2021.05.04_TC_Minutes_RegularTOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH
TOWN COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
Town Hall / Commission Chambers Date. May 04, 2021
3614 South Ocean Boulevard Time: 1:30 P.M.
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 Natasha Moore
Mayor Douglas Hillman
Town Manager Marshall Labadie
Town Attorney Glen Torcivia
Town Clerk Lanelda Gaskins
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Town Commission lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
MOTION: David/Shoemaker - To accept the agenda as presented.
5. PRESENTATIONS / PROCLAMATIONS
A. Building Safety Month Proclamation
B. Drinking Water Week Proclamation
C. Professional Municipal Clerks Week
Mayor Hillman read each proclamation into the record. Present the to accept the
proclamations were Building Official Jeffrey Remas and staff, Public Works Director
Pasquale Roman and staff, and Town Clerk Gaskins and staff.
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Date: May 04, 2021
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6. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Ms. Roberta Kruta voiced her concerns about the removal of landscaping debris, Delray
Sands Hotel charging residents $10.00 for parking and, the Delray Beach Tennis Club
charging non-residents double to use their facilities.
7. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Hillman read the announcements as follows:
A. Board Vacancies
A. Board of Adjustment & Appeals Board - Two vacancies, all for three-year terms
Code Enforcement Board - One vacancy for a three-year term
Financial Advisory Board - Three vacancies, all for three-year terms
Planning Board - One vacancy for an unexpired term ending April 30, 2022
Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board — Four vacancies, all for three-year
terms
B. Meetings and Events
1. May 12, 2021 - 2:00 P.M. Charter Review Board Meeting
May 13, 2021 - 9:30 A.M. Planning Board Regular Meeting
May 18, 2021 - 1:30 P.M. Town Commission Meeting
C. Board Action Report
1. April 2021 Board Action Report (For Information Only)
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Date: May 04, 2021
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8. ORDINANCES
A. Proposed Ordinance/ Modifying Residency Requirements for serving on quasi-
judicial and advisory boards
An Ordinance of the Town Commission of the Town of Highland Beach, Florida,
amending Chapter 2, "Administration," Article V, "Boards and Committees,"
Division 1, "Generally," of the Town Code of Ordinances by amending Section 2-
99, "Procedure for appointment and filling of vacancies; qualification for
membership of boards and committees; terms," to define the residency
requirements to serve on town boards and committees; providing for the repeal of
all ordinances in conflict; providing for severability and codification; and providing
an effective date.
Mayor Hillman read Item 8A title into record.
Town Manager Labadie presented this item and explained the proposed ordinance
modification addresses the residency requirements to allow no more than two tax paying
property owners to serve on none quasi-judicial advisory boards.
MOTION: Hillman/David - To approve Item 8A.
Upon roll call, the motion passed on a 5 to 0 vote.
9. CONSENT AGENDA
A. None.
10. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. None.
11. NEW BUSINESS
A. Resolution No. 2021-005 / Appointment to the Planning Board/ Member Harry
Adwar.
A Resolution of the Town of Commission of the Town of Highland Beach, Florida,
ratifying the selection, appointment, and term of office of members of the Planning
Board, and providing for an effective date.
Mayor Hillman read Resolution No. 2021-005 title into the record.
Town Manager Labadie presented this item.
MOTION: David/Shoemaker - To approve Resolution No. 2021-005 as presented.
Resolution No. 2021-005 passed unanimously 5 to 0.
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Date: May 04, 2021 Page 4 of 7
B. Discussion on the proposed ordinance amending Section 30-66 "Other
Requirements" of the Zoning Code (Chapter 30) to modify certain encroachment
setbacks for properties abutting a waterway, canal, or lake.
Mayor Hillman read Item 11 B title into record.
Town Manager Labadie introduced this item. He briefly spoke about the modification to
the Section 30-66(c)(1)a of the proposed ordinance as it relates to granting rear and side
yard setbacks on a waterfront property which could have some additional encroachments
up to fifty percent and the clause encouraging the porous/pervious nature of those
improvements to help improve infiltration to create flexibility.
Town Planner Ingrid Allen explained that the Zoning Code Section 30-68(f) provide
setbacks for pool decks. She presented a PowerPoint presentation of the current pool
deck setback provision in the code, discussed the provisions in Sections 30-68c and 30-
66 and suggested the following:
• Section 30-68c, the Town Commission may want to consider striking through
paragraph "c" as it relates to pool deck and decks, given what is in the ordinance under
Section 30-66.
• Component in paragraph "c" related to screen enclosure, the Town Commission may
want to consider keeping the screen enclosure setback at five feet given that it is a
structure. Therefore, a five feet setback may be fine. However, if the Town
Commission decides to keep paragraph "c," Town Planner Allen recommended
paragraph "c" be moved to Section 30-66 because it belongs in the encroachment
section as opposed to pool deck setbacks.
Town Planner Allen also referred to a PowerPoint slide and spoke about the plans Mr.
Joshua Davison submitted to the Building Department regarding condominium's project.
Ms. Allen further explained Sections 30-66 and 30-68 and pointed out the redundancy in
these provisions. Then she spoke about Mr. Davison's matter regarding the expansion of
the wood deck.
Discussion following about the language in the proposed ordinance related to the total
encroachment limit of "fifty percent" of the side or rear yard setback area and
encroachment setbacks in general. There was support from the Town Commission to
allow some expanded encroachments into waterfront setbacks, for Town Planner Allen
to present the proposed ordinance to the Planning Board. Have the Planning Board look
at a no cap percentage or expanded percentage, remove the pool deck components,
possibly with the new provision say that any work in the setback triggers compliance with
the one -inch drain run-offs to allow it to be caught on the permit side to accommodate the
drainage per the ordinance. It was suggested that there be a clear distinction between a
backyard and a dock.
The proposed ordinance will be presented to the Planning Board on May 13 and come
back to Town Commission as a first reading on May 18.
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12. TOWN COMMISSION COMMENTS
Commissioner John Shoemaker spoke about the following:
• His interview with Mr. Claude Smith, a veteran at the Carron House at Boca Highland.
Mr. Smith established a nonprofit organization called Veteran Last Patrol, which
supports veterans in hospice. Their website is www veteran iastpatroi.org.
• Input from citizens who are pleased with the decision about the EMS and fire and
rescue.
• Problem in the insurance industry as it relates to the Texas floods and the COVID-19
litigations, the effect on increasing insurance rates, and impact windows reduce the
cost of insurance.
• Outing with Mr. Jeffrey Kleinman on his boat and his observation of the beach area
including the burrows, break in the reefs and erosion.
Commissioner Evalyn David spoke the following:
• Braemar Isles subsequently acquired impact windows and the difference it made on
the insurance cost.
• The sand and protecting the beach from eroding.
• The positive responses received from residents regarding the Fire and Rescue
contract. Assured the residents the right people will be hired to help guide the Town
Commission through the process.
Commissioner Peggy Gossett -Seidman talked about the following:
• The sand on the beach.
• Everyone was thrilled about the fire and rescue services.
• Florida State Representative Michael Caruso (District 89) letter to Florida Governor
last fall regarding the sand and he has been on this matter. She has a meeting in late
May.
• The state appropriations failed this year. Florida State Senator Tina Polsky (District
29) and Florida State Representative Michael Caruso (District 89) are redirecting the
Town to the multiple grants that are available to small towns for infrastructure and
flooding. The money is readily available rather than having an appropriation this year.
Town Manager Labadie was made aware of the same and she will keep the Town
Commission informed on this matter.
• Zoom meeting on Thursday with the entire state league of cities representatives
regarding a wrap-up on the appropriations and the budget. She will have a full report
at the next meeting.
• Home rule was eroded a little bit in the area such as home businesses. The state will
have a bit more control in this area and there will be a little freedom for residents
working from home. Small towns and beach towns are in order and there were no
major failures. Regarding vacation rentals the Town ordinance governing them still
stands.
Vice Mayor Natasha Moore talked about the following:
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• Formalizing a written project plan for fire -rescue with major milestones dates, including
a timestamp indicating the last time the plan was updated.
• Contacting someone at the City of Coconut Creek to learn what are their biggest risks,
what did they do well and what could they do better.
• Revising the Strategic Priorities and adding Fire and Rescue.
• She inquired about the Charter Review Board agenda.
Mayor Douglas Hillman inquired about the report on the status of the beach bucket trees
and Town Manager Labadie will forward the report to the Town Commission. He spoke
about the following:
• The sand and there being nothing the Town could do about this matter.
• His meeting with the City of Boca Raton's Mayor Scott Singer.
13. TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT
Town Attorney Torcivia spoke about Governor Ron DeSantis entering another executive
order regarding mask mandates.
14. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT
Town Manager Labadie provided a report on the following:
• Over the next four to six weeks the Library and Post Office will provide more flexibility
for its users and safety protocols will remain in place.
• Total positivity rate in Palm Beach County fell below five percent.
• Service improvements in the public sector such as Zoom meeting, calling ahead for
library books and the curve side service provided by the library has been positive.
• Strategic Priorities: Will provide the Town Commission with a quarterly update.
• In touch with a PR firm to assist with the communication plan.
• Fire Department: A formal plan will begin to form in the next quarter. In Progress is
the foundational elements such as the termination agreement, contact with a medical
director, and the request for proposal (RFP) to obtain an architect to design the fire
department. The next component will be to bring someone in to help town staff and
Town Commission take the next steps to aggregate this inform into one plan.
• Start bi-weekly meetings with Town Commission regarding the Fire and Rescue
Department project. He and Town Attorney Torcivia has been working hard and
making progress on Fire Department project.
It was the consensus of the Town Commission to schedule a Special Commission
meeting on May 25 at 4:00 P.M. to discuss the fire service project.
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Date: May 04, 2021
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15. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 3:16 P.M.
APPROVED at the JulyZQ,2021, Town Commission Meeting. -.
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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 &
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