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Town of Ocean Ridge |
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Regular Town Commission Meeting of the Town of Ocean Ridge held on Monday, August 7, 2000 at 6:30 PM in the Town Hall Meeting Chambers. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Aaskov and roll call was answered by the following: Commissioner Bingham Commissioner Bridges Commissioner Kaleel Mayor Aaskov It was noted for the record that Comm Willens was absent. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, an invocation was read by Comm Kaleel. Additions, Deletions, Modifications and Approval of Agenda Comm Bingham stated that she would like to discuss items #4 and #5 which are included on the consent agenda. Comm Bridges requested to add an item regarding an update on the Palm Beach County Intergovernmental Clearinghouse as item #13.
Town Manager Dunham explained that it is a countywide program that each municipality has signed up for involving pre and post disaster planning. It also provides access to FEMA’s Federal Mitigation Assistance grant program which provides funding for pre-disaster mitigation projects and activities. He explained that this will be another potential funding source for the Town’s stormwater related improvements. Town Manager Dunham explained that the additional costs were mostly due to cost overruns such as extra copying which needed to be done as a result of changes made by the staff. CONSENT AGENDA
Comm Kaleel moved to approve the consent agenda, seconded by Comm Bingham. Motion carried – yea 4. Announcements and Proclamations Town Clerk Hancsak read the above announcement. Public Comment Don MaGruder, 9 Ridge Blvd., commented that he felt the Town would need to trim the coconuts on public right-of-ways now that hurricane season has begun. He also commented that there are two lots in violation of the grass height violation, one on Ridge Blvd. and one on Hibiscus Way. Town Clerk Hancsak stated that a violation letter has been sent to the owners of 15 Ridge Blvd., but one was not sent to the owners on Hibiscus Way because they are going to demolish the house soon. Mayor Aaskov suggested that the Town write the owners on Hibiscus Way a letter to which Town Clerk Hancsak advised that she would. Public Hearings None Regular Agenda Actions and Reports Town Manager Dunham advised that several concerns regarding the Ocean Ave. bridge landscaping have been brought to him by the Commissioners. He suggested that a landscape architect be hired by the Town to not only make the final inspection before acceptance, but to make several interim inspections as well. Comm Bingham distributed pictures of the landscaping stating that she felt some of the plants have already been eaten by two different varieties of snails. She added that the plans call for 2’ of topsoil which she stated was topsoil mixed with pieces of concrete. She also included a picture of a driveway on Ocean Ave. being ripped up in order to place a sprinkler. Comm Bridges stated that he felt the Town should first do a test to see how much topsoil is in place and how much shellrock is with it. He advised that he felt $3,000 was too much money for this project. Comm Bridges moved to approve an amount not to exceed $2,000 from the contingency account for the inspection and written acceptance of the Ocean Ave. landscaping project by a licensed landscape architect, seconded by Comm Kaleel. Comm Kaleel stated that he was in agreement with Comm Bingham’s concerns. He commented that he felt some of the plants were dead when they were installed and that there was not 2’ of topsoil. He added that he felt this inspection should have been done sooner as it will be difficult to make changes now. Town Manager Dunham stated that in talking to DOT, he felt that they would be responsive to the Town and any changes that needed to be made. Bruce Gimmy, 12 Ocean Ave., questioned if the landscape architect would also inspect the irrigation system to which Town Manager Dunham advised that they would. Roll call was taken on Comm Bridges’ motion. Motion carried – yea 4. Comm Kaleel moved that no acceptance of the landscaping at Ocean Ave. be valid without approval by the Town Commission, seconded by Comm Bridges. Motion carried – yea 4. Town Manager Dunham explained that the county is planning a significant maintenance project in the ICWW and the deposition basin west of the Ocean Inlet Park. He advised that approximately 100,000 cubic yards of sand would be pumped onto the beach from Ocean Hammock Park to Oceanfront Park. He stated that in preparing the specifications for bid, the county would like to request a variance from the ordinance regarding work hours. He stated that if allowed to dredge twenty-four hours a day, the project would be completed in twenty-one days as opposed to fifty days. He added that the county had applied for a permit to blast the rock pit and complete the job much faster, but it was turned down by DEP because of potential conflicts with the manatees. Daniel Bates, Supervisor of beach maintenance for Palm Beach County, stated that the county has already dredged out the marina area and under the bridge at Island Drive and created a new T-Groin. He explained that once the rock pit is dug, the area should only have to be emptied once every eight years. Mayor Aaskov questioned if the pounding for the rock pit would continue for twenty-four hours a day to which Mr. Bates advised that only the dredging would continue twenty-four hours a day. He explained that the plant for the dredging would be smaller than the one used for the beach renourishment project and consequently quieter as well. Mayor Aaskov questioned if the sand could be placed at the south end of Town where it is badly needed to which Mr. Bates advised that the sand would eventually drift down to the south end of the Town. Mr. Bates advised that the bulldozer and grader would be working 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but only operating when there is enough sand to move. Comm Kaleel stated that the work would be done mainly in front of Hammock Park and Oceanfront Park where the noise will have little impact on the residents. County Comm Mary McCarty questioned why the project could not be done in May during the off season to which Mr. Bates explained that turtle season starts in May. He added that the actual rockwork would probably not start until April when there are fewer residents in Town. Comm Bridges stated that he felt there needed to be definite time restrictions on the pounding of the rock. Comm Bingham questioned if there was an aquifer under the area to be dug, as she was concerned about sinkholes forming to which Mr. Bates stated that he is not aware of any aquifers. Comm Kaleel moved to grant permission for the dredging to be done twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week in front of Hammock and Oceanfront Parks and to limit the pounding of the rock to dawn to dusk. Jim Berry, PBC Environmental Director, stated that the area of the rock pit by the Inlet is in the County jurisdiction and any work hours there would be controlled by the County. Comm McCarty stated that she agreed with Comm Kaleel’s motion in that it should include that the extended dredging hours are contingent upon the rock pounding not being done at night. Tom Sheer, 129 Island Drive, questioned where the pounding would be done to which Comm Bridges showed him on the diagram provided by the County where it would take place. Mr. Sheer stated that there are already too many construction sites on his street and that he felt allowing the County to work seven days a week would be too much for him. Mr. Bates advised that the pounding would not be continuous, as once some of the rock is loosened, the pounding would stop as the rock is removed. Comm Kaleel explained that by allowing the County to work extended hours, the project length would decrease from fifty days to twenty-one days. Comm Bridges stated that he felt the extended hours should be granted because of the great benefit the Town will receive as a result of this project. Comm Bingham seconded Comm Kaleel’s motion. Comm Bingham advised that she would like Palm Beach County to include fines for littering by the contractor in their contract. Comm Kaleel amended his motion to include this suggestion. Comm McCarty urged the Town to call her if there were problems of this kind with the project, but added that there should not be many problems as most of the work will be done out in the water. Comm Kaleel advised that the Inlet Meetings would be held at the Ocean Ridge Town Hall on the first Thursday of every month. Roll call was taken on Comm Kaleel’s amended motion. Motion carried – yea 4. Town Manager Dunham stated that he would like to hear comments from the Commissioners regarding their field trip to Munyon Island. Mayor Aaskov stated that she was very impressed with the County park and Comm Bingham commented that she felt it was a beautiful preserve. Mr. Berry advised that he had a plan of the site to share with the Town. He explained that the property owners to the South of the project are interested in mitigation and are joining with the County on the project. County Comm Newell stated that the plan is similar to the one used for Munyon Island. He explained that the plan would allow for a natural setting (after the removal of the exotics) which will include mangrove and tidal pond areas. He advised that the park would be closed at night. Comm Berry explained that some areas will be revegetated, the Australian Pines will be removed and some mangroves replanted. He added that the bird population would also increase as a result of the park. Comm Kaleel questioned if the east side of the park near the boardwalk will be cleaned up to which Comm Newell advised that the exotics would be removed. Comm Kaleel advised the public that there would be no parking added for this park which gives area residents a unique advantage. Comm Kaleel advised that the Environmental Resources Advisory Board had requested that a bird watching tower be installed in the park to which Comm Newell stated that the County would be happy to add this to their plan as they want the park to be educational as well as restorative. Comm Bingham questioned who would control the park to which Comm Newell advised that the park would be designed in conjunction with the desires of the Town, maintained by the County, but the Town would still own its portion. Town Manager Dunham questioned where the County was in the process for the park and what they needed from the Town at this point. Comm Newell stated that they were looking for a verbal approval from the Town and they would bring the Interlocal Agreement back to the Town at a future meeting. He stated that he would try and include a maintenance schedule in the Interlocal Agreement. Mr. Berry advised that the County would then make more detailed drawings and then proceed with the permitting process. Comm Kaleel moved that the Town Commission give their approval to the County to proceed with this project, seconded by Comm Bridges. Comm Kaleel commented that he would like the mitigated property to the south to look as nice as the northern property to which Mr. Berry promised that it would. Roll call was taken on Comm Kaleel’s motion. Motion carried – Yea 4. Resolutions None First Reading of Ordinances None Second Reading of Ordinances None Town Commission Comments Comm Bridges stated that there is an excellent swale in front of Ocean Harbour Estates which he is afraid will get filled in by DOT. He requested that the Town Manager harass DOT to ensure that they will maintain the swale. Comm Kaleel agreed adding that he would like an additional guarantee from Ocean Harbour Estates that the swale will be maintained. Comm Bridges stated that he felt the Town Manager should check into other area swales on SR A1A. Don and Jerry MaGruder, 9 Ridge Blvd., complained regarding the flooding in their area and stated that they believed it to be a direct result from Ocean Harbour Estates. Town Manager Dunham stated that the Town would need to find what areas of the development would be common area and will be given over to the Homeowner’s Association. Comm Kaleel stated that if the drainage is not working the way it was represented by the developer, the matter should be turned over to Atty Spillias for review. Comm Bridges stated that he felt they should place a grate in front of the development that would drain onto their own property. Comm Kaleel suggested that Atty Spillias look into this matter to ensure its enforcement. Town Manager Dunham requested that Shalloway, Foy, Rayman & Newell look into the engineering of the swale from budgeted funds at their hourly rate. Comm Kaleel moved to have Shalloway, Foy, Rayman & Newell review the drainage for Ocean Harbour Estates to be paid at their hourly rate out of budgeted funds, seconded by Comm Bridges. Motion carried – yea 4. Comm Bridges stated that the Ocean Ridge fire rating is a 2 and that the interlocal agreement with South Palm Beach and Manalapan is working well. He stated that the fire rating would never be a 1 adding that the Town does not require a department with a 1 rating. He commented that the residents have nothing to worry about regarding level of fire service for Ocean Ridge.
Mayor Aaskov called for the meeting to be adjourned when a few residents advised that they had come to the meeting after the time for public comment and still wished to speak. Letitia Kehrig, 98 Island Drive S, advised that she would like to complain about the number of building permits which are issued in the Town and specifically on her street. She stated that there are too many trucks on her street which show no respect to the residents. Mayor Aaskov stated that it would not be possible to tell one resident that they could not have a building permit because their neighbor has one. Comm Kaleel stated that the Department of Public Safety could stop trucks from blocking other resident’s driveways. Town Manager Dunham stated that he would like to start treating the construction site violations in a manner similar to the lot mowing violations so that fines could be automatic for repeat violators. Town Clerk Hancsak advised that currently the sites can be shut down and the violator brought before the Special Master if not brought into compliance in the time specified. Greta Siebert, 107 Bonito Drive, stated that there is a vacant house next door to her that has no garage door which she is tired of looking at. She added that she believes the property is giving off an airborne fungus which is affecting her lawn. She was informed that the garage door does not violate any Town codes, however, staff would review any possible code violation. Justus Brown, 39 Coconut Lane, advised that people are cutting the coconuts off the trees on his street and killing the trees. He suggested that the Town hire a company to take care of the trees on his street. Town Clerk Hancsak reminded the Town Commission that the trees that he is referring to were purchased through a grant program. The residents requesting trees had to sign an agreement to maintain them. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 PM. |
