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HomeMy Public PortalAbout04 14 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 ON MONDAY, APRIL 14, 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 4:06 P.M. II. Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Morgan. III. Roll all: Present and Scott W. Morgan Mayor Participating Robert W. Ganger Vice -Mayor Joan K. Orthwein Commissioner Thomas M. Stanley Commissioner Donna S. White Commissioner William H. Thrasher Town Manager Also Present and Rita L. Taylor Town Clerk Participating John C. Randolph Town Counsel Town Counsel Randolph stated that at the last Commission Meeting he indicated that Town Hall was receiving complaints relating to parking in Town Hall parking lot. He stated that he would prepare an Ordinance for consideration as to prohibiting overnight parking and regulating parking. He stated that he has drafted Ordinance No. 14/1. Town Counsel Randolph reported that he has created a new Chapter 31 and continued that there is a Chapter 30 relating to vehicles and traffic which has a list of parking offences and this new one would have its own offences listed.. Town Counsel Randolph described Sec. 31-1 by stating it has a provision which prohibits parking between 7:00 P.M. and 7:00 A.M. of any day in the Town Hall parking lot, as well as, the Police Department parking lot, with the exception for employees and anyone conducting business within the Town during those times. Town Counsel Randolph continued to explain Sec. 31-2, regulating parking between 7:00 A.M. until 7 P.M., that the spaces in front of the building would only be used by employees or persons conducting business in Town Hall, with other persons to park in the rear of the building. He discussed Sec. 31-3 which is a prohibition of placement of objects on Town properties. Town Counsel Randolph continued that other than the parking of vehicles, it would be unlawful and a violation of this Code, for any person to leave or place unattended any object on the exterior grounds of the Town Hall property, or at the Town's Police Department. He also etplained that Sec. 31-4 provides for towing or removal of objects that are placed or parked on Town Hall property that are not authorized by this Ordinance. Town Counsel Randolph advised that any person in violation of this Ordinance shall be subject to the general penalty section of this code, or alternatively, shall be subject to jurisdiction of the Town's code enforcement process. He continued that he was in the process of amending the Town's Code Enforcement Ordinance so as to have fines imposed for violation of certain Ordinances. Town Counsel Randolph referred to the present $25.00 fine that is in Chapter 30, and stated that would not apply, as he is drafting a new higher fine schedule. He also discussed the addition of new signs being put up at Town Hall's entrance to advise persons that it is for Town Hall parking only, and unauthorized vehicles will be towed away. Special Tleeting April 14, 2014 Town Counsel Randolph explained that the appropriate way to adopt this Ordinance would be for Town Clerk Taylor to read the Ordinance on first reading, and if all Commissioners are in agreement, the Commission would approve it on first reading. He continued that then there would be a second reading of the Ordinance, which would have to be advertised 10 days prior to the second Public Hearing. Mayor Morgan inquired regarding the wording of the front parking lot sign. Town Counsel Randolph responded that it would have to indicate the words "Tow Away Zone" in not less than 4" high letters, not less than 3' and not more than 6' above ground level, and it must provide the name and the current telephone number of the person or firm towing or removing the vehicle. He continued that it must be prominently placed at each driveway access or curb cut. Town Counsel Randolph stated that he would work with both the Police Department and Town Hall for the proper signage to be placed. Commissioner Orthwein inquired if the signage would match the other Town signs. Town Counsel Randolph stated that these signs being discussed were very specific. Town Clerk Taylor responded that possibly the posts can match the existing ones, and she repeated how specific the signs had to be, as she has previously worked with that issue. She stated that the towing companies have the signs, and you purchase the signs from them with the exact measurements and sizes. Town Counsel Randolph also commented that there could be special parking signs put in front of Town Hall for employees and persons conducting business in Town Hall. Commissioner Stanley inquired regarding the auxiliary lot. Town Counsel Randolph stated that lot was not addressed in the above-mentioned Ordinance. Town Clerk Taylor stated that when the contracting work became so voluminous, contractors were allowed to park there, rather than on the streets. She continued that nothing in that area can be seen, other than contractor's equipment, and therefore, nothing would be displayed. Town Counsel Randolph suggested that the Commission pass this Ordinance initially, as he was not aware of the auxiliary lot. He stated that could be argued as to if that was a Town Hall parking lot. Vice -Mayor Ganger stated it would be, if there was an overflow of cars. He also addressed the possibility of holding Town Hall Meetings in the evening and inquired if that would be an issue. Town Counsel Randolph referred to the original statement of Town employees conducting business in Town Hall between the hours of 7:00 P.M. and 7:00 A.M., and also stated this does not prohibit anyone using the beach during those times and parking at Town Hall. sp,ai,] M"Ung Apnl 14,'--1114 Vice -Mayor Ganger inquired regarding any provisions available for temporary use of the parking lot. Town Counsel Randolph stated that then should seek other arrangements when this Ordinance is in effect. Commissioner White inquired regarding the penalty phase stating if it would be $100 per day or per occurrence. Town Counsel Randolph stated that issue was part of the above-named Ordinance and therefore it could have to be dealt with separately, and he suggested for occurrence. He continued that he did not want anyone to think that the Town Hall parking lot is cheap enough to use as a parking lot. Commissioner Orthwein inquired regarding various towing companies. Vice -Mayor Ganger stated that they go up for bid. He stated that some Towns obtain six (G) or eight (8) bids. Police Chief Ward stated that the Town has used Becks Towing Service in Boynton Beach and has always had excellent service. Mayor Morgan stated that he would suggest referring this process to the Police Chief for his judgment, as he has stated he has had good experience with a towing company. in the past. Town Clerk Taylor read Ordinance No. 14/1 by tide on 1" reading. IV. 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 3 Special Aleeting April 14, 2014 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 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 CODIFICATION; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Passed on 151 reading on April 14, 2014. Town Counsel Randolph requested changing the word property- on the ninth (9") line from the bottom of Ordinance No. 14/1 to the word object. Vice -Mayor Ganger moved and Commissioner Stanley seconded the approval of the amended First Reading of Ordinance 14/1. All voted AYE. Town Clerk Taylor suggested the Second Reading of Ordinance 14/1 be held on Tuesday, April 29, 2014, at 4:00 P.M. All agreed. VL ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Morgan adjourned the meeting at 4:28 P.M. Sandra Fein Recording Secretary 4