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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, November 14th, 2005 at 6:00PM in the Town Hall Meeting Chambers
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kaleel and roll call was answered by the following:
Commissioner Allison Commissioner Hogan Commissioner Bingham Commissioner Pugh Mayor Kaleel
Pledge of Allegiance
Additions, Deletions, Modifications and Approval of Agenda
Comm Pugh requested to pull original item #4 as item #15A.
Manager Mathis requested to make Resolution 2005-22 as the new #4 on consent agenda regarding disaster relief funding.
Comm Bingham requested to discuss the letter she sent to the Commission as #15B. She also requested to add a comment at the end of the meeting.
Mayor Kaleel requested to add Home Rules & Rescue Service as #15C.
Comm Hogan requested to comment at the end of the meeting regarding the Economic Council, also the Institute Training, the beaches, and the upcoming ADT Golf Tournament.
CONSENT AGENDA 1. Minutes of Workshop Town Commission Meeting of Sept. 26, 2005. 2. Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Oct. 3, 2005. 3. Confirmation of Hiring of New Police Officer, Hal Hutchings, to Replace Joe Gomez. 4. Ocean Ridge Resolution No. 2005-22; Authorizing the Mayor to Execute a Disaster Relief Funding Agreement for Hurricane Wilma Between the Town of Ocean Ridge and the State of Florida Department of Community Affairs; Providing for Conflicts, Severability, and Effective Date. 5. Approve January 9th, 2006 as the January Regular Meeting Date Since the Office is Closed on January 2nd, 2006. 6. Ocean Ridge Resolution No. 2005-21; Authorizing the Execution of an Amendment to the Interlocal Agreement Between the Town of Ocean Ridge and Palm Beach County for the Enhancement and Maintenance of the Emergency 911 Telephone System.
Comm Pugh moved to accept the consent agenda as amended, seconded by Comm Bingham.
Motion Carried - yea 5.
ANNNOUCEMENTS AND PROCLAMATIONS 7. The administrative offices will be closed for the official holidays, on Thursday, Nov.24th, and Friday, Nov. 25th. 8. Light the Lights and Town BBQ for Ocean Ridge Residents will be held on Friday, Dec. 2, 2005 from 5:30 PM TO 8:30 PM.
Mayor Kaleel made the above announcements.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Kaleel thanked Chief Hillery, Clerk Hancsak, Police Department and staff for the long hours put in and dedication shown during Hurricane Wilma. He also thanked the community of Ocean Ridge and team work shown, addit that it gave us an opportunity to meet new neighbors and have a warmth of community feeling.
Debbie Brookes, 15 Ocean Avenue and Cindy Martel, 46 S. Hudson Avenue, representing The Garden Club, asked if the time could be changed to 6PM and if there could be supervision for the snow this year. They also requested if an additional large Christmas Tree could be displayed outside. The Garden Club thought they could get one donated to the Town. Mayor Kaleel said that if they could arrange for one to be donated, he had no problem with it, however with the strong winds, it may be a problem to keep the tree standing up and the decorations may not stay in tact. It was also discussed that the Town had budgeted additional money that could be used to help upgrade the toys for the children this year.
Clerk Hancsak requested that the January Regular Meeting Date be scheduled for Jan 9th, as Jan 2nd is the official holiday that administrative offices would be closed. Comm Allison requested if it could be scheduled for Tuesday, Jan 3rd instead as she would be out of town. Mayor Kaleel stated that he would not be available for Jan 3rd. A consensus was made to have the January Regular Town Meeting on January 9th, 2006.
9. Town Manager
Manager Mathis gave a report on an Amendment to the 911 Interlocal Agreement with Palm Beach County or Resolution NO. 2005-21.
10. Town Attorney
Atty Spillias had nothing to report at this time.
11. Police Chief
Chief Hillery had nothing to report at this time.
12. Town Engineer.
Engineer Tropepe stated that the opening/closing of A1A was done in exactly 5 days, and the project was going very well. They had given notice of the closing using the Reverse 911 and also the Website. A letter from Chaz Equipment Co., Inc. had been received requesting a Time Extension to the South Phase Drainage Improvements. It gave 3 reasons for the time extension: 1) Ixora pole removal was delayed by Southern Bell. 2) DOT delayed because of generator. They had been notified to stop work. 3) Hurricane Wilma
The time extension of 133 days would mean the job would be complete by May 3rd, 2006. By the end of this year, A1A would be complete. The coming year would focus on Tropical Drive and Woolbright Rd, which included wet well, pumps, road rebuild, and a new drinking water line. This extension is for time only, no additional funds are requested. She stated a letter had been sent to BellSouth requesting a refund of the extra costs that occurred from the Ixora Pole delay. Mayor Kaleel stated that he had met with Jim Wolfe with FDOT and a compromise had for been reached in assisting with funding, approximately $200,000 for the generator. The existing Joint Participating Agreement would be amended to include this increase of funds.
Comm Bingham moved to approve the time extension of 133 days at no additional cost to the Town of Ocean Ridge, seconded by Comm Allison.
Motion Carried - yea 5.
Engineer Tropepe gave an update for Coconut. First Step: the Roadway – had met with homeowners and got a consensus for the following three items. 1). Clear out curb/gutters from A1A to the cul-de-sac. 2) Remove crest and relay the curb/gutter. They had received commitments from those homeowners to remove fill and allow the water to flow down to the cul-de-sac. Second Step: Follow-through with homeowners that the work had been done. Third Step: Get a quote to replace the curb/gutters at the crest, and monitor the improvements made to the water flow. A formal request had been sent to FDOT for funding, but no response had been received. A formal request had also been sent to the Dept of Environmental Protection in Tallahassee requesting state grants.
Comm Bingham asked if there was a physical drain in the ground at the end of the cul-de-sac. Engineer Tropepe stated that they had probed and found the drain, however it is filled up with dirt and needs to be opened up.
George Breyer, 4 Coconut Lane stated he had met with Engineer Tropepe, Terry Cudmore and his own engineer, and that the first phase seemed reasonable, it would greatly improve the drainage. There would still be a problem with the tide though. He was concerned that not all homeowners would comply with the improvements needed. He wanted the Town more involved with the cleaning of the gutters so that it would not be piece-mealed. He also stated that the alleyways and the swales were two separate problems. Mayor Kaleel agreed in part, stating that the improvements do need to be done properly, and a time frame needs to be established so that it is done in a timely manner. Manager Mathis stated that it was always the Town’s intention that it be done properly.
13. Appointment of an Alternate Member to the Board of Adjustment.
Comm Bingham moved to appoint Bernd Schulte as the Alternate Member to the Board of Adjustment, seconded by Comm Pugh.
Motion Carried - yea 5.
14. Town Manager Vehicle Allowance/Purchase.
Manager Mathis stated that he was willing to continue the $600 monthly allowance and then at the end of the year, sell the vehicle to offset the costs.
Comm Hogan motioned to continue the payment of the $600 vehicle allowance to Manager Mathis, seconded by Comm Pugh.
Motion Carried - yea 5.
15. Hurricane Bonus or Compensation
Manager Mathis stated that during Hurricane Wilma, 21 employees had worked the day before, the day of, and the day after. Three additional employees worked the day after the Hurricane. He requested that $100/day bonus be paid in gratitude for the employees for going above and beyond the call of duty for a total of $6600.00. The funds were to be paid out of the Hurricane account. The officers stayed/slept rather than being with their own families during the hurricane.
Comm Hogan motioned that the Town pay a bonus to 21 employees for $300 and $100 for 3 employees to be paid out of the Hurricane Account for a total of $6600, seconded by Comm Pugh.
Motion Carried - yea 5.
15A. Authorize Clarke Mosquito Control to Spray for No Seeums for Month of November at a Cost of $6840 to be Funded from the Contingency Account.
Comm Pugh requested that the time be extended. Hurricane Wilma stirred up the noseeums and started a new cycle. He also requested to obtain quotes for continuing the truck spraying throughout the winter months. Comm Hogan asked if next year the test area could be extended to include Ixora Way and Woolbright Rd. Manager Mathis said he would get two quotes from them, for spraying during the winter months, and also extending the area.
15B. Discuss letter from Boynton Beach, By: Comm Bingham.
Comm Bingham was very concerned that Boynton Beach had set it upon themselves to choose who should be part of the Committee, and also that this study was a very important project that has a high impact on the Town. Mayor Kaleel stated that Boynton Beach had sought for funding ($160,000) for the Study on the Boynton Beach Inlet. Boynton Beach wants the bridge to be widened, removed or made into a draw bridge to allow larger vessels into their intracoastal. A consensus was made that a letter be sent to the City of Boynton Beach requesting that the process of appointing a Town representative be done by the Commissioners of Ocean Ridge themselves.
15C. Home Rule & Rescue Service
Mayor Kaleel was concerned with Palm Beach County trying to force a Countywide Fire Dispatch System, thereby forcing the Town to participate and possibly lose its own dispatch. The towns of Boca Raton and Delray Beach have filed suit. He requested that 1) Ocean Ridge make a motion to intervene. 2) Approval of a local bill to protect our interest and forcing them to have dispatch. 3) Support a General Bill to help prevent it from happening again. Mayor Kaleel stated that if the Town does not fight back, we would lose our Town Rights and become a metro, where Palm Beach would slowly take over all municipalities.
Comm Bingham moved to join Boca Raton and Delray Beach as interveners to protect our interest in Case 50-2005, seconded by Comm Pugh.
Motion Carried - yea 5
Comm Bingham moved that a Local Bill, to be named at a later time, be approved to support and protect Home Rule power for municipalities, seconded by Comm Pugh.
Motion Carried - yea 5
Comm Bingham moved to support a General Bill to provide for accountability for municipalities and amend Chapter 163-08 so as not to allow forced mandate, seconded by Comm Pugh
Motion Carried - yea 5
FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES 16. Ordinance No. 561; Adopting an Amendment to the Code of Ordinances Chapter 70 (SIGNS), Article I, Section 70-4 (PERMITTED SIGNS), to Revise Regulations for Permitted Signs of a Stationary Nature and Allow Certain Security Signs.
Attorney Spillias stated that currently Security Signs are not permitted signs, and that the size of the sign is not restricted to the same size as the permitted signs. He added that the ordinance provides that the sign by 10ft from the building. The purpose of security signs is to deter crime, and they need to be visible from the road.
Comm Pugh motioned that Ordinance No 561 be approved, seconded by Comm Allison.
Motion Carried - yea 5
SECOND READING, PUBLIC HEARING AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCES 17. Ordinance No. 560; Amending the Code of Ordinances, Chapter 1, Section 1-3, Amending the Definition of Residential Area and Adding the Definitions of Transient Housing Unit and Vacation Rental or Unit; Amending Chapter 64, Article I, Sections 64-1, 64-2, and 64-4, and Amending Chapter 64, Article II, Section 64-22, Providing for Prohibited Uses in Residential Zoning Districts.
This ordinance was deferred to the Regular Town Meeting of Dec 2005 due to the advertising restraints.
18. Natural Gas for Ocean Ridge
Comm Pugh requested research and pricing to have Natural Gas put into Town of Ocean Ridge. Mayor Kaleel suggested that it could possibly be privatized and then it would be at no cost to the Town. There was a consensus for staff to research the options.
Comm Bingham commented that the commercial trucks were getting bigger and bigger, causing damage to properties. She asked if restrictions could be made by Planning & Zoning. Comm Pugh stated that it would be hard to enforce, especially with all the heavy construction currently being done in the Town. There was no consensus.
Comm Hogan brought in information from the John Scott Dale Florida Institute Gov. Conference that she attended over the week-end. She had also attended the Economic Summit for the County and found it very informative. She had brochures for the ADT Golf Tournament that was coming up. She also commented that the Town’s beaches were still very dirty, and asked about an update regarding the garbage cans. Manager Mathis stated that they had now acquired all the materials for the tip cans on the beach. Within the next 10 days they should be installed.
Christine Schulte, 5 Osprey Court, stated that the boardwalk on Beachway was very dirty, and requested that the Town start a monthly program to clean up the beaches on a regular basis.
Debbie Brookes, 15 Ocean Avenue stated that our beaches should be our primary point of interest for tourists. The Town could work with private property owners as a joint venture to keep the beaches clean. Staff was directed to obtain some estimate cost and research the possibilities.
Adjournment.
Meeting adjourned at 7:55 PM ________________________ Mayor Kaleel ________________________ Commissioner Allison Attest By: ________________________ ________________________ Commissioner Bingham Town Clerk ________________________ Commissioner Hogan ________________________ Commissioner Pugh |
