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2007.01.02_TC_Minutes_Regular ... TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH MINUTES OF TOWN COMMISSION MEETING REGULAR MEETING Tuesday Januar~2 2007 1:30 P.M. Mayor Harold R. Hagelmann called the Regular Meeting to order in Commission Chambers at 1:30 P.M., wishing all a Happy New Year. Town Clerk Doris Trinley called the roll. The Mayor, Vice Mayor Joseph J. Asselta, and Commissioners Rachael Scala-Pistone, Miriam S. Zwick and Jim Newill, CPA, were present. Also present were Town Attorney Thomas E. Sliney, Town Manager Dale S. Sugerman and members of the general public. After Roll Call, the Pledge of Allegiance was given, followed by a moment of silence in honor of the nation's military personnel. 1. ADDITIONS. DELETIONS OR ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA With no objection, the Agenda was amended to include, under "New Business," the procedure to be followed regarding the hiring of a Town Clerk. 2. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REQUESTS Seamer Strauss, Boa Hi, advised he would not seek a referendum to ask the voting public if the Town should financially support the Lyric Chamber Orchestra and related groups, as the process to do so was too involved. He added that if he could not get financial support from the Town or another sponsor, the orchestra would "leave" Highland Beach. Thus ensued a substantial discussion regarding use of public monies for charities or events that would benefit or be seen favorable by some, but not all, of the residents. It was noted that most residents have their own favorite charities to which they give on a personal. dasas. Town Attorney Sliney repeated what he had previously advised, e.g., that if the Town Commission wants to, it can contribute to charities or charitable events; however, there sfaau~d be a policy as to whether or not it wants to put itself in a position of choosing among-charities or charitable events. In conclusion, the following MOTION was made by COII~Mi~SIONER NEWILLNICE MAYOR ASSELTA: THAT THE Tf~iNN COMMISSION MAKE IT A POLICY THAT HIGHLAND BEACH NOT CONTRIBUTE TO ANY CHARITIES, EXCEPT NATIONAL DISASTERS, AND THAT SUCH POLICY BE PLACED ON THE NEXT REGULAR AGENDA FOR CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL. Minutes of Town Commission Regular Meeting Agenda • January 2, 2007 Page 2 of 5 2. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REQUESTS (continued) Roll call vote was as follows: Commissioner Newill -Yes Commissioner Zwick -Yes Commissioner Scala-Pistone -Yes Vice Mayor Asselta -Yes Mayor Hagelmann - No Motion passed with majority vote. Joe Yucht, Boa Hi, offered that any solicited funds by the Cultural Board should to into the Town coffers and not be earmarked for the Board; he added that, in his opinion, the Cultural Board should become a 501 C corporation. 3. PRESENTATIONS NONE. 4. BOARDS AND COMMITTEES A) BOARD CORRESPONDENCE: NONE. B) BOARD VACANCIES: ONE (1) ON FINANCIAL ADVISORY BOARD; ONE (1) ON CULTURAL BOARD; ONE (1) ON BOARD OFADJUSTMENT; ONE (1) ON PLANNING BOARD (LEONARD BELL'S TERM EXPIRED). Upon MOTION by COMMISSIONER ZWICK/COMMISSIONER SCALA-PISTONE, Theresa Colarullo was appointed to a three-year term on the Board of Adjustment. C) BOARD ACTION REPORT. Accepted as information. D) MONTHLY BOARD MEETINGS: Read into the record by the Mayor. Planning Board -Regular - 1/10/07 - 10:00 A.M. Board of Adjustment -Quarterly -1/16/07 - 9:30 A.M. CodA Enforcement Board -Regular & Quarterly - 1/24/07 - 9:30 A.M. Financiai Advisory Board -None Scheduled. ,.Beaches 8~ Shores Advisory -Regular - 1/9/07 - 9:30 A.M. Cultural hoard -Regular - 1/25/07 - 9:30 A.M. 5. PROPOSED dRDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS NONE. Minutes of Town Commission Regular Meeting January 2, 2007 Page 3 of 5 • 6. NEW BUSINESS 1) PROCEDURE FOR HIRING OF TOWN CLERK Town Manager Sugerman presented a list of candidates to the members, requesting them to select three (3) for interview purposes, and return the completed form to him by the close of business on Thursday, January 4. Upon MOTION by COMMISSIONER NEWILL/COMMISSIONER ZWICK, followed by unanimous favorable vote, the Town Manager was requested to interview the ranked candidates within the same timeframe as the Town Commission interviews and provide the Commission his rankings of the selected candidates. (copy of ballot attached hereto and made part of these Minutes) 2) AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN AN AMENDMENT AND EXTENSION OF SOLID WASTE AND RECYCLING COLLECTION AGREEMENT WITH WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC. Town Attorney Sliney asked that any action be postponed at this time so that he could thoroughly review the amendment/extension, noting the Town was given an extension of contract through February 9. Mr. Sliney advised that he will prepare a draft ordinance in time for the February meeting. Mr. Sugerman thanked Commissioner Newill for his input and review of the amendment/extension, and advised that three (3) categories of customers (back door, side door, off-curb)) were eliminated. (copy of amendment/extension attached to and made part of these Minutes) 7. MISCELLANEOUS -ITEMS LEFT OVER 1) DISCUSSION RE "LIGHT UP THE HOLIDAYS" CELEBRATION. Vice Mayor Asselta addressed this issue, as he had requested it be an agenda item. The Vice Mayor made several points -that the 2006 turnout was negligible because local talent was not asked to perform soon enough so as not to have a schedule conflict; that there was not enough publicity in that St. Lucy's Church was never notified in time to announce it in a timely bulletin; that there was too much "speechifying;" and that the idea of the Town of Highland Beach soliciting "freebies" from such sources as Publix and King's was degrading. The Vice Mayor also took issue with the fact that the entire Commissidn was not involved; reminding that the Cultural Board, who sponsors LUTH, should bring their ideas to the full Commission, who -are responsible to approve or disapprove. Vice Mayor Asselta concluded by asking that the item be placed on the next Regular Agenda for further discussion. 2) ~ MINt~TES FOR APPROVAL: Upon MOTION by COMMISSIONER NEWILL/COMMISSIONER SCALA-PISTONS, .the follo~rir~,g~ set of Minutes was unanimously approved: • DECEMBER 12, 2006 REGULAR MEETING Minutes of Town Commission Regular Meeting January 2. 2007 Page 4 of 5 • 8. REPORTS -TOWN COMMISSION Commissioner Jim Newill, CPA, prompted substantial discussion by distributing information regarding estimated costs involved with Town marine patrol, which was received from Financial Advisory Board Chair, Allan Teller. (Copy attached to and made part of these Minutes.) Many ideas as to the proactive v. reactive function of the Board were offered. In conclusion, and upon MOTION by COMMISSIONER SCALA- PISTONE/COMMISSIONER ZWICK, followed by unanimous favorable vote, it was decided that the Financial Advisory Board should be asked to participate in making recommendations to the Town Commission whenever necessary. Commissioner Miriam S. Zwick questioned the method of searching for a new Police Chief, saying it was her thought that staying "in house" was but a first step. However, the majority of the members responded that searching outside the existing force had been tried previously, and this time they wanted to continue the search among the existing police force. Commissioner Rachael Scala-Pistone had no report. Vice Mayor Joseph J. Asselta noted that the Cultural Board is an advisory board, not an action board, and repeated his request that the "Light Up .The Holidays" function be an agenda item for discussion at the February 6, 2007 Regular Meeting. • Mayor Harold R. Hagelmann had no report. 9. REPORTS -TOWN ATTORNEY Town Attorney Thomas E. Sliney reminded of the Attorney-Client Meeting set for January 11 at 10:00 A.M. 10. REPORTS -TOWN MANAGER Town Manager Dale S. Sugerman advised that this meeting would be the Town Clerk's last, as after 18+ years of administrative service to the Town, she would retire on Friday, January 5. 11. CONSENT AGENDA NONE. 12: PI~BLIC ~OtVIMENTS AND REQUESTS RELATED TO ITEMS DISCUSSED AT MEETING Allan Telier, 4210 S. Ocean Boulevard, Financial Advisory Board Chair, thanked the .Commission for its discussion re the FAB functions, and reiterated that while the Board makes .only recommendations, it can be of real value to Commission decisions in financial matters. Minutes of Town Commission Regular Meeting January 2 2007 Page 5 of 5 12. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REQUESTS RELATED TO ITEMS DISCUSSED AT MEETING (continued) Joe Yucht, Boa Hi, regarding "Light Up The Holidays," requested that the Commission get a written legal opinion as to how much money can be spent by the Town for religious displays. Mr. Yucht also suggested that any expenditure of $20,000 or more be reviewed by the Financial Advisory Board. 13. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Commission at this time, Mayor Hagelmann adjourned the Regular Meeting at 4:25 P.M. upon MOTION by COMMISSIONER NEWILL/COMMISSIONER ZWICK. dmt APPROVE: ~R. H~elmann, Mayor. _. - ~~ .. _- ~,~ ~'cfL.. (~ (sue J. Mayor Rachael Scala-Pistone, Commissioner Attest: o ~ ~ ~ ~,/ t ~ ~~~ ~ Miriam S. Zwick, Commission r 4 Jim N ill, CPA, Co missioner