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1969.09.13_TC_Minutes • MINUTES: WORKSHOP MEETING OF THE TOWN COMMISSION - Sept. 13, 1969 A workshop meeting of the Town Commission was called to order by Mayor Horton on Sept. 13, 1969 at 9:00 A. M. All Commissioners were present except Vice Mayor Vedder. Also present were Messers Cayce and. Jurisch. Reporting for the tax committee, Mr. Cayce stated a projected surplus of $ 38,000 from the fast two budgets, and explained some future ser- vices and costs. There is an estimated population for the next two years of 3,600 (peak) by 1972. Police protection will be one coming cost anywhere from $ 5,000. to $ 50,000. Mayor Horton said Mr. Stewart is working on a plan for action upon at the October Town meeting. Mr. Cayce also stated our tax relationship to other communities in the sur- rounding area. Comm. Hackman stated the water plant pays its own way and a percentage is set aside for major expenses. It was decided a surplus is needed in the bank for unforseen expenses. Mayor Horton reporting on the sewage system said a special meeting on Tuesday Sept. 16th will bring a report from the builders on construction, costs, and further plans. There ~{~ould be no unusual expense to the Town, but operatorsfor the system would be added to the payroll. However, this and. the Delray monthly charge should be covered by the monthly sewer charge. Comm. Hackman said. additional office help would be needed and also a system for addressing water bills. Mr. Cayce further added • that the payroll and employees will increase and perhaps the future will require some sort of Town Manager. Commissioner Hackman stated. that for now the fire protection will stay in the Del Trail division, but when the population reaches 10,000, a permanent fire system will have to be developed in the Town. On garbage and trash collection it was suggested some financial arrange- ment should be arranged to cover interim collecting costs, until the buildings appear on the tax roll. Commissioner Hackman suggested a. temporary cost per unit to be added to the monthly water bill. On street lights, Mayor Horton said new lights have been installed on Belair and. Highland Beach drives and more will be needed on AlA and in Bel Lido. Mayor Horton, Commissioners Beekman and McCook all feel that the Town should have a surplus and. reserve as a cushion against hurricane or other disaster that might incur major expenses. Commissioner Hackman stated. that in his understanding the Commission should set up a.nd stay within that budget for the year. It is not the intent of a. community to operate with a bank surplus. The main test, he said, is to set up a minimum budget and. keep the income from the taxpayers as law as pos- sible, further adding that any disaster could happen and that Civilian Defense pays the bill for these unforseen happenings. • Mr. Jurisch stated that this is the first time a surplus has appeared and. the tax committee is only making recommendations, but that the final judgement is up to the Commission. Mr. Cayce said that he will submit a written recommendation to Mayor Horton the last week in Sept. • MINUTES: WORKSHOP MEETING OF THE TOWN COMMISSION - Sept. 13, 1969 Page two He then asked the Commissioners opinions on raising, reducing, or keep- ing the millage the same. Comm. Beekrra n will use the recommendation of the tax committee. Mayor Horton stated he is not in favor of raising the millage, but that a lot of people in Town feel a reduction is in order because of the surplus last year that is not being spent. More services will be demanded, but still a decrease will be expected. Mr. McCook reiterated what the other Commissioners said.: that the surplus came from the rush of unexpected building permits. Mr. Hackman stated he is in favor of a tax decrease but further added that additional services such as police protection would require more money. He com- plimented the committee for the work they did. in gathering this infor- mation. Comm. Beekman added he asked these two gentlemen to serve on the tax committee in June 1968. Mayor Horton read a report on occupational license costs in Highland Beach as compared. to Delray and. Boca. There was discussion as to whether to double the fees or renew on a sliding scale to agree with the surrounding communities and that this is a means,of control over work done in the Town. Comm. Hackman reported the water meter isbeing installed this morning at the Rex residence, adding that help is very hard to obtain. The minimum bid he has obtained is $ 300. a tree to move the Town owned • royal palm trees from Bel Lido to the water plant. Comm. McCook suggested selling them to Bel Lido; both he and Mr. Hackman feeling this expense is not necessary. Further discussion was held as to how the Town might dispose of these trees if Bel Lido doesn't want them. Mayor Horton reported attending a meeting in W. Palm Beach regarding roads in the County. The surrounding communities oppose four laning AlA ,and Mayor Horton suggested a resolution agreeing with Delray's resolution opposin this be adopted. The five year plan does not in- clude four laning4~r the 12th street bridge, but the s'15 year plan does. The other Commissioners agrQed that since thi is a State road. a request would. go to the State Rd. Dept. Assistance might be had from Boca that the goad should. not be widened and also that the speed might be lowered. Mayor Horton read a letter from Mr. Dan Gaynor regarding rp ec reational facilities stating the County resalution to have a master recreation plan, recommending public beaches. Comm. Hackman suggested the Town might request the FIND land. be used. for this and would be no extra expense to the Town. Mayor Horton said he didn't think the Town was large enough to accommodate this. Since ,~~/~6,~f~ the resolution ®as to be returned by Oct. 1st, Comm. Hackman moved. it be adopted. Mr. Beekman seconded and it was unanimously approved.. The Mayor read. a letter from Boca Hi stating they were informed by • the city engineer that they would. be responsible for the cost of installing 249 feet of 8" line to extend an 8" main to the so~.therly • MINUTES: WORKSHOP MEETING OF THE TOWN COMMISSION - 9-13-69 Page three border of Highland. Beach and. would. be required to install an 8" line under AlA. They discovered only a two inch water main in their property vicinity. They do not feel this extension is their res- ponsibility and. want to know if Highland Beach will supply them with an eight inch mainm advising them whose responsibility this is. Comm. Hackman has not yet received. the underground map from Brockway, Owen & Anderson and. said he understood Boca Hi offered to pay for this extension.Mayor Horton asked isn't the Town responsible for supplying water to the property line and. additional hydrants where needed? Comm. Hackman answered he expects advice from Brockway, Owen & Anderson on this matter. Mayor mead a letter from the area Planning Board of Palm Beach Co. regarding road. planning. He also read a letter received. from Mr. Flannigan of the same office requiring the dates of our fiscal year and, a decision as to the County collecting taxes. • The Mayor announced. that the lot owners on Russell Rd. and the zoning committee will have a special meeting on October 11th re- garding zoning on their property. The meeting was adjourned at 11:10 A. M. APPROVED: ~~ ~; .~ ATTEST : ~'~///`~1~1~~~~ Town clerk. r1