2020.12.15_TC_Minutes_RegularTOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH
TOWN COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
Town Hall/ Commission Chambers
3614 South Ocean Boulevard
Highland Beach, Florida 33487
1.CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Hillman called the meeting to order at 1 :30 P.M.
2.PRESENT UPON ROLL CALL
Commissioner John Shoemaker
Commissioner Evalyn David
Commissioner Peggy Gossett-Seidman
Vice Mayor Greg Babij
Mayor Douglas Hillman
Town Manager Marshall Labadie
Date: December 15, 2020
Time: 1:30 P.M.
Town Attorney Glen Torcivia Uoined the meeting via Zoom)
Town Clerk Lanelda Gaskins
3.PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Town Commission led the Pledge of Allegiance.
4.ADDITIONS, DELETIONS, AND APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Mayor Hillman added "State Senator Tina Polsky" to the agenda as Item 5A under
Presentations / Proclamations.
MOTION: Commissioner David moved to accept the agenda as amended.
Commissioner Gossett-Seidman seconded the motion, which passed (5-0)
unanimously.
5.PRESENTATIONS/ PROCLAMATIONS
A.State Senator Tina Polsky (THIS ITEM WAS ADDED TO THE AGENDA)
Ms. Tina Polsky introduced herself as the newly elected State Senator for Senate District
29 and mentioned that the legislative days would begin in March of 2021. She
encouraged the Town Commission to contact her via email at Polsky.Tina@flsenate.gov,
and that she would be happy to assist with any constituent service issues or legislative
item problems.
Town Commission Meeting Minutes
Date: December 15, 2020
6.PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REQUESTS
There were no public comments.
7.ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Hillman read the following announcement:
A.Board Vacancies
Page 2 of 6
1.Board of Adjustment & Appeals Board -Two vacancies for a three-year term.
Financial Advisory Board -One vacancy for a three-year term.
B.Meetings and Events
1.December 17, 2020 -2:00 P.M. Virtual Financial Advisory Board Special Meeting
December 24, 2020 -Town Hall closed in observance of Christmas Eve
December 25, 2020 -Town Hall closed in observance of Christmas Day
January 01, 2021 -Town Hall closed in observance of New Year's Day
January 05, 2021 - 1 :30 P.M. Town Commission Meeting
C.Board Action Report
1.None.
8.ORDINANCES
A.PROPOSED ORDINANCE / MODIFY CONSTRUCTION WORK HOURS
AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING
CHAPTER 12, "CONSTRUCTION SITES," OF THE TOWN CODE OF ORDINANCES,
TO MODIFY THE PERMITTED CONSTRUCTION HOURS AND ADOPT NEW
REGULATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES ON SATURDA VS; PROVIDING
FOR THE REPEAL OF ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR
SEVERABILITY AND CODIFICATION; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Mayor Hillman opened this item for public comments. Town Clerk Gaskins explained that
public comments were limited to three minutes.
Ms. Mayde Wiener joined the meeting via Zoom and spoke about a request that she sent
to the Town Manager for email communications from Mayor Hillman's homeowner's
association related to support for the proposed ordinance modifying the construction work
hours. She also spoke about the comments made by Vice Mayor Babij at the November
5, 2020 Commission meeting as it relates to the ten residents supporting the proposed
Town Commission Meeting Minutes
Date: December 15, 2020 Page 3 of 6
ordinance. Ms. Weiner also talked about a letter that the Town Manager sent to the
condominium boards about modifying the construction work hours.
Mr. Steven Parks joined the meeting via Zoom. He talked about the proposed changes
to the ordinance to modify the construction work hours and the limitations. He suggested
that the Town Commission reconsider the language proposed in subsection 81 and 82
related to construction on Saturday and paragraph "C", concerning arriving on-site more
than one-half hour before or leaving the said site more than one-half hour after the
construction hours. He suggested more of a rational approach to this matter related to
what the construction workers need to do on the job sites, and what individual
homeowners can do on job sites at their residences.
Ms. Meredith A. Chaiken, Esquire attended the meeting on behalf of several residents.
She spoke about a recent record request that she sent the Town Attorney seeking copies
of records related to King Tide Marina, email communications supporting the proposed
ordinance from Mayor Hillman's homeowner association, and submission of a second
record request for telephone records from each Town Commissioner. Ms. Chaiken talked
about a lack of support from the residents and the potential implications should the Town
Commission pass the proposed ordinance modifying the construction work hours.
Town Clerk Gaskins read the emails from Mr. Steven Sassone, Mr. John Rand, and Ms.
Elyse Riesa related to modifying the construction work hours. Mr. Sassone was in favor
and Mr. Rand was against modifying the construction work hours. Mrs. Riesa suggested
several ways to find compromise to modifying the construction work hours and suggested
that the Town consider a hardship waiver process, if necessary.
Mayor Hillman closed public comments.
Vice Mayor 8abij sponsored the proposed ordinance.
Town Manager Labadie presented this item. He will redraft the proposed ordinance to
include a waiver process and bring the ordinance back as a first reading at the next Town
Commission meeting.
9.CONSENT AGENDA
There were no consent agenda items.
10.UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A.Consideration to approve the proposed Right-of-way Permitting Outline.
Commissioner Shoemaker sponsored the proposed Right-of-Way Permitting Outline. He
suggested to review and edit the existing ordinances for the protection of the swales.
Town Manager Labadie explained should the Town Commission direct staff to move
forward with Option 11, he and Town Planner Allen would work together with
Town Commission Meeting Minutes
Date: December 15, 2020 Page 4 of 6
Commissioner Shoemaker to amend the current Town code provisions (where applicable)
to protect the swales.
MOTION Commissioner Shoemaker moved to tighten up the wording in existing
areas that apply for the protection of swales and protection of the right-of
way, without getting ordinance happy and creating new ordinances.
Commissioner Gossett-Seidman seconded the motion, which passed (5-0)
unanimously.
Mayor Hillman talked about the swales, a swales program that includes how to put swales
together, and including the Planning Board in the process. Town Manager Labadie
mentioned adding the information as an appendix to the Construction Site Handbook.
B.Resolution No. 20-024 I Rescinding Resolution No. 19-00BR
A Resolution of the Town Commission of the Town of Highland Beach, Florida,
rescinding Resolution No. 19-00BR, which adopted Commission rules governing
interactions with staff, town attorney, advisory boards, and outside agencies; and
providing for an effective date.
1.Consideration to approve the proposed Commission Interaction Guidelines.
Town Manager Labadie presented this item and explained the proposed Commission
Interaction Guidelines.
MOTION: Commissioner David moved to accept Resolution No. 20-024. Vice Mayor
Babij seconded the motion, which passed (5-0) unanimously.
MOTION: Commissioner Shoemaker moved to accept the new Commission
Interaction Guidelines as amended. Commissioner David seconded the
motion, which passed (5-0) unanimously.
Mr. Steven Parks joined the meeting via Zoom. He spoke about the proposed
Commission Interaction guidelines related to streamlining the interaction/communication
with staff and between the Town Attorney and board members.
11.NEW BUSINESS
There was no new business.
12.TOWN COMMISSION COMMENTS
Commissioner John Shoemaker
A.Communication to Residents
Commissioner Shoemaker recommended that any letter prepared by the Town
Commission be signed by the commissioner that writes the letter and includes each
Town Commission Meeting Minutes
Date: December 15, 2020 Page 5 of 6
commissioner's names. He indicated that the letter on Veteran John Bury could be
included in the Manager's Minutes, delivered via snail mail (regular postal service), and
added to the Town's website. He also spoke about a newspaper article that he read
about the termination of City Managers from the City of Delray Beach, the difficulty of
finding talented individuals for both Town employees and Town Commission, and the
salary to attract individuals as a commissioner.
Commissioner Evalyn David had no comments.
Commissioner Peggy Gossett-Seidman commented that she was glad she ran as a
commissioner because the commissioners that served with her in the past were able to
bring in Town Manager Labadie and a building official.
Vice Mayor Babij liked Commissioner Shoemaker's idea about attracting better talent to
the Town Commission and mentioned surveying the commission salaries.
Mayor Douglas Hillman agreed with Vice Mayor Babij and mentioned it would be worth
surveying by the Financial Advisory Board.
13.TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT
Town Attorney Torcivia wished everyone a happy and safe holiday season.
14.TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT
Town Manager Labadie provided an update on the following:
A letter from the Town of Highland Beach, Maryland, was placed in each commissioner's
mailbox, and the book was placed in the commission's office. He will send the Town of
Highland Beach, Maryland, a copy of Highland Beach, Florida's book.
Fire Study: the consultants received the financial information and developed a draft
profile. The information will be forwarded to the City of Delray Beach Fire-Rescue Chief
to review for accuracy. There will be conversations about the data, the alternatives and
then the audit will begin. There will be conversations in January about the call data.
The City of Delray Beach sent the True Ups amounts today, and there was a slight
increase. He will look at the numbers.
The consultants have made the changes as requested by the Town Commission to the
Water and Wastewater Rate Study. The Financial Advisory Board will meet on Thursday,
December 17, 2020, to review and discuss the rate study. Based on the Financial
Advisory Board's discussion, the rate study will come back to the Town Commission at
the January 5, 2021 meeting.
The Finance Department was doing their best to hold it together. Finance Director Lalla
was doing well and will be returning to the office soon.
He will be sending some communications to the Town Commission soon.
Town Commission Meeting Minutes
Date: December 15, 2020 Page 6 of 6
There was a discussion about Fire-rescue services, the deliverables, costs, and potential
alternatives.
15. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business Mayor Hillman adjourned the meeting at 4:32 P.M.
Town Clerk
lg: 01/28/2021
Douglas Hillman, Mayor
Transcribed by Ganelle Thompson
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Disclaimer: Effective May 19, 2020, per Resolution No. 20-008, all meeting minutes are
transcribed as a brief summary reflecting the event of this meeting. Verbatim audio/video
recordings are permanent records and are available on the Town's Media Archives &
Minutes webpage: https://highlandbeach-fl.municodemeetings.com/
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