2001.11.16_CRB_Minutes_RegularTOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH
• CHARTER REVIEW BOARD
MEETING MINUTES
November 16, 2001 _ 10:00 a.m.
Chairman Arlin G. Voress opened the meeting at 10:00 am in Town Commission
Chambers. In attendance were Chairman Voress, Vice-Chair James F. Niehoff, Leonard
D. Bell, Neil W. Burd, Doris M. Trinley, Joseph S. Yucht and Miriam S. Zwick. Also
present were Mayor Reid, Vice-Mayor Michael W. Hill, Commissioners John J. Sorrelli,
Robert L. Lowe and Rachael Scala-Pistone. Attorney Thomas E. Sliney and Town
Manager Ben Saag were also present.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Upon MOTION by MR. BURD/MR. NIEHOFF the Minutes of the September 24, 2001
and the October 2, 2001 meetings were unanimously approved.
NEW BUSINESS
ARTICLE II (41) -FUNDING LIMITATION
Chairman Voress explained that the $350,000 stated is the amount allotted for
• expenditure of any needed high expense item. As this amount was established ten
years ago at the last Charter Review, in today's time, this may not be substantial enough
to cover any major expense.
Mayor Reid agreed that $350,00 is not adequate enough and recommended an amount
of 1 mil to 1-1/2 million. He also suggested removing the wordage "acts of god" and
"destruction of life".
Vice-Mayor Hill suggested increasing the $350,000 by 15-20%, and removing the
remaining exceptions section.
Commissioner Scala-Piston suggested including a 5-10 year long term budget for future
expenditures. It was noted that the town's budget includes and proposed items such as
this.
Commissioner Sorrelli stated that he would like to see the dollar amount place at 1
million, which he felt would be enough coverage.
Commissioner Lowe agreed that the $350,00 was not sufficient, and felt some controls
needed to be put in place. He suggested that the Town look at the percentage of
revenues that come in, and increase the $350,000 appropriately.
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November 16 2001 Paae 2 of 3
There was discussion of having a referendum on the March ballot to increase fund.
Chairman Voress noted that tough times financially may be ahead for some people next
year (due to the war in Afghanistan), and if the number goes up too soon, the Town may
have trouble getting this passed. He recommended holding on a referendum issue until
fall of 2002, or even March of 2003, indicating that there is really no rush to get this
passed.
The Board continued discussion of these items, and agreed to continue discussion of
same in the months ahead.
ARTICLE I SEC. 1.06 (2) & (3)
. TERM LIMITS
. LENGTH OF TERMS
. DISTRICTS
Chairman Voress asked the Commission to comment on the above issues.
Commissioner Lowe stated that he would like to change terms so that each
commissioner would run by himself, rather than two at a time. He recommended to
• change terms to 3 years for 3 terms (total 9 years in office), not 2 years for 3 terms (total
6 years in office.)
Commissioner Sorrelli suggested having no change, that the structure in place has been
successful all these years. He would like to leave the issue alone until he can hear more
information on it.
Commissioner Scala-Pistone suggested increasing to 3 year terms from 2. That 2 years
is up too fast for someone new who needs more time to "get up to speed."
She recommends 2 terms at 3 years each (total 6 years in office.)
Vice-Mayor Hill would like to consider moving the Town election from March to
November, whereby there would be a better voter turnout. He also felt there was a
problem with 2 seats open at the same time, and recommended to assign seat numbers
for 3 seats, and anyone may run for one of those seats only.
If election is changed to November, terms should be every 2 years, and for more
continuity, perhaps have a 4 year term for Mayor and Vice-Mayor. Vice-Mayor Hill also
suggested that the town at least remain with the 3 - 2 year terms
When Chairman Voress asked for opinions on creating districts, the following comments
were made:
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• Charter Review Board
November 16. 2001 Page 3 of 3
Vice-Mayor Hill felt it was too expensive an endeavor, and would have to be redrawn
every ten years to reflect population changes. Vice-Mayor Hill was asked how long he
felt a commissioner needs to "get up to speed" in a commission seat. He responded
that one month would be sufficient.
Mayor Reid stated that a 2 year period in office does not allow enough time for
continuity, and that more time is need to "get up to speed", and that by the end of a 2
year stay, subject Commissioner would be ready to be a "1st class act." He felt 3 or 4
years would be better; commission probably 3 years, Mayor and Vice Mayor maybe two
to four years.
The overall conclusion of above discussion was that there was no interest in switching
the March election to November, and consensus was against districting, as the Town is
too small.
Attorney Sliney stated that the issues being considered -term limits and length of terms -
probably will require a referendum, and felt there was not sufficient time to get a
referendum on the March ballot, as there is still too much to digest and evaluate.
• Chairman Voress thanked the Town Commission and public for attending the meeting,
and talking about the Charter under which the residents live. He stated that the Board
will evaluate the input and come up with a recommendation to the Town Commission.
With no further business to come before the Board, MOTION to adjourn was made by
VICE CHAIR NIEHOFF/MR. BURD at 10:50 a.m.
ADJOURN:
Arlin G. Voress, Ch.
James F. Niehoff, V.Ch.
Leonard D. Bell
Neil W. Burd
Doris M. Trinley
Joseph S. Yucht
Miriam S. Zwick
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