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2007.02.13_TC_Minutes_SpecialY J ~- TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA TOWN COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY FEBRUARY 13 2007 1'00 P M Mayor Harold R. Hagelmann called the Special Meeting to order in Commission Chambers at 1:00 P.M. Deputy Town Clerk Jane Dillon called the roll. The Mayor, Vice Mayor Joseph J. Asselta and Commissioners Jim Newill, CPA, Rachael Scala-Pistone and Miriam Zwick were present. Town Attorney Thomas E. Sliney and Town Manager Dale Sugerman were also present, as were .members of the general public. Mayor Hagelmann noted that the Commission was meeting for the purpose of discussing Town Funding of Special Events. Public Comments • Doris Trinley -Asked what the amount was that was to be voted on at this meeting. The response was $5,000, and she asked about the $75,000 that had come up at a previous meeting. Vice Mayor responded that was just a number that was "put out there", and it could be any amount the Commission so desires to budget. Ms. Trinley asked that the Commission be careful about spending public funds and for what. Alan Teller -Questioned why a Special Meeting was called to vote on spending $5,000, when the Town Manager has authority to spend up to $15,000 without Commission approval. Commissioner Newill stated that it is a controversial subject, and needed to be discussed in public forum. Seymour Strauss -Has gotten 300 signatures on a Petition to support the musical programs of the lyric orchestra. Joe Yucht - Public has not been told what the money will be spent for, and why is the issue not going to the Financial Advisory Board for review. Leonard Bell -Asked the Commission to watch how they spend public funds, i.e. the Navy luncheon which should have been a voluntary attendance, not a Town supported event. Commissioner Newill clarified that the Financial Advisory Board addresses any situation • that the Town Commission asks them to address, the Town Commission can make financial decisions ana does not have to have every situation brought to the FAB • Town Commission February 13. 2007 Page 2 of 3 Vice Mayor Asselta clarified that at a prior meeting, the $50,000 to $75,000 was just mentioned as an amount to perhaps put aside for events. He noted that the Town should cover the LUTH expenses, and suggested the Town sponsor a 4th of July event at the request of Toscana residents. He suggested an Ad Hoc committee be formed to organize the events, consisting of the Town Manager representing staff, Commissioner Zwick representing the Town Commission, the Library Director and the Chair of the Cultural Board. He asked the Town to contribute $5,000 to support an orchestra event at St. Lucy Church on March 30 for all townspeople -there will be no charge at the door. Vice Mayor also said he has looked into using golf courses in Boca for the townspeople - he has had no requests for tennis or other sporting events. MOTION was made by VICE MAYOR ASSELTA to authorize the Town Manager to use up to $5,000 to go forward to arrange for a lyric orchestra performance at St. Lucy Church on March 30. MOTION WAS NOT SECONDED. Vice Mayor asked to place discussion of a 4th of July event on the next Workshop Meeting agenda. Commissioner Zwick noted that she is happy to act as liaison between the library and • the Cultural Board to see that the events don't coincide, conflict and so forth. She noted that the library has received grants, and the Friends of the Library act on their own for fund raising, etc. and the Town Commission does not get involved, yet the Cultural Board needs to come to the Commission to request funding. She noted that many residents are against the Cultural Board sending out letters soliciting funds, and feels the Commission needs to establish how the proposed events by the Cultural Board will be funded. Commissioner Newill clarified that he voted against (purchasing) tickets and that he introduced a Resolution at a former meeting. that the Town would not contribute to any charitable organization except in the event of a natural disaster, and the Resolution passed unanimously. He noted that the Library and Friends of the Library have been doing a fantastic job for a long time, and that the Cultural Board at two years is still organizing. He believes the Town should not support these two organizations, that residents should be "writing checks" to these two organizations and not expect the Town to take it from tax dollars. Commission Newill asked to go on record that the Commission received a letter from the tax watch group encouraging all municipalities not to take on new projects and make every effort to reduce their budgets next year, and noted that .Vice Mayor has asked to set up a committee to look at the portability problems. Commissioner Newill also stated that he is devoting the rest of his term to not voting for aziditional projects, and encourage department heads to reduce their own budgets. . Town Commission February 13, 2007 Page 3 of 3 Town Manager clarified that there are no funds in the budget for cultural activities, recreational activities or holiday events. For the Town Manager to spend up to $15,000, there must be a budgeted line item in the annual operating budget. Public Comments Victor Hadeed -Thanked the Commission for their time devoted to serving the Town. There should not have had public comments prior to the meeting in that the residents did not know what was going to be discussed. Alan Teller -Suggested changing the Cultural Advisory Board's name to Cultural Advisory and Recreation Board. He noted that nothing about the Lynn University arrangements were brought up today. Also noted that the Mayor invited him to the Navy luncheon, and he refused because he felt it was out of order for the Town to support. Seymour Strauss -Embarrassed about the Commission "voting against charity". Hazel Holsborg, Villa Magna -asked who paid for the Christmas tree, with Mayor stating that the first one was paid for by the Town and has since been purchased through donations as were the other holiday decorations. • Doris Trinley asked what percentage 150 people at an event is of the 4,000 residents, of which Commissioner Newill replied about 10%. She felt that was not a worthwhile percentage for Town sponsorship. Joe Yucht -Does not think the agenda item of discussion of special events was specific enough for discussion purposes today. Mr. Sugerman disagreed, that the topic was an overall broad discussion and was. perfect for what discussions took place today. Commissioner Zwick was under the impression just the $5,000 issue was being discussed, Commissioner Newill thought it was to focus on the Lynn University events. Vice Mayor Asselta pointed out that the Town never intended to take ultimate responsibility of the Cultural Board events. With no further business to come before the Board, MOTION to adjourn -was made at 2:30 p.m. by COMMISSIONER NEWILL/COMMISSIONER ZWICK. APPROVAL: Mayor Harold R. Hagelmann Vice Mayor Joseph J. Asselta Commissioner Raehael Scala-Pistone Commissioner Miri m ~S. Zwick Commissi ner i N it PA ATTEST: ~~: C~