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Town of Ocean Ridge |
Town Hall: |
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Town Hall Building & Zoning Police Department
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Environmental Resources Advisory Board of the Town of Ocean Ridge Meeting held on April 28, 1999 in the Town Hall meeting chambers. The meeting was attended by Town Manager Dunham, Deputy Town Clerk Lisa Herrmann and the following members: Bud Aaskov, Kim Beaumont, Charlotte Carle, Jerry Goray, Jerry Lower, Don MaGruder, Barbara Souther, and Luis Vinas. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Aaskov.
Charlotte Carle questioned the language discussed for the signs at the last meeting and stated that she felt it would be redundant to include the same messages on the signs along Old Ocean Blvd. and the signs on the crossovers. It was decided that the verbiage for the signs would be discussed under that item on the agenda. Chairman Aaskov explained that the third paragraph under Item IV means that the signs must be buried 5’ under the ground although he did not think it was clear in the minutes. He did not ask for an amendment to be made. Jerry Lower moved to accept the minutes as presented, seconded by Barbara Souther. Motion carried – yea 8. Town Manager Dunham suggested that the property at Woolbright and A1A be discussed before the street signs to which the Board concurred.
Town Manager Dunham stated that Richard Walesky, ERM, prepared an inventory of the property for the town that indicated that more than 50% of the property is covered by invasive species. He advised that the town currently pays an annual fee to the county forestry program that can be very helpful to the town in regards to technical forestry assistance and grant assistance. He explained that he hoped to have a planner at the next meeting who would be able to discuss grants and what changes may be necessary to the town’s comprehensive plan. Regarding the playground that the board had discussed placing on the property, Town Manager Dunham stated that the Atty for the National Wildlife would confer to see what their client’s position is on the issue, but advised that he felt they would be in favor of a play area with the pressure treated wood equipment as opposed to the bright, plastic ones. He added that the Atty advised him that his clients would not be in favor of a large parking area. Town Manager Dunham stated that the board had asked him to research a definition of a natural preserve area to which he stated that after talking to Atty Nicoletti, he did not find any state statute which has a definition which would apply to a municipality. He advised that he felt the town could have their own definition placed in the comprehensive plan. Town Manager Dunham advised that he felt the board needed to wait for the feedback from the National Wildlife Association, explore grants and discuss ideas with the County Commission before deciding on any concrete plans for the park. Luis Vinas questioned how the board would get cost estimates to which Town Manager Dunham stated that he would have a consultant provide an estimate to the board. Dr. Vinas stated that he felt the board needed to move quickly and that he could see that things are already dragging. Town Manager Dunham explained that there are no funds currently budgeted for anything at this park except for consultants. Mr. Lower stated that he felt the board could come to a consensus of what they wanted in the park and the best locations for them. Chairman Aaskov stated that he felt once the invasives are removed, the open spaces would lay the park out for them. Town Manager Dunham advised that when the invasives are removed, the board would also have to decide what native species to replant. Town Manager Dunham explained that the planner who will be present at the next meeting would be able to help with all of the board’s questions. He stated that the board would need to consider issues such as if there will be a fence, what type it will be and if they want the park to be visible from A1A or Midlane. Chairman Aaskov stated that he felt the park would be in the front area where the elevation is the highest. Kim Beaumont questioned if fill could be brought in once the invasives were removed to which Chairman Aaskov explained that fill would kill all of the trees which are not removed. There was a discussion regarding timetables for applying for grant applications for budget planning. It was explained to the board that grants are usually applied for and, if approved, the municipality then allocates funds in the following year for the project. Dr. Vinas suggested that the residents conduct a fundraiser and not worry with grants. Town Manager Dunham stated that he wanted to obtain information on building a play area similar to the play station built by volunteers in Boynton Beach. Town Manager Dunham explained that he would be able to obtain an estimate quickly for removal of the exotics and have a park planner present for their next meeting. Mr. Goray suggested that the planner draw up a schematic on suggestions for the park. Mrs. Beaumont questioned if there would be room for a fitness trail with places to do various exercises such as pull-ups. Mr. Lower moved to have the Town Manager obtain an accurate estimate for the removal of the exotics on the National Wildlife Property and have someone present at the next meeting to coach the board on how to design a park, seconded by Mrs. Carle. Motion carried unanimously. Chairman Aaskov stated that because of the nature of the replanting, there might be areas of the park that will have to be sectioned off for a period of time for the new plants to be established. Mr. MaGruder questioned what the town’s liability would be for a park to which Town Manager Dunham explained that the town would only have to purchase additional insurance.
Town Manager Dunham explained that he had provided the board with various examples of signs and posts from very fancy to very modern, but that he did not have costs for any of them yet. He stated that for entrance signs, a town would typically hire someone to make a logo specific for the town. He showed a street sign that had been designed by a resident which had a scene with a dune, house, palm trees and waves over one street name and a scene with sea turtles and a fish over the other with a pineapple in the middle. Mrs. Carle stated that she liked the artwork on the street sign, but did not like the printing of the street name. Dr. Vinas suggested that the board find a town logo and then decide what to do with the street signs. Chairman Aaskov stated that he felt the logo should be kept simple. In regards to the street sign design, Mr. Lower stated that he thought the one design minus the house and dune would be nice for both sides of the sign and suggested perhaps a palm tree instead of a pineapple in the middle. Mr. Goray questioned how much the Town Commission was willing to budget for this project. Chairman Aaskov suggested that the board may want to do only A1A first. Mrs. Souther suggested that the board decide on the multiple message signs on Old Ocean Blvd. first to show that the board is credible. Mrs. Beaumont stated that she liked the idea of having a town logo on the signs on Old Ocean Blvd. Chairman Aaskov stated that he would like to form a sub-committee to determine what the verbiage should be on the signs. Dr. Vinas stated that the board would then re-discuss what the sub-committee had decided, so the issue should just stay with the entire board. Chairman Aaskov stated that he felt the board agreed on the wording at the previous meeting. Mrs. Souther stated that she would like to re-discuss the wording for the signs. There was discussion on whether to put the words "No Parking" or "No Parking on Old Ocean Blvd." on the signs. It was the consensus of the board to have the signs along Old Ocean Blvd. include the logo and say "Welcome to the Beach" and "No Parking." There was further discussion on the enforceability of the signs to be placed on the dune crossovers. Chairman Aaskov did not feel that the restrictions could be posted in a "polite manner" and still be enforceable. After consulting with the Town Atty, Town Manager Dunham advised that for "no parking" there would be no other polite way to state it, but that environmental issues could be worded politely and be enforceable. He stated that he would research the acceptable language for the next meeting. Mrs. Souther suggested that the logo and "Welcome to the Beach" also be included on the smaller warning signs on the crossovers.
Mrs. Souther stated that she would like to invite Robert Barron, Landscape Architect, to the next meeting to speak on the benefits of cutting seagrapes lower as opposed to windowing. She stated that they could make suggestions to the Town Commission if they feel the current ordinance that requires windowing should be changed. It was the consensus of the board to have Mrs. Souther invite Robert Barron to speak at the next meeting. Chairman Aaskov stated that he would like the board to have more meetings than only one a month to which Town Manager Dunham explained that it is difficult for the staff when there are too many meetings. Town Manager Dunham asked the board if they could change the night of their meetings to Thursday to which Dr. Vinas and Mrs. Carle stated that Thursdays would not be good for them. Mr. Lower questioned if the board should make a motion regarding the signs that they want to present to the Town Commission to which Town Manager Dunham stated that the board needed to decide on a logo and the wording of the signs first. Dr. Vinas questioned when they could have the approval from the Town Commission for the expenditure of getting designs for a logo to which Town Manager Dunham stated that if he is able to use the funds budgeted for consultants for the board, they would not have to ask the Commission for authorization. He added that he would investigate if they can use the budgeted money and then get a few proposals. The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 PM. |
