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Home My Public Portal About04 29 14 Special MeetingMINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING HELD BY THE TOWN COMMISSION OF THE TOWN OF GULF STREAM, AT THE UNANIMOUS CALL OF THE COMMISSION TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2014 AT 4:00 P.M., IN THE COMMISSION CHAMBERS OF THE TOWN HALL, 100 SEA ROAD, GULF STREAM, FLORIDA. I. Call to Order. Mayor Morgan called the meeting to order at 4:01 P.M. II. Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Morgan. III. Roll Call: Present and Scott W. Morgan Mayor Participating Robert W. Ganger Vice -Mayor Joan K. Orthwein Commissioner Thomas M. Stanley Commissioner Donna S. White Commissioner Absent w/notice William H. Thrasher Town Manager Also Present and Rita L. Taylor Town Clerk Participating John C. Randolph Town Counsel Martin O'Boyle Town Resident Christopher O'Hare Town Resident IV. Town Clerk Taylor read Ordinance No.14/1. ORDINANCE NO. 14/1: AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN COMMISSION OF THE TOWN OF GULF STREAM, PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE TOWN CODE OF ORDINANCES BY CREATING A NEW CHAPTER 31 TITLED "PARKING AND OFFENSES ON TOWN HALL AND POLICE DEPARTMENT PROPERTY"; PROHIBITING THE PARKING, STANDING OR STOPPING OF ANY VEHICLE IN THE TOWN HALL PARKING LOT LOCATED AT 100 SEA ROAD, GULF STREAM, FLORIDA, OR IN THE PARKING LOT OF THE TOWN'S POLICE DEPARTMENT LOCATED AT 246 SEA ROAD, GULF STREAM, FLORIDA, BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 7:00 P.M. AND 7:00 A.M. OF ANY DAY; PROVIDING AN EXCEPTION FOR TOWN EMPLOYEES OR INVITED GUESTS CONDUCTING OFFICIAL BUSINESS WITHIN TOWN HALL OR THE TOWN POLICE DEPARTMENT DURING SAID HOURS; PROVIDING FOR REGULATIONS ON PARKING WITHIN THE TOWN HALL PARKING LOT BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 7:00 A.M. AND 7:00 P.M. PROVIDING THAT NO VEHICLES OF ANY KIND SHALL BE PARKED OR LEFT UNATTENDED IN THE PARKING AREA OR DRIVEWAY TO THE SOUTH OF TOWN HALL EXCEPT VEHICLES OF TOWN EMPLOYEES OR THOSE CONDUCTING BUSINESS WITHIN TOWN HALL DURING THE TIME SAID VEHICLE IS PARKED; PROHIBITING THE PLACEMENT AND/OR LEAVING UNATTENDED ANY OBJECT ON THE EXTERIOR GROUNDS OF THE TOWN HALL PROPERTY OR THE PROPERTY OF THE TOWN'S POLICE DEPARTMENT UNLESS SAID OBJECT IS OWNED, POSSESSED OR ERECTED BY THE TOWN; PROVIDING A PENALTY FOR VIOLATION, PROVIDING FOR THE TOWING OF ANY VEHICLE Special Meeting April 29, 2014 PARKED IN VIOLATION OF THIS CODE OR THE REMOVAL OF OBJECTS PLACED OR WHICH ARE UNATTENDED IN VIOLATION OF THIS CODE; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR CONDIFICATION, PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. SECOND READING & ADOPTION THIS DAY APRIL 29, 2014, PASSING FIRST READING ON THE 14TH DAY OF APRIL, 2014. Mayor Morgan asked for any comments. There were none. Vice -Mayor Ganger moved and Commissioner Orthwein seconded the adoption of Ordinance 14/1. All voted AYE. V. TOWN CLERK TAYLOR read Resolution No. 014-04 Resolution No. 014-04; A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COMMISSION OF THE TOWN OF GULF STREAM, PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA, NAMING AUTHORIZED SIGNATORIES FOR THE TOWN OF GULF STREAM BANK ACCOUNTS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Vice -Mayor Ganger moved and Commissioner Stanley seconded the adoption of Resolution No. 014-04. All voted AYE. VI. Consideration of Establishment of a Financial Ad Hoc Committee Mayor Morgan proposed to have residents in the Town of Gulf Stream to form a Committee who would bring special expertise in financial matters and who would assist the Town in handling these matters especially the diminishing reserves which are continuing to fall due to legal fees and the undergrounding project commitments. He continued there will also be significant increased costs with EMS and Fire Department if Delray Beach should decide to go with Palm Beach County. Mayor Morgan explained that the Committee would not solve all the problems but would possibly assist in guidance and alternative options. Vice -Mayor Ganger stated he agreed with utilizing the Town's talented people. He continued that there should be some sort of goal setting from the dais prior to selecting candidates for the Committee. Vice - Mayor Ganger also stated that the goals should be set prior to Town Manager Thrasher's budget which begins in April/May. He addressed how Commissioners in other areas independently identified their priorities to create a dialogue. Mayor Morgan reported that some of the talented residents will be leaving Town for the summer. He continued that his main focus is strengthening and conserving the reserves. Mayor Morgan recommended using this meeting for the approval of a Financial Ad Hoc Committee and then defer until the May 9`s Commission Regular Meeting when Town Manager Thrasher could submit points for the Committee to address with regard to the budget items. He commended Vice -Mayor Ganger for his suggestions. Special Meeting April 29, ?-01•1 Commissioner Stanley suggested a Budget Workshop possibly prior to the Financial Ad Hoc Meeting, and before Town Manager Thrasher starts with his numbers. Commissioner Orthwein agreed with a financial plan for the nest ten (10) years. She continued that there will be more dollars received from the taxpayers for the fund balance account, in the near future. Commissioner Orthwein stated also that there is long-term infrastructure that should be addressed. Mayor Morgan addressed Commissioner Stanley's suggestion of a Budget Workshop to determine to help identify the direction of the Committee. He inquired regarding a time frame to get started. Vice -Mayor Ganger responded the sooner the better. He continued that the Town has encountered huge unexpected expenses recently and that the Town is in a financial poor situation. Vice -Mayor Ganger discussed a possible major hurricane and the catastrophic damage costs to the Town. He inquired if there were any candidates decided upon for the Committee. Mayor Morgan suggested William Boardman with his experience and some of the financial services residents. He requested the Commissioners make their recommendations. Vice -Mayor Ganger stated that there could be some risk, as there are heavy hitters in the financial services industry in other municipalities, and they sometimes overwhelm their Commission and public to achieve their objectives. He continued that Town of Gulf Stream should be eery practical, and not get into a tricky financial mode. Vice -Mayor Ganger also stated that the residents should know that the Committee will continue to focus on the safety and beauty of the Town. Mayor Morgan reported that the emergency issues and the litigation costs are his main concerns. He inquired regarding a Workshop date and time. Vice -Mayor Ganger stated that it should not take too long if the Commission was prepared with the figures from Town Manager Thrasher. Town Clerk Taylor that there has to be notification for the Workshop as with any meeting, and since there is no Committee formed as yet, there will be no action or motion taken, as it is a Workshop. Town Counsel Randolph stated that residents can be incited to the Workshop. Vice -Mayor Ganger stated that there should be adequate participation. Town Clerk Taylor stated that there is a Regular Commission Meeting on Friday, May 9s'. Town Counsel Randolph reported that a motion was not required, and just a consensus was needed. All agreed to hold the Budget Workshop following the Commission Meeting on Friday, May 9'' EQ Special Meeting Ap,il 29, 2014 Mayor Morgan stated that the Commissioners should talk to some of the residents to obtain their interests. Commissioner Stanley inquired regarding any qualifications for members of the Committee, at this time. Mayor Morgan stated that will be discussed at the Workshop. He also asked for any public comments on the Agenda items. I`Ir. O'Hare read the Comprehensive Plan registered with the State of Florida with regard to recreation use and parking for that use. He stated that the new Ordinance effectively eliminated 20% of that parking area and 50% of that use. Mr. O'Hare continued that vioLated a State Statute, and was amended without protocol. He also referred to how the Town's legal monies were not being used properly. Mayor Morgan stated he appreciated Dir. O'Hare's comments. Dlr. O'Boyle stated that Mr. O'Hare was correct in his comments. He continued that he was struggling with the Ordinance passed this day, as it was unconstitutional. Dir. O'Boyle stated that it hampers political discourse and speech. He stated that if anyone touches his truck parked in the parking lot, there will be litigation again. Dlr. O'Boyle reported that the Town is 90 years old, and there were no problems until the chilling of speech by the Commission. He asked for a reconsideration of the Ordinance, and not enforce the Ordinance, and to do so on the basis of political discourse being good, and not a bad thing. Mayor Morgan thanked Mr. O'Boyle for his comments. VII. ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Morgan adjourned the meeting at 4:30 P.D1. Sandra Fein Recording Secretary rd