the adverse conditions should and would be corrected and assured cooperation within the limits of their budget in re- moving debris, posting penalty signs, and filling some of the low spots; stressed the importance of keeping the water plant expansion program as the major project for council and town consideration; explained, that a bond issue to finance this expansion will be needed and approval by a freeholder referendum will be necessary, that the • present water plant set up shows the plant operating at a loss and that future planning will have to consider a more equitable solution in determining proper distribution of operating expenses; that an emergency ordinance would be read authorizing the town to appropriate funds for the purpose of employing a qualified appraiser to revaluate the ~~ tax assessment on all properties in the town to eliminate present inequalities and finally again added that when all the details of the proposed bond issue for water plant expansion were completed, the entire program would be submitted and voted on by all freeholders . Finance Chairman Bunn amplified Mayor Hackman's water plant remarks. He stated that he had no definite figures to report but that his committee was gathering data and figures on bond issue expense; that the approximate amount needed to retire the old bond issue and finance the new plant would~be $250,000.00 on a 30-year term. He also cited that the water plant is not self supporting and must be put on a paying basis, and that his committee was waiting for the engineers report and recommendations on water rates . Commissioner Noble reported that, due to changing of town attorneys, progress had been delayed on the building and zoning ordinance, but expected to have it ready for consideration soon. She stated that, in addition to spraying for mosquito and insect control, that pellets will be dropped in sand fly breeding spots . • Commissioner Jones announced the acquiring of the property on which the tawn hail is situated and that the new water storage tank is to be constructed immediately to the rear, or West, of the hall. He expressed concern over some unforeseen delays in the overall program, and that, although behind target dates, felt that, with the many ~. r PAGE 2 ~Q~!-~/~- » "~~~.T meetings held, and contacts made, progress is being made in the right direction and that more specific reports will be made as soon as possible. Mayor Hackman paid tribute to Mr. Milton Beekman for the time and effort spent on his 20-page revision of the sign ordinance and advised that the town attorney had not had time to pass on possible legal objections. He then called for the reading of three new ordinances . At this point, Mr. Frank Pond asked for and was granted recognition from the floor. He stated that he headed a delegation from Carlton House, who were attending the meeting for the purpose of asking pertinent questions about the new water plant; general planning; when plant would be completed, capacity, chemical content of water, etc: Mayor Hackman replied that this was a regular council meeting and that when the agenda was completed, the council would be pleased to answer questions, and entertain new business. Mr. Pond felt that his group should not be detained for this period and a slightly warm exchange of opinions followed. However, the rather strained situation was resolved by the suggestion that Town Manager Dailey was better qualified .than the council to answer Mr, Pond's questions and that his group consult with him while the ordinances were being read . Ordinance 127 was read: "An ordinance of the Town of Highland Beach, Florida, levying an occupational license tax upon certain specified businesses, professions and occupations engaged in or carried on, wholly or in part, within the corporate limits of the Town of Highland Beach, pro- • viding regulations for the collection of such license tax, penalties and for other purposes. " Commissioner Bunn moved that Ordinance 127 be approved on first reading. Commissioner Noble seconded the motion and all commissioners voted in the affirmative. Ordinance 128 was read: "An ordinance of the Town of Highland Beach, Florida, requiring owners of land within the town to remove therefrom trees, bushes, weeds, obnoxious growth of any kind, filth, garbage, trash, debris and stagnant water. " Commissioner Jones moved that Ordinance 128 be approved on first reading. Commissioner Noble seconded the motion and all commissioners voted in the affirmative. Emergency Ordinance 129 was read: "An emergency ordinance of the Town of Highland Beach, Florida, to appropriate the sum of Six Thousand Dollars ($6,000.00) to the office of the tax assessor for the sole purpose of employing a qualified appraiser to assist the tax assessor in evaluating or revaluating the tax assessment of all real property including improvements of all kinds whatsoever thereon, within the territorial limits of Highland Beach, Florida . " Emergency ordinance 129, without amendment, and effective immediately, was approved and signed by Commissioners Hackman, Bunn, Johnson, Noble and Jones. • The ordinances passed on first reading are to be posted on the town bulletin board in accordance with charter requirements . PAGE 3 ~ ,6~r~ /- < ~ - t ~ ~ ~ ~. ,. Mr. Peter Guala questioned the increase. in tax on his telephone bill. Mayor Hackman explained that the telephone company had never paid a franchise tax to the town and • the increase on his bill was due to the town requesting payment. He added that the town attorney had been asked to check the legality of adding this charge to the phone customer . Mr. Rick Davidson asked some questions relative to zoning and building restrictions on a newly planned condominium, mentioning particularly a restaurant, bulk heads and boat dockage. He was advised that Commissioner Noble could probably. answer most of his questions now, and with the new zoning ordinance nearing completion, definite information could be given in the very near future . On the motion of Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Bunn and the affirmative vote of all commissioners, the meeting was adjourned at 9:50 P.M. APPROVED: CLEM CKMAN, MAYOR FRED BUNN, VICE MAYOR -~ ~i`- ~- HAROLD E. JOHN ON, TOWN CLERK ATTEST: TOWN CLERK MILDRED NOBLE, COMMISSIONER ~~ ~. G. ARTHUR JONES, CO~N~ISSIONER •