2022.04.05_TC_Minutes_Regular TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH
TOWN COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
Town Hall / Commission Chambers Date: April 05, 2022
3614 South Ocean Boulevard Time: 1:30 PM
Highland Beach, Florida 33487
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Hillman called the meeting to order at 1.30 P.M.
2. 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 T. Torcivia
Town Clerk Lanelda Gaskins
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Town Commission led the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Mayor Hillman commented on an article he read regarding the Town of Highland
Beach as a safe community.
MOTION: David/Gossett-Seidman - Moved to approve the agenda as presented,
which passed unanimously 5 to 0.
5. PRESENTATIONS / PROCLAMATIONS
A. Water Conservation Proclamation
Mayor Hillman read the proclamation into the record.
Town Commission Meeting Minutes
Date: April 05, 2022 Page 2 of 6
6. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Ms. Rosalyn Yellin expressed that she was in favor of the proposed changes related
to the 25-foot setback for accessory marine facilities along the waterfront properties.
7. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Board Vacancies
Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board - One vacancy for an unexpired
term ending April 30, 2024
Planning Board - One vacancy for a three-year term
Meetings and Events
April 12, 2022 - 1:00 P.M. Code Enforcement Board Regular Meeting
April 14, 2022 - 9:30 A.M. Planning Board Regular
April 19, 2022 - 1:30 P.M. Town Commission Meeting
Board Action Report
A. None.
8. ORDINANCES
A. Ordinance No. 2022-003 (Second Reading/Public Hearing)
An Ordinance of the Town of Highland Beach, Florida, amending the Town
Code of Ordinances, Chapter 25, "Streets, Sidewalks, Bicycle/Walkway
Path, and Right-of-Way," in order to eliminate obsolete provisions
pertaining to news racks; providing for the repeal of all ordinances in
conflict; providing for severability and codification; and providing an
effective date. (First Reading was March 01, 2022)
Mayor Hillman announced the title Ordinance No. 2022-003.
Town Planner Ingrid Allen presented this item and explained the changes to the
ordinance as it relates to unlawful news racks.
Mayor Hillman opened the public hearing for comments. Hearing none he
closed the public hearing.
MOTION: David/Moore - Moved to adopt Ordinance No. 2022-003. Upon roll
call, the motion passed unanimously 5 to 0.
Town Commission Meeting Minutes
Date: April 05, 2022 Page 3 of 6
9. CONSENT AGENDA
A. None.
10. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. Fire Rescue Implementation Update
Town Manager Labadie introduced this item. He mentioned that Skip Miller, of
Greenspoon Marder LLP (Bond Counsel), Johnathan Ford of Ford &
Associates, Inc. (Financial Advisors), and Town Attorney Aleksandr Boksner
were present. Town Manager Labadie mentioned that the idea was to begin the
conversations on what is involved with the bank loans, the legal element related
to loans, to get to the marketplace to get the best possible interest rates on the
loans.
Mr. Miller commented on the process the Town will follow to secure the bank
loans. He stated that there would need to be an ordinance as well as a
resolution regarding this matter. He spoke about a concept called convenient to
budget and appropriate from legally available non-ad valorem revenues
(CDNA).
Mr. Ford provided comments about the fixed-rate bank loan with prepayment
provisions, construction loans, and financing the interest rates and a line of
credit at a fixed interest rate. There were further discussions about the different
financing options and the various loan types up for consideration.
There were discussions about the bank loans, secured interest rates and the
anticipated financing schedule.
The proposed ordinance will be presented on April 19, 2022, at the Town
Commission meeting.
MOTION: David/Shoemaker - Moved to approve the tentative schedule
presented for financing the construction of the Fire Department,
which passed unanimously 5 to 0.
B. Mission and Vision Statements for Strategic Plan - Vice Mayor Moore
Vice Mayor Moore presented this item. She asked the Town Commission for
input on Town's vision and mission statements. Each member of the Town
Commission provided comments about the mission and vision statements.
Jack Halpern provided comments on keywords and phrases that he identified
with that may be included in the mission and vision statements.
Town Commission Meeting Minutes
Date: April 05, 2022 Page 4 of 6
11. NEW BUSINESS
A. Designation of the Town's Voting Delegates to Palm Beach County
League of Cities for 2022/2023
Mayor Hillman introduced this item.
MOTION: David/Shoemaker - Moved to delegate Commissioner Peggy Gossett-
Seidman as the Town's voting delegate and each of the
Commissioners named an alternate delegate to Palm Beach League of
Cities, which passed unanimously 5 to 0.
B. Discussion on Town Entry Signage Design Concepts
Town Manager Labadie presented along with a PowerPoint depicting pictures
of various entry signage.
The Town Commission discussed the different sign options with Mayor Hillman
suggesting getting rid of contemporary signage. Commissioner Shoemaker
provided comments about the necessity of new signs, the amount of money
being spent on the signs as well as why it is a priority right now. Mayor Hillman
also elaborated on the need to start the process now as it is a lengthy process.
Commissioners David and Gossett-Seidman both provided their thoughts on
what should and should not be included in the new signs.
Vice Mayor Moore will sponsor this project and will present the item on April 19,
2022, at the Town Commission meeting. The item will be placed under
Unfinished Business.
Public Comments:
Jack Halpern provided comments about entry signs. He also mentioned that he
will include information in the Committee to Save Highland Beach email
regarding this matter.
C. Approval of Commission Meeting Minutes
Mayor Hillman announced this item.
February 01, 2022, Commission Meeting Minutes
February 15, 2022, Commission Meeting Minutes
MOTION: David/Moore - Moved to accept February 01, 2022, Commission
Meeting Minutes, and February 15, 2022, Commission Meeting
Minutes, which passed unanimously 5 to 0.
Town Commission Meeting Minutes
Date: April 05, 2022 Page 5 of 6
12. TOWN COMMISSION COMMENTS
Commissioner John Shoemaker provided comments about the Veterans tab on the
Town's website, a breakfast event he attended at IHOP with Highland Beach
veteran residents, and the traffic on the intracoastal Waterway. Then he inquired
about the Library being closed to events. Lastly, he talked about the
misunderstandings of the referendum question concerning Commissioners' salaries.
Mr. Jack Halpern thanked David Axelrod for the recommendation letter he wrote to
the Town Commission concerning his application to the Planning Board. He
explained why he withdrew his application prior to being interviewed by the Town
Commission.
Commissioner Evalyn David provided comments about a safety issue concerning
the residents and owners of Jamaica Manor.
Commissioner Peggy Gossett-Seidman provided comments about the
Commissioners being responsible for the safety of the residents.
1. League of Cities Updates
She also spoke about the recent League of Cities meeting that she attended. In
addition, she provided an update as follows:
1) Palm Tran provided information as it relates to electric buses and it was
determined that the electric buses were not fully economical, 2) electric charging
stations at local gas stations and the significantly high cost of purchasing one, 3)
upgrading of bus shelters in Palm Beach County through federal funding, 4) the
allocation of $60 million for cyber security, 5) $6 million was allocated toward
municipalities for grants and funding, and 6) the Inspector General and the
Commission on Ethics are invited to speak at the county-wide Commission and
Counsel session.
She thanked Florida House Representative Michael Caruso, District 89 and Senator
Gail Harold of North County, Martin, and Indian River County for their efforts in the
Substance Abuse Bill.
Vice Mayor Natasha Moore asked about modifying the email announcement that
goes out to residents about the agendas and meetings.
Mayor Douglas Hillman mentioned the volume of work on the agenda including
Zoning and Marine Accessory facilities and the need to put zoning on the back
burner due to the limited staffing availability and the abundance of resources
needed to update it. He presented pictures to the Town Commission of a property
located on Intracoastal Drive and discussed the higher elevation of the newer
homes, the seawall, and the obstructed view. The Commissioners discussed the
other issues that may take place as a result of the higher seawalls and the
possibility of implementing height restrictions.
Town Commission Meeting Minutes
Date: April 05, 2022 Page 6 of 6
13. TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT
Town Attorney Torcivia updated the Town Commission on the legislative changes.
He mentioned the bill regarding restricted communication, the bill regarding an
ordinance being passed that impacts a business by 15%, and the smoking ban on
public beaches.
14. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT
Town Manager Labadie provided an update on the following:
On May 1, 2022, the Library will resume with the community events and programs.
Over the next few years there will be a potential parking issues at Town Hall due to
the construction of the Fire Station.
The bidding process for the sewer lining and the process of the project would be
about a six to eight-month timeline. The Florida Department of Transportation
(FDOT) indicated that the repaving project will take about 12 months and will begin
in early 2024.
15. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 4:20 P.M.
APPROVED rMaQ22, Town Commission Meeting.
ATTEST: Douglas Hillman, Mayor
•FLOR•••P Transcribed by
Ganelle Thompson
May 17, 2022
el a Gaskins, MM Date
Town Clerk
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-Hhighlandbeach-
fl.municodemeetings.com/.