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2007.08.28_TC_Minutes_Workshop TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH MINUTES OF TOWN COMMISSION MEETING WORKSHOP Tuesday, August 28, 2007 1:30 P.M. Mayor Harold R. Hagelmann called the Workshop to order in Commission Chambers at 1:30 P.M. CALL TO ORDER: Roll Call : Members present: Mayor Harold R. Hagelmann; Vice Mayor Joseph J. Asselta; Commissioner Miriam S. Zwick; Commissioner Jim Newill, CPA; and Commissioner Doris Trinley. Also present: Town Attorney Thomas E. Sliney; Town Manager Dale S. Sugerman; Town Clerk Beverly M. Brown and members of the public. Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge of Allegiance was given, followed by a minute of silence in honor of members of the military, both living and deceased. 1ADDITIONS, DELETIONS OR ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA . Town Manager Sugerman introduced Fire Chief David Jones of the Delray Beach Fire Rescue Department. Fire Chief Jones assumed duties today replacing Fire Chief Kerry Koen. Chief Jones shared his background with the Commission and stated he looked forward to working with them. Mayor Hagelmann and the Town Commission welcomed Chief Jones and wished him luck with his new position. 2.PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REQUESTS Joe Yucht ? Boca Highlands - Will be attending a meeting of the Boca Raton Airport Noise Authority this evening, it any of the Commissioners have any comments that they would like him to speak about. Received the ?Proposed Property Taxes and Proposed Non-Ad Valorem Assessments Notice? from the County Property Appraiser?s Office in the mail. A lot of people are screaming about it, as the real value went down and the assessed value went down. Hopes the town millage rate will be going down. Town Commission Workshop Minutes August 28, 2007 Page 2 of 5 3. PRESENTATIONS : ? None 4.BOARDS AND COMMITTEES A)Board Correspondence ? None B) Board Action Report ? None C) Board Vacancies ? One (1) Board of Adjustment & Appeals D) Monthly Board Meetings ? Beaches & Shores Advisory ? September 11th ? Regular ? 9:30 A.M ? Planning Board ? September 12th ? Regular - 9:30A.M. ? Code Enforcement Board ? September 19th - Regular ? 9:30 A.M. ? Cultural Advisory ? September 27th - Regular ? 9:30 A.M. 5. PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS ? None 6. NEW BUSINESS A) Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections requests Commission to consider changing date of March 2008 Election and to opt-out of early voting. Commissioner Newill ? If we changed the date of the election, the qualifying period would be thst between December 18 and 31. It would present a negative attitude to be campaigning through the holidays. Do not have a real solid conclusion. Commissioner Zwick ? Conflicts with the major holidays. The change would be for once every four years, causing much confusion. Against moving the municipal election. Commissioner Trinley ? Against moving the election. Vice Mayor Asselta ? Bad idea. The two elections are not connected. Also, need to opt-out of the early voting. There are plenty of ways for an elector to vote if they so choose. Commissioner Newill - I am in favor of early voting. Voters should be given every opportunity that is available to exercise their right to vote. Mayor Hagelmann ? Does this require any type of action? Reply ? Yes. There is a form that needs to be completed. Mayor Hagelmann ? Move to ?Consent Agenda? as not in favor. Town Commission Workshop Minutes August 28, 2007 Page 3 of 5 7) MISCELLANEOUS ? ITEMS LEFT OVER A) Minutes ? Workshop Minutes ? July 31, 2007 Special Meeting ? July 31, 2007 Regular Meeting ? August 7, 2007 (date corrected from 8/3/2007 to 8/7/2007) Moved to ?Consent Agenda? 8) REPORTS ? TOWN COMMISSION ? Commissioner Trinley ? No Report ? Commissioner Jim Newill, CPA ? Recently attended the Florida League of Cities Conference in Orlando, and would like to thank the Town for the opportunity. One of the sessions that a number of us attended was called the ?Future of Property Tax in Florida.? There were about 200 people in attendance. At the end of the session, the moderator requested a show of hands on how many municipal officials would be returning to their communities to encourage a ?yes? vote at the January election. Three were in favor, three were undecided, and everyone else was against it. Since we all are attending Commissioner McCarty?s session on tax reform, should we comment as a block? Mayor Hagelmann - Keep ?Home Rule.? Unanimous agreement by Commission against encouraging voters to vote yes. Town Manager Sugerman - He recently wrote an article for the ?Highlander? stating that the Town Commission was not going to take a position, and that individuals should discuss it with their attorneys and accountants. Reply ? The Commission is against it, but individuals should contact their own attorneys and accountants for professional advise. ? Commissioner Miriam S. Zwick ? No Report ? Vice Mayor Asselta - Would like to express disappointment over the two recently held ?Executive Sessions.? The legal counsel appointed to represent the Commission was completely unprepared. Did not know who the judge was assigned to the case. Did not know the track history of the attorney. Did not do any investigation, only submitted the facts that had already been presented to us. Extremely disappointed. This past Sunday, while on the beach with my family, I noticed a motorbike coming up the beach at a high rate of speed. A little while later he came back going 40 or 50 mph. The rider was about 15 or 17. He drove within a foot of my 1 year grandson. Did not call the police as he would have been long gone before they could get there. Town Manager Sugerman ? Do not have an officer assigned to the beach nor do we have the equipment. Also would have to get authorization from one of the condo?s to drive equipment over their property if we wanted to patrol the beach. Police Chief Angelillo ? Only have two officers scheduled to work a shift. Until we have a full staff, cannot Town Commission Workshop Minutes August 28, 2007 Page 4 of 5 even consider scheduling someone on the beach. The equipment originally purchased was not the best for the beach use. ? Mayor Hagelmann ? Years ago, and open-dish holiday party was held at the town hall for the employees. The employees enjoyed it very much. Would like to schedule it again, sometime between Thanksgiving and Christmas. The Commission can entertain the employees by supplying the drinks or the food. Vice Mayor Asselta ? The holiday party went on for many years. Cannot support it with tax payers money, but could have something called ?Commissioner Appreciation Party.? We could have a barbeque out in the back. Commissioner Zwick ? If it is something that the Commissioners are going to do, then we should plan it. Need more input from the employees. Mayor Hagelmann ? The two ladies in the Building Department offered to organize it. Commissioner Newill ? Mixed emotions. Was it covered dish by department or everyone together? Commissioner Trinley ? It was everyone together. My suggestions are to give them a half day off and a bonus. Manager Sugerman ? Last year I sent out a letter to employees asking them to form a holiday party committee, and offered $200.00 from my own pocket. A committee was formed, but the whole idea fell apart when they could not come up with an agreement. Commissioner Zwick ? Have experienced it all. Most agreeable idea is to give them a cup of coffee, a check and send them home early. Vice Mayor Asselta ? Suggest sending out a survey to the employees. Asking if they have an interest in a barbeque or a covered dish meal, and if they want it during the week or on a Saturday. If they support the idea, they will respond. 9.REPORTS ? TOWN ATTORNEY ? Noted Vice Mayor?s comments. ? Sale of property ? Have shared my ideas with the Town Manager. ? Met with the Town Manager and Jack Lee to review product liability and potential lawsuit over ?defects? in the design of the osmosis plant. ? County Park ? Should be receiving the amended plan by the end of September. Will co-ordinate with the outside consultants the Town Commissions perspective. 10.REPORTS ? TOWN MANAGER In preparation of the Budget Public Hearing at 5:01 P.M. next week, distributed a preliminary millage calculation with various scenarios. Line #1 ? 9% Reduction at 3.7680 Mils will result in ad valorem taxes of $8,493,511, with an estimated 96% collection rate total ad valorem taxes collection of $8,153,770. Line #5 ? tentative approved millage rate of 4.0985 total ad valorem taxes of $9,238,496, with an estimated 96% collection rate total ad valorem taxes collection of $8,868,956. The figures from column five will be presented at the budget hearing since it is the tentative millage rate th the Commission has adopted. Between the first hearing on September 4 and the final th hearing on September 25, the Commission will need to establish a final millage rate. Town Commission Workshop Minutes August 28, 2007 Page 5 of 5 Commissioner Newill ? If possible, I would like a report covering the last ten years showing how much was put into contingency every year; how much was used; and when a hurricane was hit when it was replenished. 11. CONSENT AGENDA ? None 12.PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REQUESTS RELATED TO ITEMS DISCUSSED AT MEETING ? None 13. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Commission. Mayor Hagelmann MOTION adjourned the Workshop at 2:40 P.M. upon a by Vice Mayor Asselta; seconded by Comm. Zwick. APPROVE: __________________________________________ Harold R. Hagelmann __________________________________________ Joseph J. Asselta, Vice Mayor __________________________________________ Miriam S. Zwick, Commissioner __________________________________________ Jim Newill, CPA, Commissioner _________________________________________ Doris M. Trinley, Commissioner Attest: __________________ Beverly M. Brown, Town Clerk Date: ____________________