HomeMy Public PortalAboutPRR 16-2240From: Chris O'Hare [mailto:chrisoharegulfstream@gmail.com]
Sent: Friday, June 17, 2016 8:23 AM
To: Bill Thrasher <bthrasher@gulf-stream.org>; Rita Taylor <RTaylor@gulf-stream.org>
Subject: Request to Inspect Public Records - PAS inquiries
Dear Custodian of Records,
I request to inspect certain public records for the purpose of informing myself of the historic and current
workings of the Town of Gulf Stream and its associated entities, vendors, consultants, advisers, contractors
and agents. The records I wish to inspect may be material to current, anticipated or presently unforeseen legal
action. In addition, inspection of these records is essential to my ability to make informed comments in an
upcoming public hearing. The production of any and all responsive records is therefore urgent and must be
acted upon in compliance with Florida Statutes and established case law as soon as possible.
Before making this public record request, I first searched online and in the public records portion of your
agency's website hoping I could locate the public records I seek without having to write you directly.
Unfortunately I cannot find the records I request to inspect. Therefore I am writing you now and requesting you
make every effort as required by law to produce these public records without delay.
I make this request pursuant to Article 1, Section 24 of the Florida Constitution and Chapter 119 of the Florida
Statutes. I hereby reserve all rights granted to me under the Florida Constitution and Florida Statutes.
I ask that you take the following action:
• Read this entire request carefully and respond accordingly.
• If you are not the custodian of the public records described herein please determine who that person is
and notify me immediately in order that I may make this request to the appropriate person without
delay.
• Reference Florida Statutes and appropriate case law when responding to this record request.
• Do NOT produce any records other than records responsive to this request.
• Identify by name the person or persons responding to this request.
• Respond to this public record request In a singular manner and do not combine this request with any
other public record requests when responding to this request.
• Once you have determined that you do or don't have any records In your custody responsive to this
request, immediately act to obtain any responsive records that may be in the custody of
your contractor(s).
• Provide only those records for inspection that do not require extensive use of Information technologies
or extensive staff time or both in excess of 15 minutes.
As background to this request I call your attention to the letter dated June 14, 20016 and signed by
Scott W. Morgan which was recently sent to Town residents regarding the Undergrounding Utility
Project. For your convenience I have underlined certain passages that are relevant to this record
request. That letter reads as follows:
Dear Gulf Stream Residents,
Since my last update on the Phase 2 undergrounding project, the Town has received a
number of inquiries from Place an Soleil residents questioning why the Commission voted to
pay for the $571,000 overage out of general funds instead of terminating Phase 2 altogether or
proceeding with Phase 2 but re -assessing the Phase 2 residents alone for the extra cost
I cannot stress enough that the decision to proceed with the Phase 2 undergrounding
was made thoughtfully and with due consideration to the costs involved, especially the cost of
not proceeding. First, the Commission held three meetings where the undergrounding issues
were discussed - March 22, April 13 and May 13. All Gulf Stream residents are invited to
attend these meetings, and those that do are given an opportunity to comment generally about
public matters and also to speak on agenda items being considered by the Commission. The
Phase 2 undergrounding was the most important issue at both of these meetings, and
continents were made by residents, by Commissioners and by staff. Specifically, the
Commission considered its options of I) terminating the Phase 2 project; 2) deferring the
Phase 2 project, or 3) proceeding with the Phase 2 project
For those of you who did not attend the meetings, the Commission found that
terminating the project was not a viable option. To terminate Phase 2 would require a refund
of the impacted residents' deposits ($549,372.00) and a reimbursement to FPL of their
underground electricity design and installation credit ($410,482.00), as well as losing the
previously paid Ph. 2 engineering costs, which on a conservative estimate exceed $100,000.00.
The second option of deferring the project did not make sense either since there is no
benefit to the Town in postponing it Costs will only increase with time, plus FPL will not
remove the wires and poles from the Phase I portion of the project until the entire project's
utility wires (both Ph. I & 2) are pulled underground.
In the Commission's opinion, the best option is to finish the entire project It is less
expensive, it helps beautify the Town; it will help prevent prolonged power loss in the event of
a hurricane, it increases property values, and it is therefore in the best interests of all
residents.
As I have said before, there will not be a tax increase or another special assessment to finish
the project
Some people have suggested that the Town should re -assess the residents residing in the
Phase 2 area for this additional amount of money. That would not be fair, nor wise, nor
appropriate. It is not fair to the Phase 2 residents since they did not choose to be the second
phase -it just happens to be where they live. They did not cause FPL Is delay in engineering the
Phase 2 work- that was a situation outside of Gulf Stream's control, necessitating a complaint
to the utility commission to remedy it And, they did not cause the changed economic climate
that led to considerably higher electric labor costs- rather, that was a textbook example of
Supply & Demand, involving the electrical labor demands of All Aboard Florida, as well as a
number of other large municipal projects.
Re -assessment is not wise because legally, a new assessment requires another vote by the
Phase 2 residents, who would be unlikely to support increasing their own contribution to the
project There is also the need for court approval of any re -assessment process with no
guarantee of approval All of this, of course, will cost the Town more time and money.
Perhaps most importantly, it is appropriate that the Town finish the undergrounding
project and pay the extra amount because undergrounding of electrical, cable and telephone
wires benefits the Town as a whole.
It will lead to a safer and more attractive method of supplying utility services, which in tuns
augments property values and tar revenues. A Gulf Stream address benefits all residents
regardless of whether they reside in Place all Soleil, the various condominiunn complexes, or
the toren core. Safety, delivery of service, and property valuation are vital Town interests, and
the Commission has a duty to advance and protect those interests.
Please be assured that our Commissioners are thoughtftd, concerned individuals, who
give their time and effort to the Town out of nothing more than a sincere affection fur Gulf
Stream and a desire to see it remain as a truly unique and wonderful town. We do not favor
one group over another, or support one neighborhood over another. We represent all of Gulf
Stream, and we try to do what is best fm• all residents.
Very truly yours,
Scott W. Morgan
I request to inspect the record of each of the inquiries from Place all Soleil residents
as referenced in the above letter.
I ask you to take note of §119.07(1 Hc) Florida Statues and your affirmative obligation to (1)
promptly acknowledge receipt of this public records request and (2) make a good faith effort which "includes
making reasonable efforts to determine from other officers or employees within the agency whether such a
record exists and, if so, the location at which the record can be accessed." I am, therefore, requesting that you
notify every individual and entity in possession of records that may be responsive to this public records request,
including Individuals and entities under contract with your agency, to preserve and produce all responsive
records on an immediate basis.
If you contend that any of the records I am seeking, or any portion thereof, are exempt from inspection or
disclosure please cite the specific exemption as required by §119.07(1)(e) of the Florida Statutes and state in
writing and with particularity the basis for your conclusions as required by §119.07(1)(f) of the Florida Statutes.
Produce for my inspection all responsive records and ONLY redact that portion of the record that you consider
exempt. To be clear, if you consider an entire record to be exempt, produce that record in its entirety with all
portions redacted that you consider exempt. I specifically ask you to do this in order that I may Inspect fully
redacted records for the purpose of challenging a particular redaction or establishing a reference for a future
request of a record that is only temporarily exempt, as in the case of a public record that was prepared by an
agency attorney exclusively for litigation and is only exempt from disclosure until the conclusion of the litigation.
If the public records being sought are maintained by your agency or contactors for your agency, in an electronic
format please produce the records in the original electronic format in which they were created or
received. See §119.01(2)(f), Florida Statutes.
Again I ask that you provide only those records for inspection that do not require extensive use of information
technologies or extensive staff time or both in excess of 15 minutes. Take note of §119.07(4xa)3.(d) Florida
Statues and if you anticipate that any records exist, the production for Inspection of which will require extensive
use of information technologies or extensive staff time or both in excess of 15 minutes, then please provide
those records that can be produced within the first 15 minutes and advise me of the cost you anticipate to be
incurred by your agency for the remaining records prior to Incurring this cost. Please do not Incur any costs on
my behalf without first obtaining my written authorization to proceed. If you produce only a portion of all existing
responsive records, please tell me that your response includes only a portion of all existing records responsive
to this request.
If you anticipate the need to incur any costs that I would be statutorily required to pay in order to Inspect these
public records which would exceed $1.00 please notify me in advance of your incurring that cost with a written
estimate of the total cost. Please be sure to Itemize any estimates so as to indicate the total number of pages
and/or records, as well as to distinguish the cost of labor and materials. Again, please do not incur any costs on
my behalf without first obtaining my written authorization to proceed.
The phrase Town of Gulf Stream when used herein refers to the Town in its entirety including all employees,
appointees, officials, assignees, counsel and consultants including Town Manager, Town Clerk, Town Police
Chief, Town Commissioners, Town Mayor, Town Departments, Town Police Officers, Town Employees, Town
Engineer, the law firm (Jones Foster Johnston & Stubbs P.A.) that claims to be the Town Attorney Including all
attorney, partner and employee members of that firm; the Town Counsel of Sweetapple, Broeker &
Varkus including all attorney, partner and employee members of that firm, the Town Counsel
of Richman Greer, P.A. including all attorney, partner and employee members of that firm and any other entity
associated with the Town and subject to public records law.
The term public records, as used herein, has the same meaning and scope as the definition of Public records
adopted by the Florida Legislature as Statutes Chapter 119.
A record that does not exist because of its disposition requires the creation of a disposition record. In all
instances where you determine a record does not exist please determine if the record once existed and in its
replacement provide the disposition record for my inspection.
All responses to this public records request should be made in writing to the following email address:
chrisoharegulfstream@gmaii.com
TOWN OF GULF STREAM
PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA
Delivered via e-mail
June 20, 2016
Chris O'Hare [mail to: chrisohareeulfstream(c,email.coml
Re: GS #2240 (PAS inquiries)
As background to this request I call your attention to the letter dated June 14, 20016 and signed
by Scott W. Morgan which was recently sent to Town residents regarding the Undergrounding
Utility Project. For your convenience I have underlined certain passages that are relevant to this
record request. That letter reads as follows: Dear Gulf Stream Residents, Since my last update
on the Phase 2 undergrounding project, the Town has received a number of inquiries from Place
au Soleil residents questioning why the Commission voted to pay for the $571, 000 overage out of
general funds instead of terminating Phase 2 altogether or proceeding with Phase 2 but re-
assessing the Phase 2 residents alone for the extra cost. I cannot stress enough that the decision
to proceed with the Phase 2 undergrounding was made thoughtfully and with due consideration
to the costs involved, especially the cost of not proceeding. First, the Commission held three
meetings where the undergrounding issues were discussed - March 22, April 13 and May 13. All
Gulf Stream residents are invited to attend these meetings, and those that do are given an
opportunity to comment generally about public matters and also to speak on agenda items being
considered by the Commission. The Phase 2 undergrounding was the most important issue at both
of these meetings, and comments were made by residents, by Commissioners and by staff.
Specifically, the Commission considered its options of 1) terminating the Phase 2 project; 2)
deferring the Phase 2 project; or 3) proceeding with the Phase 2 project. For those of you
who did not attend the meetings, the Commission found that terminating the project was not a
viable option. To terminate Phase 2 would require a refund of the impacted residents' deposits
($549,372.00) and a reimbursement to FPL of their underground electricity design and
installation credit ($410,482.00), as well as losing the previously paid Ph. 2 engineering costs,
which on a conservative estimate exceed $100,000.00. The second option of deferring the
project did not make sense either since there is no benefit to the Town in postponing it. Costs will
only increase with time, plus FPL will not remove the wires and poles from the Phase 1 portion of
the project until the entire project's utility wires (both Ph. I & 2) are pulled underground. In
the Commission's opinion, the best option is to finish the entire project. It is less expensive; it helps
beautify the Town; it will help prevent prolonged power loss in the event of a hurricane; it
increases property values; and it is therefore in the best interests of all residents. As I have said
before, there will not be a tax increase or another special assessment to finish the
project. Some people have suggested that the Town should re -assess the residents residing
in the Phase 2 area for this additional amount of money. That would not be fair, nor wise, nor
appropriate. It is not fair to the Phase 2 residents since they did not choose to be the second phase -
it just happens to be where they live. They did not cause FPL's delay in engineering the Phase 2
work- that was a situation outside of Gulf Stream's control, necessitating a complaint to the utility
commission to remedy it. And, they did not carne the changed economic climate that led to
considerably higher electric labor costs- rather, that was a textbook example of Supply &Demand,
involving the electrical labor demands of All Aboard Florida, as well as a number of other large
municipal projects. Re -assessment is not wise because legally, a new assessment requires
another vote by the Phase 2 residents, who would be unlikely to support increasing their own
contribution to the project. There is also the need for court approval of any re -assessment process
with no guarantee of approval. All of this, of course, will cost the Town more time and
money. Perhaps most importantly, it is appropriate that the Town finish the undergrounding
project and pay the extra amount because undergrounding of electrical, cable and telephone wires
benefits the Town as a whole. It will lead to a safer and more attractive method of supplying utility
services, which in tum augments property values and tax revenues. A Gulf Stream address benefits
all residents regardless of whether they reside in Place au Soleil, the various condominium
complexes, or the town core. Safety, delivery of service, and property valuation are vital Town
interests, and the Commission has a duty to advance and protect those interests. Please be
assured that our Commissioners are thoughtful, concerned individuals, who give their time and
effort to the Town out of nothing more than a sincere affection for Gulf Stream and a desire to see
it remain as a truly unique and wonderful town. We do not favor one group over another, or
support one neighborhood over another. We represent all of Gulf Stream, and we try to do what
is best for all residents. Very truly yours, Scott W. Morgan I request to inspect the record of each
of the inquiries from Place au Soleil residents as referenced in the above letter.
Dear Chris O'Hare [mail to: chrisohareeulfstream(a,eanail.coml
The Town of Gulf Stream has received your public records requests dated June 17, 2016. The
original public record request can be found at the following links htto://www2.gulf-
stream.ora/webli nk/0/doc/94110/Pa¢e Lasm.
Please be advised that the Town of Gulf Stream is currently working on a large number of
incoming public records requests. The Town will use its very best efforts to respond to you in a
reasonable amount of time with the appropriate response or an estimated cost to respond.
Sincerely, Town Clerk, Custodian of the Records
From: brian dudley [mailto:brianwdudley@yahoo.com]
Sent: Friday, June 03, 2016 12:30 PM
To: Scott Morgan <SMorgan@gulf-stream.org>; Bill Thrasher <bthrasher@gulf-stream.org>
Subject: Undergrounding of Utilities Question
Scott,
Are you using the general fund to pay for the cost over run of the undergrounding project? I believe this
project is to be paid entirely by the owners it benefits. I live in Palace Au Soleil and we paid for our
undergrounding of our utilities when we purchased our homes from the developer. This does not seem
right that we would be paying for the undergrounding of utilities in another part of the town. I request
further explanation as to why we would be paying for undergrounding overruns on a section of town that
has no benefit to us?
Thanks
-Brian
Brian Dudley
925 Emerald Row
From: Bill Thrasher
Sent: Friday, June 03, 2016 3:40 PM
To: brian dudley <brianwdudley@yahoo.com>
Subject: RE: Undergrounding of Utilities Question
Brian,
Just letting you know your email was received. We are forwarding it to the Mayor.
Thanks for patience.
Bill Thrasher
From: brian dudley [mailto:brianwdudlev@yahoo.coml
Sent: Friday, June 3, 2016 12:30 PM
To: Scott Morgan <SMorgan@gulf-stream.org>; Bill Thrasher <bthrash er@gulf-stream.org>
Subject: Undergrounding of Utilities Question
Scott,
Are you using the general fund to pay for the cost over run of the undergrounding project? I believe this
project is to be paid entirely by the owners it benefits. I live in Palace Au Soleil and we paid for our
undergrounding of our utilities when we purchased our homes from the developer. This does not seem
right that we would be paying for the undergrounding of utilities in another part of the town. I request
further explanation as to why we would be paying for undergrounding overruns on a section of town that
has no benefit to us?
Thanks
-Brian
Brian Dudley
925 Emerald Row
From: William Spengler (mailto:spen72648@aol.com]
Sent: Monday, June 06, 2016 4:06 PM
To: Bill Thrasher <bthrasher@gulf-stream.org>
Subject: Bill Spengler, a place au soleil resident and community association board member
Mr. Thrasher:
You will most likely not remember me, but we briefly met at our PAS community association board
meeting a couple of months ago.
As you may know, there is currently a significant amount of (highly negative) email traffic in our
neighborhood, meetings being called for, etc. etc. related to our community possibly paying
(proportionately?) for the costs of undergrounding wires on the east side of the inter -coastal.
This is just a suggestion, but as a result of this increasingly negative commentary - much of which may
actually be disinformation - I think it would be useful for town management (either you or the mayor) to
proactively communicate with the PAS community on the topic.
I might suggest addressing the following points:
Was our PAS community intended to be exempt from the costs related to this project?
Was this promised (by you or others) to the community?
Is it reasonable for PAS to have assumed that we would be "exempt" in this - based either on promises
made or the fact that our community already had it's wires below ground?
Briefly, why is this project so far over its original estimates, and were these reasons or causes outside of
our control?
What is the process (if any) by which these costs get allocated "between communities"?
How much additional annual cost should an average resident in our community anticipate related to this
(if any)?
In what manner would these additional costs be assessed?
There may be other useful facts to present, but a simple, succinct note to the PAS residents covering the
points above that summarizes/clarifies the situation would likely be very helpful.
Last, my note to you is intended only as a constructive suggestion - I hope it is received in that spirit -
and I have not copied anyone else.
Regards, Bill Spengler
Sent from my Whone
From: Bill Thrasher
Sent: Monday, June 06, 2016 4:12 PM
To: William Spengler <spen72648@aol.com>
Subject: RE: Bill Spengler, a place au Soleil resident and community association board member
Mr. Spengler,
I appreciate your request and I welcome it. It is the only request I have received of this nature. But it is
enough for me to allow me to respond. I will be working on an immediate response and I will forward
that response to the PAS officers.
Thank you,
MUM
-----Original Message -----
From: William Spengler [mailto:spen72648@aol.com]
Sent: Monday, June 6, 2016 4:06 PM
To: Bill Thrasher <bthrasher@gulf-stream.org>
Subject: Bill Spengler, a place au Soleil resident and community association board member
Mr. Thrasher:
You will most likely not remember me, but we briefly met at our PAS community association board
meeting a couple of months ago.
As you may know, there is currently a significant amount of (highly negative) email traffic in our
neighborhood, meetings being called for, etc. etc. related to our community possibly paying
(proportionately?) for the costs of undergrounding wires on the east side of the inter -coastal.
This is just a suggestion, but as a result of this increasingly negative commentary- much of which may
actually be disinformation - I think it would be useful for town management (either you or the mayor) to
proactively communicate with the PAS community on the topic.
I might suggest addressing the following points:
Was our PAS community intended to be exempt from the costs related to this project?
Was this promised (by you or others) to the community?
Is it reasonable for PAS to have assumed that we would be "exempt" in this - based either on promises
made or the fact that our community already had it's wires below ground?
Briefly, why is this project so far over its original estimates, and were these reasons or causes outside of
our control?
What is the process (if any) by which these costs get allocated "between communities"?
How much additional annual cost should an average resident in our community anticipate related to this
(if any)?
In what manner would these additional costs be assessed?
There may be other useful facts to present, but a simple, succinct note to the PAS residents covering the
points above that summarizes/clarifies the situation would likely be very helpful.
Last, my note to you is intended only as a constructive suggestion - I hope it is received in that spirit -
and I have not copied anyone else.
Regards, Bill Spengler
Sent from my Whore
From: William Spengler [mailto:spen72648@aol.com]
Sent: Monday, June 06, 2016 4:52 PM
To: Bill Thrasher <bthrasher@gulf-stream.org>
Subject: Re: Bill Spengler, a place au Soleil resident and community association board member
I never understand people spending time emoting with each other rather than getting the facts and a
full understanding.
My suggestion is to simply to help PAS get better informed, and I appreciate you taking the thought in a
positive way.
Regards, Bill Spengler
Sent from my iPhone
> On Jun 6, 2016, at 4:12 PM, Bill Thrasher <bthrasher@gulf-stream.org> wrote:
> Mr. Spengler,
> I appreciate your request and I welcome it. It is the only request I have received of this nature. But it
is enough for me to allow me to respond. I will be working on an immediate response and I will forward
that response to the PAS officers.
> Thank you,
> Bill
> -----Original Message-----
> From: William Spengler [mailto:spen72648@aol.com]
> Sent: Monday, June 6, 2016 4:06 PM
> To: Bill Thrasher <bthrasher@gulf-stream.org>
> Subject: Bill Spengler, a place au soleil resident and community association board member
> Mr. Thrasher:
> You will most likely not remember me, but we briefly met at our PAS community association board
meeting a couple of months ago.
> As you may know, there is currently a significant amount of (highly negative) email traffic in our
neighborhood, meetings being called for, etc. etc. related to our community possibly paying
(proportionately?) for the costs of undergrounding wires on the east side of the inter -coastal.
> This is just a suggestion, but as a result of this increasingly negative commentary - much of which may
actually be disinformation - I think it would be useful for town management (either you or the mayor) to
proactively communicate with the PAS community on the topic.
> I might suggest addressing the following points:
> Was our PAS community intended to be exempt from the costs related to this project?
> Was this promised (by you or others) to the community?
> Is it reasonable for PAS to have assumed that we would be "exempt" in this - based either on promises
made or the fact that our community already had it's wires below ground?
> Briefly, why is this project so far over its original estimates, and were these reasons or causes outside
of our control?
> What is the process (if any) by which these costs get allocated "between communities"?
> How much additional annual cost should an average resident in our community anticipate related to
this (if any)?
> In what manner would these additional costs be assessed?
> There may be other useful facts to present, but a simple, succinct note to the PAS residents covering
the points above that summarizes/clarifies the situation would likely be very helpful.
> Last, my note to you is intended only as a constructive suggestion - I hope it is received in that spirit -
and I have not copied anyone else.
> Regards, Bill Spengler
> Sent from my iPhone
From: William Spengler [mailto:spen72648@aol.com]
Sent: Monday, June 06, 2016 5:34 PM
To: Bill Thrasher <bthrasher@gulf-stream.org>
Subject: Fwd: The Barrier Island Undergrounding Project and PAS
Looks like somebody had the same idea!
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
From: Donna White <pasodonna(@.gmail.com>
Date: June 6, 2016 at 5:20:23 PM EDT
To: c o <pinegd(@,,mnail.com>, "honor0429C@.vahoo.com" <honor0429n@,vahoo.com>, Frank
Russo <fjrussoI I(g,gmail.com>, ROSE LOCASCIO < lroseii& optonline.net>, herman stevens
<hermanstevensir @,aol.com>, Zac Bruker
<zbruker(&carecloud.com>, "ozmeister7l(o)hotmail.com" <ozmeister7l (i hotmail.com>,
"ampilivenahotmail.com" <ampilive(c�hotmail.com>, "pasodonna(a),,gmail.com"
<pasodonna(&gmail.com>, Charles Carlino <carlinocnabellsouth.net>, Mary Eamhart
<crvkie5(@,,gmail.corn>, "Sandv5230na aol.com"
<Sandy5230C&�aol.com>, "daghartung(@,vahoo.com" <daghartune(&vahoo.com>, Augusto
Titarelli<augusto.titarelli(a,gmail.com>, "bob(@laughnematel.com" <bobQlaughnerpatel.com>,
"swordoutna,aol.com" <swordoutn@,aol.com>, tom kubricky
<TKC Engineering(cDroadrunner.com>, Mary Schindlbeck
<beckyhd@gmail.com>, "maicmurphvnahotmail.com" <malcmumhyahotmail.com>,
"HJLANCE(@,AOL.com" <HJLANCE(&aol.com>, Chris Moreno
<chrislmoreno3(@,gmail.com>, Ingrid <ILKCCIM(o)aol.com>, "janet.r.irelandAmmail.com"
<ianet.r.irelandna,gmail.com>, Rick Ireland <rick.ireland55n@ gmail.com>, Suzanne Boyd
<sboydna,cbsl2.com>, "NewBob88(@jne.com" <NewBob88@me.com>, Marion Fine
<marionfine(@,gmail.com>, Kristina Sutton Ermers
<KristinaSuttonErmers(@,,email.com>, "lindnerflmucna,aol.com" <lindnerflmuc(c aol.com>,
Michael Panagis <mpanagis(i�mac.com>, Elena
<elenacarissimo(@,mac.com>, "christopher.mellor(@,tesco.net"
<Christopher.Mellor(cD,,tesco.net>, "georgeandkarenl0(@,gmail.com"
<georgeandkarenl0la,gmail.com>, "nickventura(@,comcast.net" <nickventura(a),comcast.net>,
"EEDENHA(aaol.com" <eedenha(@aol.com>, "H.rollins(irhotmail.com"
<jj.rollins(@hotmail.com>, "Shelley O'Hare" <shellevohareQvahoo.com>, miguel neumann
<neumannmiguel(@vahoo.com>, "Robert J. Denton" <ridenton479(&,gmail.com>, julio martinez
<immp1059(@,vahoo.com>, "christine s martinez(@,vahoo.com"
<christine s martinez(@,vahoo.com>, "Jeff & Lindsey Jones" <drerossen(@,,earthlink.net>,
"xcjmsx(a)aol.com" <xcjmsxaa aol.com>, "aircraftem(@aol.com" <AircraftemQDaol.com>,
"iames malonel7@,att.net" <James malonen&,att.neV, Janet Beddia <tibeddia(@.bellsouth.net>,
David Prusakowski <endobocana gmail.com>, Jerry Clippinger
<ierryn@,anvthinginfence.com>, "sharonna anvthinginfence.com"
<sharon(@anythinginfence.com>, "jamiemarraRaol.com"
<jamiemarra(a)aol.com>, "abennettdelrav(&,,comcast.net" <abennettdelrav(@comcast.net>,
"traciesafwat(@.AOL.com" <traciesafwatn@ aol.com>, gail <SJRGAOi7abellsouth.net>,
1'syen72648Qaol.com" <spen72648aa.aol.com>1 "mortmillerl(@,msn.com"
<morbnillerl(ac msn.com>, "placeausoleil(cDvahoo.com" <placeausoleil(@vahoo.com>, paul
tinsley <evtinsle)Qhotmail.com>, Robert Dudley
<docdudna.gmail.com>, "beniirevnolds(cDaol.com" <beniirevnolds(c aol.com>,
"BrianwdudlevOwahoo.com" <BrianwdudleyAyahoo.com>, "mol nn�(a bellsouth.net"
<molvneub(abellsouth.net>, "WMCFLna OL.com"
<WMCFLna,aol.com>, "seabradelr(a)AOL.com" <seabrzdelr(@,,aol.com>,
"mnevexpert(@@,aol.com" <mnevexpert(a aol.com>, "SSG0904(cDaol.com" <SSG0904(&aol.com>,
"JAMS( ,optonline.net" <JAM5aoptonline.net>, "dfr99nafhotmail.com" <dfr99(@hotmail.com>,
Priscilla Ross <pbehneross(@gmail.com>, "fsalvatore58(@gmail.com"
<fsalvatore58(@,gmail.com>, "amnetcomm(a aol.com"
<amnetcommaa,aol.com>, "eslmd@medicalcvbemetics.com"
<eslmdla medicalcvbemetics.com>,"hpna,assetprotectionattomeVs.COm"
<hp@assetprotectionattorneys.com>, "ionathanioi hnsonnadeloitte.com"
<jonathanioluison(adeloitte.com>, "vermaflaa gmail.com"
<vermafl(a,gmail.com>, "scottcampbell(@hotmail.com" <scottcamnbell@,hotmail.com>, Chet
SNAVELY <ccsnavelvAaol.com>, "drme12000( aol.com" <drmel2000(a aol.com>,
edwardyslominski(@vahoo.com
Subject: The Barrier Island Undergrounding Project and PAS
In view of the recent e-mails concerning PAS and the barrier island undergrounding project, I
would like to elucidate on the following issues:
1. As of now, Phase 2 of the undergrounding project is over budget by approximately $571,000.
2. The Town proposed taking the over -budget amount out of the General Fund savings (no
special assessments to be made to any residents).
3. PAS represents approximately 8.5% of the tax base for the entire Town of Gulf Stream, so
the amount that reflects taxes already collected from PAS residents to be used for the
undergrounding issue is approximately $48,535 (or $522 per lot). The balance of approximately
$522,465 is being paid by taxes already collected from the barrier island residents.
4. Some e-mails mentionned that the PAS entrance project done in 2011/2012 was financed
entirely by PAS residents. The records show that the Town contributed approximately over
$15,000 to our project, as well as bankrolling the entire project at no interest (PAS paid back
amounts to the Town as assessments were received). The Gulf Stream Civic Association
contributed $7,500 to our project as well. The Town also was involved in providing
vendors/supervision/etc to the project.
5. The Town regularly pays the water bills for the landscaping of the common areas/entrance of
PAS.
6. The Town regularly contributes $2,500/year to the PAS HOA to be used for
upgrades/maintenance/etc as needed.
7. The Draft Budget for the Town for 2017 proposes a decrease in the millage rate to 4.59 (from
the current 5.0) which indicates that the town council is operating with prudent fiscal
management. The Draft Budget can be viewed online on the Town's website. (It can be found
under the upcoming June 10 Commission Meeting Agenda by scrolling down through the
attachments.)
8. I have never seen evidence of reallocation of water fee increases for other purposes. I admit
that my water/garbage bill is high, but increases in reserves were made because water
pipes/mains are old and starting to leak. The time will come when repairs may not be sufficient
and mains will break requiring extensive funds for replacement. The Town is building a reserve
fund to address this eventuality. Presently $750,000 has been isolated in a special savings
account (drawing interest) at Flagler Bank for this purpose. Again, you can find this line item in
the attachments to the budget by scrolling down through the Agenda to the June 10th meeting.
In conclusion, I urge anyone with questions or comments to attend the Commission Meetings or
send in letters to the Town with questions/comments/etc. The Town's website also posts video
coverage of all Meetings and is a good source of information. Our PAS HOA Meetings are also
a source of information. Mayor Morgan has attended the recent PAS Annual Meetings, and at
the March 15, 2016 one he spoke about the undergrounding project at length and was available
for questions. With everyone working together we can make our great Town even better.
Thank you for your time and attention.
Donna White
Town Commissioner/PAS Resident/HOA Board Member
From: Bill Thrasher
Sent: Monday, June 06, 2016 6:19 PM
To: William Spengler<spen72648@aol.com>
Subject: Re: The Barrier Island Undergrounding Project and PAS
Bill, she has covered well. I will stay quiet and respect Town Commissioner White address of
the issues. Thanks for the information.
We are one Town, not two.
M
From: William Spengler<spen72648C�aol.com>
Sent: Monday, June 6, 2016 5:33 PM
To: Bill Thrasher
Subject: Fwd: The Barrier Island Undergrounding Project and PAS
Looks like somebody had the same idea!
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
From: Donna White <pasodonna@gmail.com>
Date: June 6, 2016 at 5:20:23 PM EDT
To: c o <pinegd@gmail.com>, "honor0429Pvahoo.com" <honor0429@vahoo.com>, Frank
Russo <f russoll@gmail.com>, ROSE LOCASCIO <flrose@optonline.net>, herman stevens
<hermanstevensir@aol.com>, Zac Bruker
<zbruker@carecloud.com>, "ozmeister7l@hotmail.com" <ozmeister71@hotmail.com>,
"ampilive@hotmail.com" <ampilive@hotmail.com>, "pasodonna@gmail.com"
<pasodonna@gmail.com>, Charles Carlino <carlinoc@bellsouth.net>, Mary Earnhart
<crykie5@gmaiI.com>, "Sandy5230@aol.com"
<Sandy5230@aol.com>, "daghartung@yahoo.com" <daghartung@vahoo.com>, Augusto
Titarelli <augusto.titarelli@gmail.com>1 "bob@ laughnerpatel.com"
<bo_bWaugh nerpatel.com>, "swordout@aol.com" <swordout@aol.com>, tom kubricky
<TKC Engineering@roadrunner.com>, Mary Schindlbeck
<beckphd@gmail.com>, "malcmurphv@hotmail.com" <malcmurphv@hotmail.com>,
"HJLANCE@AOL.com" <HJLANCE@aol.com>, Chris Moreno <chris1moreno3@gmail.com>,
Ingrid <ILKCCIM@aol.com>, "janet.r.ireland@gmail.com" <ianet.r.ireland@gmail.com>, Rick
Ireland <rick.ireland55@gmail.com>, Suzanne Boyd <sbovd@cbsl2.com>,
"NewBob886Dme.com" <NewBob88@me.com>, Marion Fine
<marionfine@gmail.com>, Kristina Sutton Ermers
<Kristina5uttonErmers@gmail.com>, "lindnerflmuc@aol.com" <lindnerflmuc@aol.com>,
Michael Panagis <mpanagis@mac.com>, Elena
<elenacarissimo@mac.com>, "christopher.mellor@tesco.net"
<Christopher.Mellor@tesco.net>, "Reorseandkarenl0@smail.com"
<seorseandkaren10@email.com>, "nickventura@comcast. net" <nickventura@comcast.net>,
"EEDENHA@aol.com" <eedenha@aol.com>, "ji.rollins@hotmail.com"
<ji.rollins@hotmail.com>, "Shelley O'Hare" <shellevohare@vahoo.com>, miguel neumann
<neumannmieuel@vahoo.com>, "Robert J. Denton" <r1denton479@¢mail.com>, julio martinez
<immp1059@vahoo.com>, "christine s martinez@vahoo.com"
<christine s martinez@vahoo.com>, "Jeff & Lindsey Jones" <drerossen@earth link. net>,
"xcimsx@aol.com" <xcimsx@aol.com>, "aircraftem@aol.com" <Aircraftem@aol.com>,
"fames malone@att.net" <James malone@att.net>, Janet Beddia <tibeddia@bellsouth.net>,
David Prusakowski <endoboca@email.com>, Jerry Clippinger
<ierry@anvthineinfence.com>, "sharon@anythineinfence.com"
<sharon@anvthinsinfence.com>, "iamiemarra@aol.com"
<iamiemarra@aol.com>, "abennettdelrav@comcast.net" <abennettdelrav@comcast.net>,
"traciesafwat@AOL.com.'<traciesafwat(a)aol.com>, gail <SJRGAQ(a@bellsouth.net>,
"spen72648@aol.com" <spen72648@aol.com>, "mortmillerl@msn.com"
<mortmillerl@msn.com>, "placeausoleil@vahoo.com" <placeausoleil@vahoo.com>, Paul
tinsley <eptinslev@hotmail.com>, Robert Dudley
<docdud@email.com>, "ben iirevnoIds Ca) aol.com " <beniirevnolds@aol.com>,
"Brianwdudlev@vahoo.com" <Brianwdudlev@vahoo.com>, "molvneub@bellsouth.net"
<molvneub@bellsouth.net>, "WMCFL@AOL.com"
<WMCFL@aol.com>, "sea brzdelr@AOL.com" <seabrzdelr@aol.com>, "mnevexpert@aol.com"
<mnevexpert@aol.com>, "SSG0904@aol.com" <SSG0904@aol.com>, "JAM5@optonline.net"
<1AM5@optonline.net>, "dfr99@hotmail.com" <dfr99@hotmail.com>, Priscilla Ross
<pbehneross@smail.com>, "fsalvatore58@smail. com" <fsalvatore58@¢mail.com>,
"amnetcomm@aol.com" <amnetcomm@aol.com>, "eslmd@medicalcvbernetics.com"
<eslmd@medicalcvbernetics.com>,"hp@assetprotectionattornevs.com"
<hhp@assetprotectionattorneys. com>, "ionathaniohnson@deloitte.com"
<ionathaniohnsonCa@deloitte.com>, "vermafl@email.com"
<vermafl(c@email.com>, "scottcampbell(cdhotmail.com" <scottcampbell@hotmail.com>, Chet
SNAVELY <ccsnavely@aol.com>, "drmel2000@aol.com" <drmel2000@aol.com>,
edwardpslominski@vahoo.com
Subject: The Barrier Island Undergrounding Project and PAS
In view of the recent e-mails concerning PAS and the barrier island undergrounding project, I
would like to elucidate on the following issues:
1. As of now, Phase 2 of the undergrounding project is over budget by approximately
$571,000.
2. The Town proposed taking the over -budget amount out of the General Fund savings (no
special assessments to be made to any residents).
3. PAS represents approximately 8.5% of the tax base for the entire Town of Gulf Stream, so
the amount that reflects taxes already collected from PAS residents to be used for the
undergrounding issue is approximately $48,535 (or $522 per lot). The balance of approximately
$522,465 is being paid by taxes already collected from the barrier island residents.
4. Some e-mails mentionned that the PAS entrance project done in 2011/2012 was financed
entirely by PAS residents. The records show that the Town contributed approximately over
$15,000 to our project, as well as bankrolling the entire project at no interest (PAS paid back
amounts to the Town as assessments were received). The Gulf Stream Civic Association
contributed $7,500 to our project as well. The Town also was involved in providing
vendors/supervision/etc to the project.
5. The Town regularly pays the water bills for the landscaping of the common areas/entrance
of PAS.
6. The Town regularly contributes $2,500/year to the PAS HOA to be used for
upgrades/maintenance/etc as needed.
7. The Draft Budget for the Town for 2017 proposes a decrease in the millage rate to 4.59
(from the current 5.0) which indicates that the town council is operating with prudent fiscal
management. The Draft Budget can be viewed online on the Town's website. (It can be found
under the upcoming June 10 Commission Meeting Agenda by scrolling down through the
attachments.)
8. 1 have never seen evidence of reallocation of water fee increases for other purposes. I
admit that my water/garbage bill is high, but increases in reserves were made because water
pipes/mains are old and starting to leak. The time will come when repairs may not be sufficient
and mains will break requiring extensive funds for replacement. The Town is building a reserve
fund to address this eventuality. Presently $750,000 has been isolated in a special savings
account (drawing interest) at Flagler Bank for this purpose. Again, you can find this line item in
the attachments to the budget by scrolling down through the Agenda to the June 10th meeting.
In conclusion, I urge anyone with questions or comments to attend the Commission Meetings
or send in letters to the Town with questions/comments/etc. The Town's website also posts
video coverage of all Meetings and is a good source of information. Our PAS HOA Meetings are
also a source of information. Mayor Morgan has attended the recent PAS Annual Meetings,
and at the March 15, 2016 one he spoke about the undergrounding project at length and was
available for questions. With everyone working together we can make our great Town even
better.
Thank you for your time and attention.
Donna White
Town Commissioner/PAS Resident/HOA Board Member
From: ilkccim@aol.com [mailto:ilkccim@aol.com]
Sent: Thursday, June 09, 2016 3:36 PM
To: Bill Thrasher <bthrasher@gulf-stream.org>; Scott Morgan <SMorgan@gulf-stream.org>; Robert
Ganger <RGanger@gulf-stream.org>; Joan Orthwein <JOrthwein@gulf-stream.org>; Tom Stanley
<TStanley@gulf-stream.org>; Donna White <DWhite@gulf-stream.org>
Subject: Underground Utility Project
Dear Mr. Mayor, Commissioners and Mr. Thrasher,
As a resident of the Town of Gulf Stream and Place Au Soleil, I do not agree with your vote to incorporate
PAS into the payment program for the underground utility project.
I would like you to reconsider this decision
This is a project that, I believe, only benefits the residents that wanted this project, voted for this project
and said they would pay for this project. The only group that should be paying for this mismanagement /
project overruns should be those charged with the management of the project (accountability) and/or
back to the residents that wanted the project to begin with. Please hold projects to timelines, budgets and
general business accountabilities or look to those whom have not done the job tasked of them.
Before you all took action to allow the rest of our community to help pay for this, I believe we should have
been given some type of notice so that those affected could be heard.
Please reconsider your action, immediately stop the project, immediately stop phase 2 (1 do not wish to
pay for that either) and allow the community voices to be heard.
Thank you for your consideration,
Ingrid Kennemer
810 Tangerine Way
Place Au Soleil
From: Bill Thrasher
Sent: Thursday, June 09, 2016 4:01 PM
To: ilkccim@aol.com
Subject: RE: Underground Utility Project
Received.
From: ilkccimCcDaol.com (mailto:ilkccim@aol.coml
Sent: Thursday, June 9, 2016 3:36 PM
To: Bill Thrasher<bthrasher@gulf-stream.org>; Scott Morgan <SMorgan(cDgulf-stream.org>; Robert
Ganger <RGangerCdgulf-stream.org>; Joan Orthwein <JOrthweinC5Dgulf-stream.org>; Tom Stanley
<TStanlev@gulf-stream.org>; Donna White <DWhiteCa)gulf-stream.org>
Subject: Underground Utility Project
Dear Mr. Mayor, Commissioners and Mr. Thrasher,
As a resident of the Town of Gulf Stream and Place Au Soleil, I do not agree with your vote to incorporate
PAS into the payment program for the underground utility project.
I would like you to reconsider this decision.
This is a project that, I believe, only benefits the residents that wanted this project, voted for this project
and said they would pay for this project. The only group that should be paying for this mismanagement /
project overruns should be those charged with the management of the project (accountability) and/or
back to the residents that wanted the project to begin with. Please hold projects to timelines, budgets and
general business accountabilities or look to those whom have not done the job tasked of them.
Before you all took action to allow the rest of our community to help pay for this, I believe we should have
been given some type of notice so that those affected could be heard.
Please reconsider your action, immediately stop the project, immediately stop phase 2 (1 do not wish to
pay for that either) and allow the community voices to be heard.
Thank you for your consideration,
Ingrid Kennemer
810 Tangerine Way
Place Au Soleil
Fwd: Place Au Soleil will now pay for Undergrounding and new ...... https://mail.gulf-stream.org/owa/#viewmodel=ReadMessageltem&I..
Fwd: Place Au Soleil will now pay for Undergrounding and new
street lights on the Island
Donna White <pasodonna@gmail.com>
Thu 6/2/2016 9:20 PM
To:Donna White <DWhite@gulf-stream.org>;
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Edward Slominski <edwardoslominski@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, Jun 2, 2016 at 12:33 PM
Subject: Re: Place Au Soleil will now pay for Undergrounding and new street lights on the Island
To: c o <ginegd@gmail.com>
Cc: "honor0429@yahoo.com.' <honor0429@vahoo.com>, Frank Russo <fJrussoll@gmail.com>, ROSE LOCASCIO
<flrose@ootonline.net>, herman stevens <hermanstevensir@aol.com>, Zac Bruker <zbruker@carecloud.com>,
"ozmeister7l@hotmaii.com" <ozmeister7l@hotmaiLcom>, "ampilive@hotmaiLcom" <ampilive@hotmaiLcom>,
"pasodonna@amail.com" <pasodonna@gmail.com>, Charles Carlino <carlinoc@bellsouth.net>, Mary Earnhart
<crvkie5@omail.com>, "Sandv52300aol,com" <Sandy5230@aol.com>, "daahartuna@vahoo.com" <daohartuno@yahoo.com>,
Augusto Titarelli <augusto.titarelli@amail.com>, "bob@laughnerpatel.com" <bob@laughnerpatel.com>, "swordout@aol.com"
<swordout@aol.com>, tom kubricky <TKC Enaineerina@roadrunneccom>, Mary Schindlbeck <beckohd@omail.com>,
"malcmurphy@hotmail.com" <malcmurphv@hotmail.com>, "HILANCE@AOL.com" <HJLANCE@aol.com>, Chris Moreno
<chris1moreno3@gmaiI.com>, Ingrid <ILKCCIM@aol.com>, 1anetdreland@gmaiLcom" <ianet.cireland@gmail.com>, Rick Ireland
<rick.ireland55@gmail.com>, Suzanne Boyd <sboyd@cbsl2.com>, "NewBob88@me.com" <NewBob88@me.com>, Marion Fine
<marionfine@ymaiI.com>, Kristina Sutton Ermers <KristinaSuttonErmers@gmail.com>, "lindnerflmuc@aol.com"
<lindnerflmuc@aol.com>, Michael Panagis <moanagis@mac.com>, Elena <elenacarissimo@mac.com>,
"christoohermellor@tesco.net" <Christooher.Mellor@tesco.net>, "georgeandkaren100gmaiLcom"
<georgeandkarenl0@gmaiLcom>, "nickventura@comcast.net" <nickventura@comcast.net>, "EEDENHA@aol.com"
<eedenha@aol.com>, "ii.rollins@hotmaiLcom" <ii.rollins@hotmaiI.com>, Shelley O'Hare <shelleyohare@yahoo.com>, miguel
neumann <neumannmi, uel yahoo.com>, "Robert J. Denton" <ridenton479@omaiI.com>,julio martinez
<jmmp10590vahoo.com>, "christine s martinez@vahoo.com" <christine s martinez@vahoo.com>, Jeff & Lindsey Jones
<drerossen@earthlink.net>, "xcjmsx@aol.com" <xcimsx@aol.com>, "aircraftem@aol.com" <Aircraftem@aoI.com>,
"lames malone@attnet" <James malone@att.net>, Janet Beddia <tjbeddia@bellsouth.net>, David Prusakowski
<endoboca@gmail.com>, Jerry Clippinger <ierry@anvthinainfence.com>, "sharon@anythinoinfence.com"
<sharon@anythinoinfence.com>, "iamiemarra@aol.com" <'amiemarra@aoI.com>, "abennettdelray@comcast.net"
<abennettdelraysalcomcast.net>, "traciesafwat@AOL.com" <traciesafwat@aol.com>, gail <SJRGAO@bellsouth.net>,
"spen72648@aol.com" <ssoen72648@aol.com>, "mortmillerl@msn.com" <mortmillerl@msn.com>, "placeausoleil@yahoo.com"
<Placeausoleil@yahoo.com>, Paul tinsley <eotinslev@hotmail.com>, Robert Dudley <docdud ymail.com>,
"beniireynolds@aol.com" <beniirevnolds@aol.com>, "Brianwdudley@yahoo.com" <Brianwdudlev@vahoo.com>,
"molvneub@bellsouth.net" <molyneub@bellsouth.net>, "WMCFL@AOL.com" <WMCFL@aol.com>, "seabrzdelr@AOL.com"
<seabrzdelr@aol.com>, "mneyexpert@aol.com" <mnevexoert@aol.com>, "SSG0904@aol.com" <SSG0904@aol.com>,
"JAMS@ootonline.net" <1AM5@ootonline.net>, "dfr99@hotmaiLcom" <dfr99@hotmail.com>, Priscilla Ross
<pbehneross@amail.cam>, 1salvatore58@gmail.com" <fsalvatore58@gmaiI.com>, "amnetcomm@aol.com"
<amnetcomm@aol.com>, "eslmd@medicalcybernetics.com" <eslmd@medicalcybernetics.com>,
"ho@assetprotectionattorneys.com"<hi)@assetorotectionattornevs.com>, "jonathanjohnson@deloitte.com"
<jonathanjohnson@deloitte.com>, "drme12000@aol.com" <drme12000@aol.com>, "vermafl@gmaiLcom" <vermafl@gmail.com>,
"scottcamobell@hotmail.com" <scottcampbell@hotmaiLcom>, Chet SNAVELY <ccsnavely@aol.com>
1 of 4 6/22/2016 3:32 PM
wd: Place An Soleil will now pay for Undergrounding and new ...... https://mail.gulf-stream.org/owa/#viewmodel=ReadMessageltem&I...
Maybe we should be looking at a recall vote. The last turn out was about 450. We would only need 10 % of that morgan mayjust
resign to avoid embarrassment it would give us leverage to get another person on the town council I propose Julio
Sent from my iPhone
On Jun 2, 2016, at 8:24 AM, c o <pinead@amail.com> wrote:
1 don't know why Place Au Soleil is being singled out for this kind of treatment. Unlike the rich side of town, our neighborhood
can't have privacy fences over 6' high unless they are blocked from view by a hedge; 75% of ALL plants and hedges located
between the front of your home and the road must be no taller than 3 feet. Many of the beautiful homes on the east side of
Town aren't allowed to be built in Place Au Soleil because they are not "compatible" with our neighborhood (the Town is the
ultimate decider of what is compatible). And now the Town is about to pass new regulations further restricting 2nd stories in
Place Au Soleil.
I lived in the middle of the east side of Gulf Stream for over 10 years and in Place Au Soleil for the past 5. Things are very
different here. I talked to many neighbors who have shared their horror stories with me about an overreaching Town,
overzealous code enforcement and an abusive Town Manager. How many of you have similar stories you just keep to yourself?
I reached my breaking point in October 2011 when Officer Ginsberg trespassed into my home. My complaint about that resulted
in a nightmare of Town retaliation including selective code enforcement and frivolous lawsuits by the Town. I was even
prosecuted for planting lady palms in my yard (plants that were a gift to me by the late Mayor Koch). I knew this wasn't right
and I was determined to get to the bottom of it all. I attend most every Town meeting; I got involved; asked questions in person
at meetings and by email; I requested to inspect a lot of public records and discovered things that led me to ask for even more
public records. I discovered that the Town plays very loose with the rules. The "book" is thrown at some residents while others
can act with impunity. The private clubs in Town get huge tax breaks while they violate Town code daily. The Town ignores many
state and federal statutes. If you have ever been before the ARPB or the Commission seeking approval of a building application
you know that their personal design opinions are the determining factor and not the vague regulations in the Town code.
The Town does not like this kind of scrutiny. The Town waged a media campaign to portray all my efforts as abusive; convince
many of my neighbors that I was the problem - not Town leaders; lied under oath in Federal Court; even sued me for RICO in an
attempt to make me go away (Mayor Morgan's own words). This was devastating to me and destroyed my family but also
hardened my resolve.
Town leaders have been emboldened to act like this because no one complains to them. The Coastal Star sugar coats their
behavior while Island residents cheer them on at public meetings. Our own neighborhood Commissioner Donna White says
nary a word and votes in lock step with the Mayor. There is no dissent to keep their abuses in check. This latest abusive decision
to shift the burden to pay for the undergrounding project onto the residents of Place Au Soleil is directly due to the squeaky
wheel getting the grease; east side residents voiced their opinion and Place Au Soleil residents didn't. If you are unhappy with
Town leaders it is not enough to only complain to your neighbors.
Our property taxes have nearly doubled since Mayor Koch died just a few years ago. As high as they are now I predict they will
double again in the next few years. I am not happy about this. I have three home in Place Au Soleil and I want low taxesjust like
everybody else. But I choose to not just complain to neighbors when I see this kind of bad behavior; I am doing something
about it - at great personal expense. Unfortunately the Town's expenses are passed on to you.
Chris O'Hare
2520 Avenue Au Soleil
On Wed, Jun 1, 2016 at 5:31 PM, Laura Honor <honor0429Pyahoo.com> wrote:
I am trying to sell my home on the Avenue side. Values of homes for sale on this side are dropping dramatically due to
of 4 6/22/2016 3:32 PM
Fwd: Place Au Soleil will now pay for Undergrounding and new ...... https:Hmail.gulf-stream.org/owa/#viewmodel=ReadMessageltem&I...
economy, homes not being maintained, out of control rules enforced on residents is. no metal roof is ridicules In a
hurricane prone area. Excessive water bill fee charges & now an assessments that the residences on this side will have to
incurs. I NEVER VOTED ON THIS PROJECT. If mismanagement by town Officals caused this situation then STOP THE
PROJECT NOW! This assessment will hurt selling these homes even more, to the point that all home values will suffer
and be driven down further. It is time to vote all these town politicians out. I will be glad to join in any class action suit
brought against the town and all Officals Involved if they move forward to systematically devalue our properties or
continue to add further hardships.
Sincerely, Dennis Honor 2756 Cardinal Cir.
Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
On Wed, Jun 1, 2016 at 2:45 PM, Edward Slominski
<edwardoslominski@vahoo.com> wrote:
Let's settle these ridiculous lawsuits and stop the excessive costs our town can avoid. When will people realize we have I
compete governence Thrasher & Morgan need to go 1
Sent from my phone
On Jun 1, 2016, at 2:40 PM, c o <pinegd@gmail.com> wrote:
I generally resist sharing the bad news out of Town Hall with my neighbors but this latest indignity should be
considered by all residents of Place Au Soleil.
During the last Town Hall meeting the Commission voted to stick Place Au Soleil with the bill for work that they
originally said would be paid for only by property owners on the island side of Town.
This switch in thinking was apparently due to east side property owners telling town leaders they would not tolerate
another special assessment to pay for the Town's screwed up undergrounding project.
The Mayor and Commissioners have done an about face from their earlier claims that only those who benefited by this
project would have to pay for the project. Place Au Soleil residents were off the hook until this past meeting.
Despite my objections and the cautious inquiry of Commissioner White about this change, Commissioner Ganger (this
was originally his idea), Mayor Morgan, and Commissioners Orthwein, White and Stanley unanimously voted to stick
Place Au Soleil with this bill.
You can read the sugar coated version in the Coastal Star at:
htto://thecoasta I sta r, co m/o rofii I es/b loos/a ulf-stream-uti I ities-oro! ect-o ets-new-head-of-stea m
My online published comments follow:
The Town had many many meetings where Town leaders and the GtrfStream Civic Association
"sold" its on the idea that this project did not benefit the entire Town but rather had only "special
benefits"for some residents and not others. The Town levied a non -ad valorem tax assessment
against those residents instead ofspreading the cost over ALL residents with an ad valorem tax
based on property values. The Town figured this was the only way it could win the straw ballot and
get the project approved by the voters.
Condo owners realized they were being disproportionately taxed for this project; some paying
almost as much as nearby estates worth 10 to 20 times more than their tiny condominium apartment
3 of 4 6/22/2016 3:32 PM
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was worth. The condo owners complained. The Town hired expensive consultants who concocted
a Special Assessment Methodology `proving condo owners should pay more. In true character the
Town told these owners, "This project has special benefits, not general benefits so screw you —your
paying. "
Now, miracle of miracles, the Town has decided the project has general benefits after all. So now
ALL residents will be stuck with the bill for the Town's mismanagement and the project's overmns.
And that "special benefits " rational used to bully the condo owners into paying too much? That has
now morphed into a "general benefits " rational being used to bully the residents of Place Au Soleil
into paying at all.
Wiry shouldn 4 Place An Soleil residents pay anyway? In order to "sell " the non -ad valorem tax
Town leaders, Town consultants, Town attorneys and the Gulf Stream Civic Association all claimed
correctly Place Au Soleil already has buried utilities paid for by the residents — they were not
benefiting by this work being done only on the rich side of the waterway.
Is this the next giant lawsuit for Gulf Stream? Town leaders should reconsider their actions. Either
abolish the special assessment, return the non -ad valorem money to residents and pay for the
project from General Funds OR go back to all those residents who the Town claims received
"special benefits ", tax them again for the shortfall and leave Place Au Soleil out of it.
of 4 6/22/2016 3:32 PM
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Fwd: Place Au Soleil will now pay for Undergrounding and new
street lights on ...
Donna White <pasodonna@gmail.com>
Fri 6/3/2016 6:32 PM
To:Donna White <DWhite@gulf-stream.org>;
Forwarded message
From: c o <pinead@omail.com>
Date: Fri, Jun 3, 2016 at 12:19 PM
Subject: Re: Place Au Soleil will now pay for Undergrounding and new street lights on ...
To: "beniirevnolds@aol.com" <Beniirevnolds@aol.com>, c o <oinegd@gmaiLcom>Julio martinez <jmmo1059@yahoo.com>,
ccsnavely@aol.com. Ingrid <ILKccim@aol.com>, Frank Russo <fjrussoll@amaII.com>, rose Locascio <flrose@ootonline.net>,
herman Stevens <hermanstevensjrPaol.com>, Zac Bruker <zbruker@carecloud.com>, "ozmeister710hotmaiLcom"
<ozmeister7l@hotmaiLcom>, amoilive@hotmail.com. Dennis Honor <Honor0429@yahoo.com>, "pasodonna@gmaiLcom"
<pasodonna@gmail.com>, Charles Carlino <carlinoc@bellsouth.net>, Mary Earnhart <crvkie5@amaiLcom>,
"Sandy5230@aol.com" <Sandy5230@aol.com>, "daa hartuna@vahoo.com" <da hq artung(3)yahoo.com>, Augusto Titarelli
<augusto.titarelli@gmaiLcom>, bob@laughnerpatel.com, "swordout@aol.com" <swordout@aol.com>, tom kubricky
<TKC Enaineerina@roadrunneccom>, Mary Schindlbeck <beckohd@amaiLcom>, "malcmurohv@hotmail.com"
<malcmurohv@hotmaiLcom>, "HJLANCE@AOL.com" <HJLANCE@aol.com>, Chris Moreno <chris1morenc3@amaiLcom>,
"ianet.rireland@gmaiLcom" <janet.rireland@gmaiLcom>, Rick Ireland <rick.ireland55@gmail.com>, Suzanne Boyd
<sboyd@cbsl2.com>, NeWBOb88@me.com. Marion Fine <marionfine@amail.com>, Kristina Sutton Ermers
<KristinaSuttonErmers@gmail.com>, "lindnerflmuc@aol.com" <lindnerflmuc@aol.com>, Michael Panagis
<moanaois@mac.com>, Elena <elenacarissimo@mac.com>, "christooher.mellor@tesca.ng" <Christopher.Mellor@tesco.net>,
"aeoraeandkaren10@amaiLcom" <georgeandkaren10@gmaiI.com>, nickventura@comcast.net. "EEDENHA@aol.com"
<eedenha@aoI.com>, "i.rollins@hotmail.com" <jLrollins@hotmail.com>, Shelley O'Hare <shellevohare@vahco.com>, miguel
neumann <neumannmiouel@vahoo.com>, "Robert J. Denton" <ridenton479@gmaiLcom>, christine s martinez@vahoo.com, Jeff
& Lindsey Jones <drerossen@earthlink.net>, "xcimsx@aol.com" <xcimsx@aol.com>, "aircraftem@aol.com"
<Aircraftem@aoLmm>, "lames malone@att.net" <James malone@att.net>, Janet Beddia <tibeddia@bellsouth.net>, David
Prusakowski <endoboca@amaiLcom>, Jerry Clippinger <jerry@anAhinainfence.com>, sharon@anythinginfence.com.
iamiemarra@aol.com. "abennettdelrav@comcast.net" <abennettdelrav@comcast.net>, "traciesafwat@AOL.com"
<traciesafwat@aol.com>, gall <SJRGAO@bellsouth.net>, spen72648@aol.com. "mortmillerl@msn.com"
<mortmillerl@msn.com>, olaceausoleil@vahoo.com, paul tinsley <eptinsley@hotmaiLcom>, Robert Dudley
<docdud@gmaiLcom>, Brianwdudlev@vahoo.com. "molyneub@bellsouth.net" <molyneub@bellsouth.net>, "WMCFL@AOL.com"
<WMCFL@aol.com>, Edward Slominski <EdwardPSlominski@vahoo.com>, "seabrzdelr@AOL.com" <seabrzdelr@aol.com>,
mneyexoert@aol.com. SSG0904@aol.com. JAMS@optonline.net, dfr99@hotmaiLcom. Priscilla Ross <pbehneross@amaiLcom>,
"fsalvatore58@amaiLcom" <fsalvatore58@amaiLcom>, "amnetcomm@aol.com" <amnetcomm@aol.com>,
"eslmd@medicalcvbernetics.com" <eslmd@medicalcybernetics.com>, "hi)@)assetorotectionattornevs.com"
<hr) @assetorotectionattornevs.com>, "'onathaniohnson@deloitte.com" <jonathaniohnson@deloitte.com>, "drmel2000@aol.com"
<drmel2000@aol.com>, "vermafl@amaiLcom" <vermafl amaiLcom>, scottcampbell@hotmaiLcom
Benjjreynolds@aol.com
1 of 10 6/22/2016 3:32 PM
.wd: Place Au Soleil will now pay for Undergrounding and new ......
Like to have all the facts..........
https://mail.gulf-stream.org/owa/#viewmodel=ReadMessageItem&I...
Ben, here are the facts. (you can get morefacts by asking to inspect the public records in Town Hall)
Quotes by Town leaders and consultants:
(first claiming Place Au Soleil will NOT pay - then 3 weeks ago deciding Place An Soleil will pay)
11-13-09 Commission Meeting
GSCA Ganger:
Place Au Soleil already has buried utilities.
04-09-10 Commission Meeting
Town Manager Thrasher:
says this is a special assessment rather than a general obligation;
suggests straw ballot or referendum to determine favorability of (effected) residents;
no residents in Place An Soleil will have to nay for this:
Cone Orthwein:
they are doing a special assessment because some residents already have underground utilities;
those residents that eet it will pay for it:
05-14-10 Commission Meeting
Town Manager Thrasher:
residents will Pay only for the benefit received.
methodology assessment musty be legally sufficient; it will be tailored and specific to each property.
the Town wants to know the benefits each property receives.
09-10-10 Commission Meeting
Town Manager Thrasher:
majority ofstraw ballots returned will decide issue. (no one in Place Au Soleil was allowed to vote)
11-18-10 ARPB Meeting
Board Member Ganger.-
of
anger:
of 10 6/22/2016 3:32 PM
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cost of undergrounding will be different for each resident; residents will vote on the basis of their
individual "not -to -exceed" cost.
Board Member Smith:
when consultants will present information on equitable sharing of the cost ofundergrounding; Town wants
residents to know exactly what they are voting for.
12-10-10 Commission Meeting
Consultant Evitt.
assessment methodology allows Town to legally assess properties accordingly; develop a nexus between
special benefits and general benefits.
cost of the undergrounding is assessed on special benefits; properties will only be assessed on special
benefits assigned to then[.
subdivision on the other side o(Intracoastal (Place A« Soleil) will not be involved in this Proiect.
residents will only be assessed for whatever affects their individual property.
Consultant Schoettle-Gumm:
outlines process for imposing special assessments against properties subject to the special assessments.
preliminary ballotprocess is optional but chosen by Town.
Town adopts Resolution No. 010-8 - Straw Ballot on project and special assessment on Gulf Stream Island properties
only.
01-14-11- Commission Meeting
Then Mayor Koch:
developer Bob Reed (paid for the) underrrounded utilities in Place Au Soleil prior to development
Then Com. Anderson:
developer paid the entire cost of undergrounding in Place Aa Soleil.
02-04-11 Commission Meeting
GSCA Ganger:
three quarters ofcost for undergrounding is on public property, one quarter on private Property.
04-28-11 Special Meeting
Consultant Isaac:
cost ofproject will be apportioned to properties based on the special benefits ofimproved safety, reliability
and aesthetics.
some specific costs to some properties will be charged to that parcel and not shared by all; explains
Equivalent Benefit Unit Methodology (EBL!).
3 of 10 6/22/2016 3:32 PM
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Consultant Schoettle-Gumm:
https:Hmail.gulf-stream.org/owa/#viewmodel=ReadMessageItem&I...
benefits are used to allocate cost to each parcel.
courts determined that special benefits justify assessment methodology.
special assessments onlyvalid ifimprovements Provide special benefits and costs are fairly apportioned.
Place An Soleil is excluded from the proiect because their utilities have already been undemrounded
therefore ad valorem option is not available to Gulf Stream for this project.
Attorney Nolan (representing condominium owners):
non -ad valorem special assessment statute is to payfor projects that benefit one part of a community and
do not benefit another part.
Place An Soleil created a special district and not Part of her numbers.
non -ad valorem special assessment as created by statute to pay for capital projects that only benefit a
portion of a community Only the beneficiaries pay.
Town adopts Ordinance 01112 authorizing non -ad valorem assessments (Is' reading).
Town hires Mark Raymond as Financial Advisor/Bond Counsel
Town approves agreement with PBC Property Appraiser and PBC Tax Collector related to assessment and collection of
non -ad valorem billing and collection.
05-13-11 Commission Meeting
Town Attorney Randolph:
Place An Soleil is exchided from the Proiect as their facilities are already buried: receives no benefit from
undengrounding; it would be unfair to levy an ad valorem tax on Place Au Soleil because they receive no benefi
from theyroiect:
Ordinance 01112 is adopted on 2"d reading. Providingfor development and consideration ofnon-ad valorem special
assessment.
Resolution 011-9 is adopted. Callingforpublic hearing to impose special assessments for undergrounding.
Resolution 011-10 is adopted. Expressing intent to reimburse prior general find expenditures from bond proceeds.
06-30- 11 Special Commission Meeting Board of Equalization
Consultant Schoettle-Gumm:
Place Aug Soleil was not included because their utilities were already undereround and world not benefit
from the proiect,
project provides special benefit to certain properties; cost ofthe project must be allocated to those
properties; non -ad velorem funding method necessary otherwise Town could not exclude Place All Soleil from
this project.
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three major special benefits to properties are improved safety, reliability and aesthetics.
Consultant Isaac:
Town can't use ad valorem assessment because it could be challenged as to whether it is a fair allocation
of benefit.
Town approves Resolution 011-11 authorizing non -ad valorem special assessments and confirming intention to issue
special assessment bonds.
Town approves Resolution 011-12 authorizing borrowing $5.5 million to finance the cost of the project. Providing that
debt shall not be a general obligation but shall be payable onlyfrom special assessments. (This loan was never made.)
08-28-12 Special Commission Meeting
Bond Attorney Raymond:
the amount of the assessment equals the amount of the loan. Failure to collect an assessment on time would
result in a short fall that would be subsidized by the eeneral (md and the General Fund would be repaid by a
completed fax certificate process (Town would May General Fund payments to cover shortfall by going after
delinquent non -ad valorem taxes). Bond Attorney testified that shortfall will be temporarily paid by the General
Fund then the no -ad valorem tax payers will pay it back to the General Fund)
the assessments levied last year was enoueh to pay for the cost of the proiect: this loan is for that assessment
amount minus the amount ofthe prepayments.
in orderfor the loan to be tax exempt, Town must enter a binding commitment for 5% ofloan ($130,000) within
six months.
Town Manager Thrasher:
a contingency of $600,000 to $700,000 is built into the estimate.
Town approves Resolution 012-7 authorizing a ten year loan for $2,427.895.44 to close on Sept. 6.
(2012 Town did not obtain $5.5 million loan because project was delayed. Town used prepaid special assessment money in
addition to loans from General Obligation Fund to finance undergrounding to date. The loan for $2.4 million is to repay the money
from the General Fund and pay for the remainder of the 2 phase project. All money spent to date plus this loan equals the total
amount of special assessment.)
05-13-16 Commission Meeting
Town Manager Thrasher:
The undergrounding ofthe Wilco quote is $510.000 over budget... Comcast is $61,000 (over budget)/or a
5 of 10 6/22/2016 3:32 PM
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total of$571,000 (over budget) as of this date.
https:Hmail.gulf--stream.org/owa/#viewmodel=ReadMessageltem&I...
We stated early on there would be no additional assessment. (no record of this)
So at that time, we thought there might be an overage. (no record of this - see $400,000 to $700,000
contingency built into original estimate)
In order to complete the project you have to take fitnds from the General Fund.
Mayor Margan:
And AT&Ts (quote) we don? have.
The overage will comefrom the General Fund. There will not be a special assessment or (non -ad
velorem) tar to pay for it.
Initially the residents that were affected by the undergrounding were the ones assessed for it...that cost
increased.
The benefit of the undergrounding is to the benefit of the entire Town (opposite of conclusions reached by
consultants when project was being "sold to the voters)... it would seem reasonable that the (entire) Town make
nip the overage... rather than reauthorizing legally the assessments of the affectedpeople.
The balk of the ad valorem is coming from the residents really experiencing the benefit afthat
undergrounding.
Com. Orthwein:
We assessed people it was going to affect
Place An Soleil was undergrounded from the start (privately paid for by the developer of PAS)
Very important as a Town weftnish this project
this is the only way we can do it...
Undergrounding Assessment Analysis
Gulf Stream held a straw ballot exclusively among residents on the east side of the Intracoastal Waterway to determine
if they wanted to pay for burying utility wires. Consultants to the Town determined, and the Town concurred that only some
residents would receive special benefits from the project and only those residents would pay for the project. The Town
specifically excluded all properties which are located on the west side of the Intracoastal Waterway in Place Au Soleil from
the vote and the funding. The ballot was approved. Town hired consultants to create a special assessment methodology which
determined the value (and payment obligation) of each property's special benefit from the project.
The assessments were calculated so that each affected property owner was assessed a share of the total cost of the two
phased project proportionate to each property's "special benefit;" total cost included an $800,000 contingency in case of
overruns. A non -ad valorem tax was assessed against each benefiting property to be collected by the county on behalf of the
Town. Town hired a bond broker to secure funding to pay for the ongoing project. The Bond was obtained under the condition
it would be serviced exclusively from the proceeds of the non -ad valorem special assessment tax. The Bond was obtained to
pay for the actual project and to reimburse the Town for all initial payments made from the General Fund for engineering,
surveying, consultants, legal fees and other costs incurred by the Town prior to collecting any assessments.
The project is behind schedule and over budget in excess of the special assessment. The Town has decided to cover the
shortfall with funds from the General Fund thereby obligating residents in Place Au Soleil to pay for this project.
of 10 6/22/2016 3:32 PM
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Place Au Soleil residents were excluded from voting in the straw ballot and, by admission of the Town and the Town's
own consultants, properties located in Place Au Soleil received neither special benefits nor general benefits from this project.
The Town decided on May 13, 2016 that it intends to enter into contract with Wilco Electric, FPL and Comcast to
complete the first and second phase of the project. The Town now claims properties in Place Au Soleil are generally
benefiting from the project and the Town will NOT solely assess only properties with special benefits as before but will now
pay for the unfinished portion of this project with money from the General Fund (money from taxpayers in Place Au Soleil).
Florida Statute requires that when a non -ad valorem bond is to be paid by special assessment; it can't also be paid from
the General Fund.
FS 170.11 bonds which are issued to payforspecial assessments shall not be a general obligation ofthe city, but shall
be payable solely out ofsaid assessments.
In contradiction to Florida Statute, rather than make an additional special assessment against the benefiting properties to
cover the shortfall the Town is using the General Fund to pay the shortfall.
FS 170.14 ifthe governing authority of a municipality shall have omitted to make such assessment when it might have
done so, then it shall take all necessary steps to cause a new assessment to be made for the whole or any part of any
improvement or against any property benefited by any improvement,...
On Fri, Jun 3, 2016 at 10:36 AM, <Benlireynolds@aol.com> wrote:
Like to have all the facts..........
In a message dated 6/3/2016 10:35:42 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, pinegdCalomail.com writes:
Julio,
Your comments are thoughtful and your offer to "share the voice" of other residents to the Commission is
generous.
However, I feel very strongly that if any resident wishes to make their opinions known to our Town leaders they will
be better served by doing it directly rather than through the filter (however well spoken) of someone else.
During the Ad Hoc Committee meetings Mr. Thrasher said he only received letters from three Place Au Soleil
residents about changing the Town code. Mr. Thrasher dismissed those few letters and said they were, "Hardly a
representation of how the entire neighborhood feels." Mr. Thrasher opined that the silence of residents was in fact
an endorsement of Town policies. Then he went on to stiffen the Town code against Place Au Soleil.
If you can't attend a meeting the best alternative is to send a letter or email to the Town and request your
comments be read to the Commission (not just placed into the record) during the Public Comment portion of the
next Town Commission meeting. That is the procedure the Town has followed in the past and the only way I know
of to be sure each Commissioner knows how you feel.
Town Manager William Thrasher (bthrasherna oulf-stream.org)
Mayor Scott Morgan (smoraan(ftulf-stream.ora)
Vice Mayor Robert Ganger (raancer gulf-stream.org)
Joan Orthwein (jorthwein@gulf-stream.org)
7 of 10 6/22/2016 3:32 PM
wd: Place An Soleil will now pay for Undergrounding and new ...... https://mail.gulf-stream.org/owa/#viewmodel=ReadMessageltem&1...
Thomas Stanley (tstanlev(a)gulf-stream.org)
Donna S. White (dwhite(a)gulf-stream.org)
On Thu, Jun 2, 2016 at 11:44 PM, Julio Martinez <Immp1059(a)vahoo.com> wrote:
Looking forward to attending the upcoming town meeting June 10th. If I could be of any help sharing
your voice if unable to attended the meeting please fell free to call me 561-523-8881 or email at
immpl059(a)vahoo.com every voice and opinion counts. We all have a lot invested in our homes and
community but most important my neighbors all of you is why I live in Gulf Stream. When we all put our
best foot forward our voice will be heard and most important we will come up with the best outcome.
We can make a difference together!
Julio Martinez
Sent from my iPhone
On Jun 2, 2016, at 9:36 PM, Chet Snavely <ccsnavely(a)aol.com> wrote:
Ingrid,
Good information for everybody. NEXT COMMISSION MEETING IS JUNE 10th at 9:00 am.
I am out of town and cannot attend:however, I URGE EVERYONE WHO CAN MAKE IT PLEASE BE
THERE.
Chet Snavely
Sent from Chet Snavely
On Jun 1, 2016, at 6:48 PM, ILKccim(d),aol.com wrote:
Please consider checking on the website for Town Meetings
http://www.gulf-stream.org/events/
and either attend or talk with our representatives:
Town Hall Contacts:
• Town Manager William Thrasher (bthrasher@gulf-stream.org)
Town Commission:
• Mayor Scott Morgan (smorgan gulf-stream.om)
• Vice Mayor Robert Ganger (rganger(d),gulf-stream.org)
• Joan Orthwein (iorthwein(g7gulf-stream.org)
• Thomas Stanley (tstanlevCc gulf-stream.org)
• Donna S. White (dwhite@gulf-stream.org)
Follow along on Agendas:
http://www2.qulf-stream.org/weblink/Browse.aspx?dbid=O
& Minutes:
of 10 6/22/2016 3:32 PM
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http://www2.qulf-stream.org/weblink/Browse.aspx?dbid=O
& YouTube Videos of Meetings:
http://wv,rw2.qulf-stream.org/weblink/Browse.aspx?dbid=O
The Town Website has lots of useful information.
Be involved in your Government. Get the facts.
Sincerely,
Ingrid Kennemer
In a message dated 6/1/2016 2:40:17 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, pinegdliDgmail.com writes:
I generally resist sharing the bad news out of Town Hall with my neighbors but this latest
indignity should be considered by all residents of Place Au Soleil.
During the last Town Hall meeting the Commission voted to stick Place Au Soleil with the
bill for work that they originally said would be paid for only by property owners on the
island side of Town.
This switch in thinking was apparently due to east side property owners telling town
leaders they would not tolerate another special assessment to pay for the Town's
screwed up undergrounding project.
The Mayor and Commissioners have done an about face from their earlier claims that
only those who benefited by this project would have to pay for the project. Place Au Soleil
residents were off the hook until this past meeting.
Despite my objections and the cautious inquiry of Commissioner White about this change,
Commissioner Ganger (this was originally his idea), Mayor Morgan, and Commissioners
Orthwein, White and Stanley unanimously voted to stick Place Au Soleil with this bill.
You can read the sugar coated version in the Coastal Star at:
http://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/gulf-stream-utilities-project-gets-new-
head-of-steam
My online published comments follow:
The Town had many many meetings where Town leaders and the Giilf Stream Civic
Association "sold" us on the idea that this project did not benefit the entire Town but
rather had only "special benefits"for some residents and not others. The Town levied
a non -ad valorem tax assessment against those residents instead of spreading the cost
over ALL residents with an ad valorem tax based on property values. The Town
figured this was the only way it could win the straw ballot and get the project
approved by the voters.
9 of 10 6/22/2016 3:32 PM
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Condo owners realized they were being disproportionately taxed for this project;
some paying almost as much as nearby estates worth 10 to 20 times more than their
tiny condominium apartment was worth. The condo owners complained. The Town
hired expensive consultants who concocted a Special Assessment
Methodoloey "proving condo owners should pay more. In tnue character the Town
told these owners, "This project has special benefits, not general benefits so screw
you — your paying. "
Now, miracle of miracles, the Town has decided the project has general benefits after
all. So now ALL residents will be stuck with the bill for the Town's mismanagement
and the project's overnms. And that "special benefits" rational used to bully the
condo owners into paying too much? That has now morphed into a "general
benefits " rational being used to bully the residents of Place Au Soleil into paying at
all.
Why shouldn Y Place Au Soleil residents pay anyway? In order to "sell" the non -ad
valorem tax Town leaders, Town consultants, Town attorneys and the GufStream
Civic Association all claimed correctly Place Au Soleil already has buried utilities
paid for by the residents — they were not benefiting by this work being done only on
the rich side of the waterway.
Is this the next giant lawsuit for Gulf Stream? Town leaders should reconsider their
actions. Either abolish the special assessment, return the non -ad valorem money to
residents and pay for the project from General Funds OR go back to all those
residents who the Town claims received "special benefits ", tax them again for the
shortfall and leave Place Au Soleil out of it.
0 of 10 6/22/2016 3:32 PM
Fwd: PAS paying for underground utility costs - Donna White https://mail.gulf-stream.org/owa/#viewmodel=ReadMessageItem&I...
Fwd: PAS paying for underground utility costs
Donna White <pasodonna@gmail.com>
Fri 6/3/2016 6:56 PM
TaDonna White <DWhite@gulf-stream.org>;
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Donna White <pasodonna@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, Jun 2, 2016 at 8:42 PM
Subject: Fwd: PAS paying for underground utility costs
To: dwhite@aulf-stream.orci
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Edward Slominski <edwardpslominski@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, Jun 2, 2016 at 8:36 PM
Subject: Re: PAS paying for underground utility costs
To: "drmel2000@aoLcom" <drmel2000@aol.com>
Cc: "SEABRZDELR@aol.com" <SEABRZDELR@aol.com>, "hermanstevensjr@aol.com" <hermanstevensjr@aol.com>,
"eslmd@medicalcybernetics.com" <eslmd@medicalcybernetics.com>, "brianwdudlev@vahoo.com" <brianwdudlgy@yahoo.com>,
"eptinsley@hotmaiLcom" <eotinsley@hotmaiLcom>, "endoboca@omail.com" <endoboca@amail.com>,
"christine s martinez@yahoo.com" <christine s martinez@yahoo.com>, "elenacarissmo@mac.com" <elenacarissmo@mac.com>,
"chris1moreno3@amaiLcom" <chris1moreno3@amail.com>, "beckphd@gmail.com" <beckphd@gmail.com>,
"bob@lauahneroatel.com" <bob@lauahnerpatel.com>, "ampilive@hotmail.com" <amoilive@hotmaiLcom>,
"ffirussoll@gmaiLcom" <flrussoll@amail.com>, "hilance@aol.com" <hilance@aol.com>,"hp@assetorotectionattorneys.com"
<hp@assetprotectionattorneys.com>, "jerrv@anvthinainfence.com" <jerry anythinoinfence.com>, "nickventura@comcast.net"
<nickventura@comcast.net>, "marionfine@gmail.com" <marionfine@amaiLcom>, "mpanaois@mac.com"
<mmoanaais@mac.com>, "kristinasuttonermers@gmaiLcom" <kristinasuttonermers@amail.com>, "neumannmiauel@vahoo.com"
<neumannmiauel@vahoo.com>, "dfr99@hotmaiLcom" <dfr990hotmail.com>, "placeausoleil@yahoo.com"
<olaceausoleil@vahoo.com>, "pbehneross@amaiLcom" <pbehngross@amail.com>, "tibeddia@bellsouth.net"
<t beddia@bellsouth.net>, "scottcamobell@hotmaiLcom" <scottcampbell@hotmail.com>, "ssa0904@aol.com"
<sso09O4@aol.com>, "sharon@an hinainfence.com" <sharon@anythinginfence.com>, "sbovd@cbsl2.com"
<sbovd@cbsl2.com>, "rick.ireland55@gmaiLcom" <rick.ireland550amaiLcom>, "diananassau@yahoo.com"
<diananassau@vahoo.com>, "fames malone@att.net" <Iames malone@att.net>, "molvneub@bellsouth.net"
<molvneub@bellsouth.net>, "ji.rollins@hotmail.com" <ii.rollins@hotmail.com>, "sandy52300aol.com" 4sandv5230@aoLcom>,
"Traciesafwat@aol.com" <Traciesafwat@aoLcom>, "drerossen@earthlink.net" <drerossen@earthlink.net>,
"rdittman@bellsouth.net" <rdittman@bellsouth.net>, "docdud@amaiLcom" <docdud@amaiLcom>,
"georgeandkaren10@gmaiLcom" <georaeandkarenl0@amaiLcom>, "jonathanjohnson@deloitte.com"
<jonathanjohnson@deloitte.com>, "pasodonna@gmaiLcom" <pasodonna@amaiLcom>, "ianet.rireland@gmaiLcom"
<ianet.rJreland@amaiLcom>, "auausto.titarelli@amaiLcom" <augusto.titarelli@omail.com>, "spen72648@aol.com"
<soen726480aol.com>, "amnetcomm@aoLcom" <amnetcomm@aoLcom>, "aircraftem@aol.com" <aircraftem@aolccm>,
"flrose@optionline.net" <flrose@ootionline.net>, "EEDENHA@aol.com" <EEDENHA@aol.com>, "vermafl@omail.com"
<vermafl@amaiLcom>, "crykie5@amaiLcom" <crvkie5@amaiLcom>, "abennettdelray@comcast.net"
<abennettdelray@comcast.net>, "honor04290yahoo.com" <honor0429@vahoo.com>, "JAM5@optionline.net"
<JAM5@optionline.net>, "jmmo1059@yahoo.com" <jmmp1059@yahoo.com>, "TKC Enaineerina@roadrunnercom"
<TKC Enaineerina@roadrunner.cam>, "christopher.mellor@tesco.net" <christophermellor@tesco.net>,
1 of 3 6/22/2016 3:33 PM
'wd: PAS paying for underground utility costs - Donna White https:Hmail.gulf--stream.org/owa/#viewmodel=ReadMessageItem&I...
"ozmeister7l@hotmail.com" <ozmeister71@hotmail.com>, "ilkccim@aol,com" <ilkccim@aol.com>, "wmcfl@aol.com"
<wmcfl@aol.com>, "shelleyohare@yahoo.com" <shelleyohare@yahoo.com>, "ccsnavely@aol.com" <ccsnavely@aol.com>,
"siraao@bellsouth.net" <siraaa@bellsouth.net>, "lindnerflmuc@aol.com" <lindnerflmuc@aol.com>, "fsalvatore58@amail.com"
<fsa1vatore58@gmai1.mm>, "xcimsx@aol.com" <xcimsx@aol.com>, "malcmurphhv@hotmail.com" <malcmurphy@hotmail.com>,
"beniirevnolds@aol.com" <benjjreynolds@aol.com>, "carlinoc@bellsouth.net" <carlinoc@bellsouth.net>, "jamiemarra@aol.com"
<iamiemarra@aol.com>, "dachartung@ayahoo.com" <dachartung@yahoo.com>, "newbob88@me.com" <newbob88@me.com>,
"mneyexpert@aol.com" <mnevexoert@aol.com>, "ridenton4790gmail.com" <rjdenton479@gmail.com>, "swordout@aol.com"
<swordout@aoI.com>, "mortmillerl@msn.com" <mortmillerl@msn.com>, "zbruker@carecloud.com" <zbruker@carecloud.com>
Hence we should turn them out this group has largely had an unaccountable long leash, time to yank it. Otherwise we will be the
folks that pay for the sins of the past and their incompetence. Ask yourself do they really deserve your trust ? RECALL H
Sent from my iPhone
On Jun 2, 2016, at 8:12 PM, drmel2000@aol.com wrote:
The real issue here is trust. We don't trust our officials and leaders anymore. What a shame.
Sent from my iPhone
On Jun 2, 2016, at 10:45 AM, Edward Slominski <edwardoslominski@vahoo.com> wrote:
Dianne right on and as much the governance of covering up poor decisions by moving money around has got to stop. Some
people need to be sent home, remember rid at the next election. Maybe it is time for Donna to stop voting with the island
"block".
Sent from my iPhone
On Jun 2, 2016, at 8:55 AM, SEABRZDELR@aol.com wrote:
To All PAS Residents:
Please see the attached news article that was in the Coastal newsletter a couple of years ago. This article
indicates that all of Gulf Stream taxes were increased to replenish the town reserves as a result of costs
associated with the underground utility project.
This was a unanimous vote by the town's commissioners. We let them get away with sharing the
underground utility costs with PAS once, via a tax increase, so why not try again.
I brought this issue up at one of the quarterly PAS meetings after reading the news article, but the few
residents who attended, had other issues on their mind—understandably, as there was a lot going on during
that period and very possibly they had not read the article. I was told by Commissioner Donna White that PAS
was absolutely not involved in any of the costs associated with the underground utility project.
Town commissioners must be convinced that PAS residents will not understand that they are paying for the
utility costs as long as they are disguised in the name of water bill and tax increases. It is obvious, they are
desperate to find a solution to the monetary problems the utility project has caused, but we cannot afford to let
PAS homeowners be part of their answer.
Thank you for the e-mails that keep me up to date on PASfrown of GS items, along with resident's concerns
of 3 6/22/2016 3:33 PM
Fwd: PAS paying For underground utility costs - Donna White
and cares.
Respectfully,
Diane M Mulvey
930 Indigo Point
<img042.pdf>
https://mail.gulf-stream.org/owa/#viewmodel=ReadMessageItem&l..
3 of 3 6/22/2016 3:33 PM
Fwd: So what do we do now ........? - Donna White https://mail.gulf-stream.org/owa/#viewmodel=ReadMessageltem&I...
Fwd: So what do we do now ........?
Donna White <pasodonna@gmail.com>
Mon 6/6/2016 12AS PM
To:Donna White <DWhite@gulf-stream.org>;
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Rick <rick.ireland55@amail.com>
Date: Mon, Jun 6, 2016 at 12:04 PM
Subject: Re: So what do we do now .......
To: Charles Carlino <carlinoc@bellsouth.net>
Cc: Edward Slominski <edwardpslominski@yahoo.com>, "drmel2000@aol.com" <drme12000@aol.com>, c o
<pinead@amaiI.com>, "honor0429@vahoo.com" <honor04290yahoo.com>, Frank Russo <firussoll@gmaiLcom>, ROSE
LOCASCIO <flrose@ootonline.net>, herman stevens <hermanstevensjr@aol.com>, Zac Bruker <zbruker@carecloud.com>,
"ozmeister710hotmaiLcom" <ozmeister71@hotmaiLcom>, "ampilive@hotmail.com" <ampilive@hotmail.com>,
"pasodonna@gmaiLcom" <pasodonna@amail.com>, Mary Earnhart <crvkie5@gmail.com>, "Sandy5230@aol.com"
<Sandy5230@aol.com>, "daghartuno@vahoo.com" <daahartuna@vahoo.com>, Augusto Titarelli <augusto.titarelli@gmaiLcom>,
"bob@laughnerpatel.com" <bob@laughnerpatel.com>, "swordout@aol.com" <swordout@aol.com>, tom kubricky
<TKC Enaineerina@roadrunneccom>, Mary Schindlbeck <beckohd@amaiLcom>, "malcmurohv@hotmaiLcom"
<malcmurohv@hotmaiI.com>, "HJLANCE@AOL.com" <HJLANCE@aol.com>, Chris Moreno <chris1moreno3@gmai1.com>, Ingrid
<ILKCCIM@aol.com>, "ianet.cireland@amaiLcom" <janet.rireland@gmaiLcom>, Suzanne Boyd <sbcvd@c1bs12.com>,
"NewBob880me.com" <NewBob880me.com>, Marion Fine <marionfine@gmail.com>, Kristina Sutton Ermers
<KristinaSuttonErmers@gmail.com>, "lindnerflmuc@aol.com" <lindnerflmuc@aoI.com>, Michael Panagis
<mpanaais@mac.com>, Elena <elenacarissimo@mac.com>, "christooher.mellor@tesco.net" <Christopher.Mellor@tesco.net>,
"aeoraeandkarenl00gmail.com" <aeorgeandkaren100amaiLcom>, "nickventura@comcast.net" <nickventura@comcast.net>,
"EEDENHA@aol.com" <eedenha@aol.com>, "ii.rollins@hotmaiLcom" <jj.rollins@hotmaiLcom>, Shelley O'Hare
<shelleyohare@vahoo.com>, miguel neumann <neumannmiguel@yahoo.com>, "Robert J. Denton" <ridenton4790)gmail.com>,
julio martinez <jmmo10590vahoo.com>, "christine s martinez@yahoo.com" <christine s martinez@vahoo.com>, Jeff & Lindsey
Jones <drerossen@earthlink.net>, "xcimsx@aol.com" <xcqmsx@aol.com>, "aircraftem@aol.com" <Aircraftem@aol.com>,
"fames malone@att.net" <James malone@att.net>, Janet Beddia <tibeddia@bellsouth.net>, David Prusakowski
<endoboca@amaiLcom>, Jerry Clippinger <jerry@anvthinoinfence.com>, "sharon@an, hinginfence.com"
<sharon@anvthinoinfence.com>, "jamiemarra@aol.com" <Iamiemarra@aoI.ccm>, "abennettdelrav@comcast.net"
<abennettdelrav@comcast.net>, "traciesafwat@AOL.com" <tradesafwat@aol.com>, gail <SJRGAo@bellsouth.net>,
"spen72648@ao1.com" <soen72648@aol.com>, "mortmillerl@msn.com" <mortmillefl@msn.com>, "olaceausoleil@vahoo.com"
<placeausoleil@yahoo.com>, Paul tinsley <eptinslev@hotmail.com>, Robert Dudley <docdud0gmai1.com>,
"beniirevnolds@aol.com" <benjjreynolds@aol.com>, "BrianwdudlevDvahoo.com" <Brianwdudley@yahoo.com>,
"molvneub@bellsouth.net" <molyneub@bellsouth.net>, "WMCFL@AOL.com" <WMCFL@aol.com>, "seabrzdelr@AOLcom"
<seabrzdelr@aol.com>, "mneyexi3ert@aol.com" <mneyexoert@aol.com>, "SSG0904@aol.com" <SSG0904@aol.com>,
"JAMS@ootonline.net' <JAMS@optonline.net>, "dfr99@hotmaiLcom<dfr99@hotmaiLcom>, Priscilla Ross
<pbehneross@gmaiLcom>, "fsalvatore58@gmaiLcom" <fsalvatore58@gmaiLcom>, "amnetcomm@aol.com"
<amnetcomm@aol.com>, "eslmd@medicalcvbemetics.com" <esimd@medicalcybernetics.com>,
"hp@assetprotectionattorneys.com"<hp@assetorotectionattornevs.com>, "ionathanjohnson@deloitte.com"
<jonathaniohnson@deloitte.com>, "vermaMarnail.com" <vermafl@amaiLcom>, "scottcampbell@hotmaiLcom"
<scottcamobell@hotmaiLcom>, Chet SNAVELY <ccsnavelv@aol.com>
So far Janet and I have been silent but we agree that we all need to stand together on this. Rick Ireland
1 of 6 6/22/2016 3:33 PM
wd: So what do we do now ........? - Donna White https://mail.gulf-stream.org/owa/ftviewmodel=ReadMessagettem&l...
Sent from my Phone
On Jun 6, 2016, at 10:04 AM, Charles Carlino <carlinoc(albellsouth.net> wrote:
Thank you Ed,
When you are set, please let us know.
Charles F. Carlino
On Sunday, June 5, 2016 11:57 PM, Edward Slominski <edwardpslominski(a)vahoo.com> wrote:
First and foremost we need to demonstrate to Town Hall that as a community we are not in
agreement with any plan that moves the burden of poor planning and overuns solely onto
PAS. There are a number of reasons that our town leaders have decided to make this play
and it is about time some hard questions are posed. Further, this current problem has a
greater cause than just the mismanagement by our town manager over this project. It runs
into the cavalier management( i.e. reallocation of water fee increases for other purposes) of
the entire town budget with respect to other misadventures many in the town want stopped.
Our Mayor has a very arrogant view as to his mandates and demonstrates he has a very
entitled view as to his "rule ". I would like to suggest to all of you to stop being viewed as a
small group of troublemakers and realize we all must make our voice heard. Failing that we
will once again be put off by a rubber stamp 5-0 vote.
So here is what I Suggest :
1 A meeting to formulate a response to the town council reflective of the response(s) in this
stream to date. WE NEED your active participation in person or in writing.
2 From that meeting a formal response to the council letting them know we will not placidly
sit by and allow this improper levy to take place without consequence.
3 A formal request to the County Inspector General to audit/review the governance and fiscal
spending decisions of the current town council
4 An assessment of a recall vote of Mayor Morgan and others or at the very least a demand
for his resignation as he has proven his temperament for office lacks the equanimity we
should expect.
5. A communication to ALL Gulfstream residents that the current fiscal management/
problem resolution by our town council is not in our best interests as property owners and
that we all run the risk of seeing the town spiral into insolvency. As such, a communication
that makes clear last year a number of very smart residents from all of Gulfstream warned of
this very type of result if Mayor Morgan persisted in his personal crusade and unaffordable
expensive prosecution of the Ohare/Oboyle lawsuits.
In conclusion let's bring together much of the temperament displayed in this stream and
undertake the right type of civic minded problem resolution these issues demand.
I will gladly host a meeting on or after the 21 st. Please reach out to every neighbor/ friend in
Gulfstream to keep the dialog dynamic. I hope to see a positive affirmative response.
of 6 6/22/2016 3:33 PM
Fwd: So what do we do now ........? - Donna White https://mail.gulf-stream.org/owa/#viewmodel=ReadMessageltem&l...
With sincere concern
Ed&Joyce Slominski
Sent from my iPhone
On Jun 2, 2016, at 8:03 PM, drme12000(cDaol.com wrote:
Just a reminder: WE are the town, and we must act like it. Time to stop talking and DO
something.
Melanie Bazarte
On Jun 2, 2016, at 12:33 PM, Edward Slominski <edwardpslominski(o�yahoo.com> wrote:
Maybe we should be looking at a recall vote. The last turn out was about 450. We would only
need 10 % of that morgan may just resign to avoid embarrassment it would give us
leverage to get another person on the town council I propose Julio
Sent from my iPhone
On Jun 2, 2016, at 8:24 AM, c o <pinegd(cDgmail.com> wrote:
I don't know why Place Au Soleil is being singled out for this kind of treatment. Unlike the
rich side of town, our neighborhood can't have privacy fences over 6' high unless they are
blocked from view by a hedge; 75% of ALL plants and hedges located between the front of
your home and the road must be no taller than 3 feet. Many of the beautiful homes on the
east side of Town aren't allowed to be built in Place Au Soleil because they are not
"compatible" with our neighborhood (the Town is the ultimate decider of what is
compatible). And now the Town is about to pass new regulations further restricting 2nd
stories in Place Au Soleil.
I lived in the middle of the east side of Gulf Stream for over 10 years and in Place Au Soleil
for the past 5. Things are very different here. I talked to many neighbors who have shared
their horror stories with me about an overreaching Town, overzealous code enforcement
and an abusive Town Manager. How many of you have similar stories you just keep to
yourself?
I reached my breaking point in October 2011 when Officer Ginsberg trespassed into my
home. My complaint about that resulted in a nightmare of Town retaliation including
selective code enforcement and frivolous lawsuits by the Town. I was even prosecuted for
planting lady palms in my yard (plants that were a gift to me by the late Mayor Koch). I
knew this wasn't right and I was determined to get to the bottom of it all. I attend most
every Town meeting; I got involved; asked questions in person at meetings and by email; I
requested to inspect a lot of public records and discovered things that led me to ask for
3 of 6 6/22/2016 3:33 PM
wd: So what do we do now ........? - Donna White https://mail.gulf-stream.org/owa/#viewmodel=ReadMessagettem&l...
even more public records. I discovered that the Town plays very loose with the rules. The
"book" is thrown at some residents while others can act with impunity. The private clubs in
Town get huge tax breaks while they violate Town code daily. The Town ignores many
state and federal statutes. If you have ever been before the ARPB or the Commission
seeking approval of a building application you know that their personal design opinions are
the determining factor and not the vague regulations in the Town code.
The Town does not like this kind of scrutiny. The Town waged a media campaign to portray
all my efforts as abusive; convince many of my neighbors that I was the problem - not
Town leaders; lied under oath in Federal Court; even sued me for RICO in an attempt to
make me go away (Mayor Morgan's own words). This was devastating to me and
destroyed my family but also hardened my resolve.
Town leaders have been emboldened to act like this because no one complains to them.
The Coastal Star sugar coats their behavior while Island residents cheer them on at public
meetings. Our own neighborhood Commissioner Donna White says nary a word and votes
in lock step with the Mayor. There is no dissent to keep their abuses in check. This latest
abusive decision to shift the burden to pay for the undergrounding project onto the
residents of Place Au Soleil is directly due to the squeaky wheel getting the grease; east
side residents voiced their opinion and Place Au Soleil residents didn't. If you are unhappy
with Town leaders it is not enough to only complain to your neighbors.
Our property taxes have nearly doubled since Mayor Koch died just a few years ago. As
high as they are now I predict they will double again in the next few years. I am not happy
about this. I have three home in Place Au Soleil and I want low taxes just like everybody
else. But I choose to not just complain to neighbors when I see this kind of bad behavior; I
am doing something about it - at great personal expense. Unfortunately the Town's
expenses are passed on to you.
Chris O'Hare
2520 Avenue Au Soleil
On Wed, Jun 1, 2016 at 5:31 PM, Laura Honor <honor0429(a)yahoo.com> wrote:
I am trying to sell my home on the Avenue side. Values of homes for sale on this side
are dropping dramatically due to economy, homes not being maintained, out of control
rules enforced on residents ie. no metal roof is ridicules in a hurricane prone area.
Excessive water bill fee charges & now an assessments that the residences on this side
will have to incure. I NEVER VOTED ON THIS PROJECT. If mismanagement by town
Officals caused this situation then STOP THE PROJECT NOW! This assessment will
hurt selling these homes even more, to the point that all home values will suffer and be
driven down further. It is time to vote all these town politicians out. I will be glad to join in
any class action suit brought against the town and all Officals involved if they move
forward to systematically devalue our properties or continue to add further hardships.
Sincerely, Dennis Honor 2756 Cardinal Cir.
of 6 6/22/2016 3:33 PM
Fwd: So what do we do now ........? - Donna White https://mail.gulf-stream.org/owa/#viewmodel=ReadMessageltem&I...
Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
On Wed, Jun 1, 2016 at 2:45 PM, Edward Slominski
<edwardpslominski(a_)yahoo.com> wrote:
Let's settle these ridiculous lawsuits and stop the excessive costs our town can
avoid. When will people realize we have I compete governence Thrasher & Morgan
need to go !
Sent from my iPhone
On Jun 1, 2016, at 2:40 PM, c o <pinegd@gmail.com> wrote:
I generally resist sharing the bad news out of Town Hall with my neighbors but this
latest indignity should be considered by all residents of Place Au Soleil.
During the last Town Hall meeting the Commission voted to stick Place Au Soleil
with the bill for work that they originally said would be paid for only by property
owners on the island side of Town.
This switch in thinking was apparently due to east side property owners telling town
leaders they would not tolerate another special assessment to pay for the Town's
screwed up undergrounding project.
The Mayor and Commissioners have done an about face from their earlier claims
that only those who benefited by this project would have to pay for the project.
Place Au Soleil residents were off the hook until this past meeting.
Despite my objections and the cautious inquiry of Commissioner White about this
change, Commissioner Ganger (this was originally his idea), Mayor Morgan, and
Commissioners Orthwein, White and Stanley unanimously voted to stick Place Au
Soleil with this bill.
You can read the sugar coated version in the Coastal Star at:
http://thecoa sta lsta r. co m/profiles/b logs/g u If-strea m-uti lities-project-gets-new-
head-of-steam
My online published comments follow:
The Town had many many meetings where Town leaders and the GulfStrcam Civic Association
"sold" its on the idea that this project did not benefit the entire Town but rather had only
"special benefits "for some residents and not others. The Town levied a non -ad valorem
tax assessment against those residents instead ofspreading the cost over ALL residents with
an ad valorem tax based on property values. The Town figured this was the only way it could
5 of 6 6/22/2016 3:33 PM
'wd: So what do we do now ........? - Donna White https://mail.gulf-stream.org/owa/#viewmodel=ReadMessageltem&I...
win the straw ballot and get the project approved by the voters.
Condo owners realized they were being disproportionately taxed for this project; some paying
almost as much as nearby estates worth 10 to 20 times more than their tiny condominium
apartment was worth. The condo owners complained. The Town hired expensive consultants
who concocted a Special Assessment Methodologx "proving condo owners should pay more. In
tate character the Town told these owners, "This project has special benefits, not general
benefits so screw you —your paying. "
Now, miracle of miracles, the Town has decided the project has general benefits after all. So
now ALL residents will be stuck with the bill for the Town's mismanagement and the project's
overmns. And that "special benefits " rational used to bully the condo owners into paying too
much? That has now morphed into a "general benefits " rational being used to bully the
residents of Place An Soleil into paying at all.
Why shouldn 4 Place Au Soleil residents pay anyway? In order to "sell " the non -ad valorem tax
Town leaders, Town consultants, Town attorneys and the Gulf Stream Civic Association all
claimed correctly Place An Soleil already has buried utilities paid for by the residents — they
were not benefiting by this work being done only on the rich side of the waterway.
Is this the next giant lawsuit for Gulf Stream? Town leaders should reconsider their actions.
Either abolish the special assessment, return the non -ad valorem money to residents and pay for
the project front General Funds OR go back to all those residents who the Town claims received
"special benefits ", tax them again for the shortfall and leave Place Au Soleil out of it.
of 6 6/22/2016 3:33 PM
Fwd: The Barrier Island Undergrounding Project and PAS - Donna ... https://mail.gulf-stream.org/owa/#viewmodel=ReadMessageltem&I...
Fwd: The Barrier Island Undergrounding Project and PAS
Donna White <pasodonna@gmail.com>
Mon 6/6/2016 10:16 PM
To:Donna White <DWhite@gulf-stream.org>;
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Edward Slominski <edwardoslominski@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, Jun 6, 2016 at 8:51 PM
Subject: Re: The Barrier Island Undergrounding Project and PAS
To: c o <oinead@gmail.com>
Cc: Donna White <pasodonna@amail.com>, "honor0429@yahoo.com" <honor04290c ahoo.com>, Frank Russo
<flrussoll@amaiLcom>, ROSE LOCASCIO <flrose@ootonline.net>, herman stevens <hermanstevensir@aol.com>, Zac Bruker
<zbruker@carecloud.com>, "ozmeister7l@hotmaiLcom" <ozmeister7l@hotmail.com>, "amoilive@hotmaiLcom"
<amoilive@hotmaiLcom>, Charles Carlino <carlinoc@bellsouth.net>, Mary Earnhart <crvkie50Qamail.com>,
"Sandy5230@aol.com" <Sandv5230@aol.com>, "daahartung@yahoo.com" <daahartuna@yahoo.com>, Augusto Titarelli
<auausto.titarelli@gmail.com>, "bob@Iauohneroatel.com" <bo1b0Iauahnerpate1.com>, "swordout@aol.com"
<swordout@aol.com>, tom kubricky <TKC Engineering(Mroadrunnercom>, Mary Schindlbeck <beckphd@gmail.com>,
"malcmurohy@hotmaiLcom" <malcmumhv@hotmail.com>, "HJLANCE@AOLcom" <HJLANCE@aol.com>, Chris Moreno
<chris1moreno3@amaiLcom>, Ingrid <ILKCCIM@aol.com>, "ianet.cireland@amaiLcom" <ianet.rireland@amaiI.ccm>, Rick Ireland
<rick.ireland55@amaiLcom>, Suzanne Boyd <sboyd@cbsl2.com>, "NewBob88@me.com" <NewBob88@me.com>, Marion Fine
<marionfine@amaiLcom>, Kristina Sutton Ermers <Kristina5uttonErmers@gmail.com>, "lindnerflmuc@aol.com"
<lindnerflmuc@aol.com>, Michael Panagis <mmoanaois@mac.com>, Elena <elenacarissimo@mac.com>,
"christophecmellor@tesco.net" <Christopher.Mellor@telco.net>, "aeoraeandkarenl0@amail.com"
<aeorgeandkaren10@omaiI.com>, "nickventura@comcast.net" <nickventura@comcast.net>, "EEDENHA@aol.com"
<eedenha@aol.com>, "ii.rollins@hotmaiLcom" <*i.rollins@hotmail.com>, Shelley O'Hare <shellevohare@yahoo.com>, miguel
neumann <neumannmiguel@yahoo.com>, "Robert J. Denton" < jdenton479@amaiLcom>,julio martinez
<immol059@vahoo.com>, "christine s martinez@yahoo.com" <christine s martinez@yahoo.com>, Jeff & Lindsey Jones
<drerossen@earthlink.net>, "xcimsx@aol.com" <xcimsx@aoLcom>, "aircraftem@aol.com" <Aircraftem@aol.com>,
"fames malone@att.net" <James malone@att.net>, Janet Beddia <tibeddia@bellsouth.net>, David Prusakowski
<endoboca@amaiLcom>, Jerry Clippinger <ierry@anythinainfence.com>, "sharon@anythinginfence.com"
<sharonivanythinainfence.com>, "iamiemarra@aol.com" <iamiemarra@aol.com>, "abennettdelray@comcast.net"
<abennettdelrav@comcastnet>, "traciesafwat@AOL.mm" <traciesafwat@aol.com>, gall <SJRGA0@bellsouth.net>,
"pen72648@aol.com" <soen72648@aol.com>, "mortmillerl@msn.com" <mortmillerl@msn.com>, "olaceausoleil@yahoo.com"
<placeausoleil@yahoo.com>, Paul tinsley <eotinsley@hotmaiI.com>, Robert Dudley <docdud@gmail.com>,
"beniireynolds@aol.com" <beniirevnolds@aol.com>, "Brianwdudley(&yahoo.com" <Brianwdudley-@yahoo.com>,
"molyneub@bellsouth.net" <molvneub@bellsouth.net>, "WMCFL@AOL.com" <WMCFL@aol.com>, "seabrzdelr@AOLcom"
<seabrzdelr@aol.com>, "mnevexgert@aol.com" <mnevexoert@aol.com>, "SSG0904@aol.com" <SSG0904@aol.com>,
"JAMS@ootonline.net" <JAMS@optonline.net>, "dfr99@hotmaiLcom<dfr99@hotmaiLcom>, Priscilla Ross
<obehneross@omaiI.com>, "fsalvatore58@amail.com" <fsalvatore58@amaiLcom>, "amnetcomm@aol.com"
<amnetcomm@aol.com>, "eslmd@medicalcybernetics.com" <eslmd@medicalcybernetics.com>,
"hp@assetgrotectionattornevs.com"<hh(o)assetorotectionattornevs.com>, "jonathaniohnson@deloitte.com"
<ionathaniohnson@deloitte.com>, "vermafl@omail.com" <vermafl@omail.com>, "scottcampbell@hotmaiLcom"
<scottcamgbell@hotmaiLcom>, Chet SNAVELY <ccsnavely@aol.com>, "cirme120000aol.com" <drmel2000@aol.com>
With all due respect to my good friend and neighbor Brian this dialog is critical to demonstrate to our town council we are paying
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'wd: The Barrier Island Undergrounding Project and PAS - Donna ... https://mail.gulf-stream.org/owa/#viewmodel=ReadMessageltem&I...
attention and they will be held accountable. Yes Brian $ 500 is not much at the end of the day but by their own documented
comments our town officials are playing fast and loose with facts and our money. WHY ?
"Thrasher again demonstrates he is in over his head "
1) Mr Thrasher has regularly not had the command of our town finances you would expect from an individual charged with those
duties. The records bear this out. Further, his schemes to move monies around to satisfy pet projects are now coming home to
roost. Do you remember the 1st upgrade of signage and lights here in PAS which was quickly followed on by replacement of
same. Did that not come with a waste of monies and management time ? I won't belabor the shuffling of monies from the water
revenues to cover legal fees ( fees many in town asked not be spent because they seem to be " unending" and with no
demonstrable resolution in sight).
"Our budget is a free form dynamic idea subject to items never fully or properly disclosed and administered by someone who has
reached his highest level of incompetence. "
2 ) This becomes the heart of the issue Mr Thrasher and the town council have limited " band width" as a result how can a project
the size of the one we are now focused on be properly managed when we are distracted by measuring yard signs and fence
heights. We have a town manager who majors in the minors. Consider that an overage of 600-700k was allotted for, but the' miss
" looks to be approaching $1.2mm or over 20 % over the original approved project. Our town is well populated by senior
corporate leaders/ business owners who would agree and acknowledge that a subordinate in their organizations would be
demoted or terminated with such poor performance.
Mushroom management"
3) Tranparency- just not there. The town council paid an outside consultant a considerable fee to opine on this issue. The towns
own paid consultant told the council that is improper to pass this fee onto PAS .... Nothing worse than paying monies for advice
than not following it !
Donna White a bit late to the party on this one. Only after you and the rest of the council were being asked about why this is
taking place did you feel a need to " educate" us with your elucidation. However, thanks for the effort despite some facts to the
contrary. I hope this will embolden you to push harder on issues and vote accordingly as we have noticed you make some effort
to question the Gang of 4.
"The Town Council is not listening you were asked NOT to raise the millage and you were asked to sit down and negotiate"
4) My constant refrain has been and continues to be what I and those other business owners, attorneys and right thinking
residents have said stop spending monies on this litigation crusade. Let's remember that we are going to spend over $1mm on
this campaign that can be resolved despite Mr Morgan's chauvinistic view would have us all believe. He and others on the board
are too ego invested and wedded to a fight we cannot afford to even sit at the negotiation table and by not doing so the general
fund is being exhausted. All this carping about attending to record requests could have been solved by paying a "temp " to do so
as opposed to spending thousands of dollars - but it plays better to have us all believe poor Rita( a wonderfully competent
person) and her team are being unfairly tasked. Yes they are ! Mr Thrasher act like a manager and spend that money.
"Ask around, better yet have straw vote(s) you will find less support than you believe you have" on the way your spending money.
I and most others want this project to go forward, it is critical long term to the protection of life and property of all our residents,
over time it will pay dividends in a number of ways. As much I want this town to tend to its knitting and not what is good for the
league of cities or what will assuage people who are hard wired to have the " last word".
When people tell you " it's not about the money" well it is !!----yours mine and all the residents of Gulfstream.
Sent from my iPhone
On Jun 6, 2016, at 7:40 PM, c o <pineod@omail.com> wrote:
Ms. White,
of 5 6/22/2016 3:34 PM
Fwd: The Harrier Island Undergrounding Project and PAS - Donna ... https://mail.gulf-stream.org/owa/#viewmodel=ReadMessageltem&I...
Here are the real fads.
On Mon, Jun 6, 2016 at 5:20 PM, Donna White <pasodonna@gmail.com> wrote:
In view of the recent e-mails concerning PAS and the barrier island undergrounding project, I would like to elucidate on the
following issues:
1. As of now, Phase 2 of the undergrounding project is over budget by approximately $571,000.
The latest figures do NOT include FP&L's bill. Ms. White voted for PAS to help pay FP&L $25,000 to give us an estimate on
Phase 2. No one knows how much FP&L will end up charging for their work on top of the $571,000.
Ms. White voted for PAS to help pay $460,000 for fancy street lights to be installed only on the east side of Town - not in
PAS.
If Phase 2 is anything like Phase 1 it will end up being significantly over budget. PAS's share will be much greater than what
the Town now claims.
2. The Town proposed taking the over -budget amount out of the General Fund savings (no special assessments to be made
to any residents).
The Town convinced all the east side condo owners they must each pay a disproportionate amount to fund this project
because the Town and its experts insisted the project had NO GENERAL BENEFITS only SPECIAL BENEFITS.
• If the project does have general benefits after all, the Town should apologize to those condo owners and give them
their money back;
• If the project does NOT have general benefits than PAS should not be paying for it, PERIOD.
3. PAS represents approximately 8.5% of the tax base for the entire Town of Gulf Stream, so the amount that reflects taxes
already collected from PAS residents to be used for the undergrounding issue is approximately $48,535 (or $522 per lot). The
balance of approximately $522,465 is being paid by taxes already collected from the barrier island residents.
This is the same rational stated by Mr. Thrasher at the last Town meeting. If the project has a general benefit, we should
pay; if it only has special benefit to those according to the Town's Assessment Methodology, as the Town once claimed, we
should not pay even $1.
4. Some e-mails mentionned that the PAS entrance project done in 2011/2012 was financed entirely by PAS residents. The
records show that the Town contributed approximately over $15,000 to our project, as well as bankrolling the entire project at
no interest (PAS paid back amounts to the Town as assessments were received). The Gulf Stream Civic Association contributed
$7,500 to our project as well. The Town also was involved in providing vendors/supervision/etc to the project.
The people I spoke to, tell me this project was grossly overbudgeted because of Mr. Thrasher's involvement. Regardless,
$15,000 seems pretty insignificant compared to what PAS is now expected to pay in return for this largess.
The GS Civic Association is not the Town. Whatever dues they returned to this neighborhood do not determine whether or
not the Town is doing the right thing by PAS.
5. The Town regularly pays the water bills for the landscaping of the common areas/entrance of PAS.
The same water the Town buys wholesale and charges us triple retail for? The record is clear; the Town traditionally raids
the water fund to pay for other things - like lawyers.
6. The Town regularly contributes $2,500/year to the PAS HOA to be used for upgrades/maintenance/etc as needed.
Again, This seems pretty insignificant compared to what PAS is now expected to pay in return for this past largess.
7. The Draft Budget for the Town for 2017 proposes a decrease in the millage rate to 4.59 (from the current 5.0) which
3 of 5 6/22/2016 3:34 PM
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indicates that the town council is operating with prudent fiscal management. The Draft Budget can be viewed online on the
Town's website. (It can be found under the upcoming June 10 Commission Meeting Agenda by scrolling down through the
attachments.)
This draft budget is premature and their is no way of knowing what the Town intends to spend on what because budget
funds are shuffled among pet projects faster than cards at a Black Jack table.
8. 1 have never seen evidence of reallocation of water fee increases for other purposes. I admit that my water/garbage bill is
high, but increases in reserves were made because water pipes/mains are old and starting to leak. The time will come when
repairs may not be sufficient and mains will break requiring extensive funds for replacement. The Town is building a reserve
fund to address this eventuality. Presently $750,000 has been isolated in a special savings account (drawing interest) at Flagler
Bank for this purpose. Again, you can find this line item in the attachments to the budget by scrolling down through the
Agenda to the June 10th meeting.
Commissioner Garrett Dering quit because of Mr. Thrasher's difficult to decipher budgets. The records of past meetings are
filled with Mr. Dering's criticisms of Mr. Thrasher's obtuse budgets.
In conclusion, I urge anyone with questions or comments to attend the Commission Meetings or send in letters to the Town
with questions/comments/etc. The Town's website also posts video coverage of all Meetings and is a good source of
information. Our PAS HOA Meetings are also a source of information. Mayor Morgan has attended the recent PAS Annual
Meetings, and at the March 15, 2016 one he spoke about the undergrounding project at length and was available for
questions. With everyone working together we can make our great Town even better.
Lets work together alright. And maybe tell the truth and stick to it. Here is what Town leaders once said that was apparently
only temporarily true:
No residents in Place Au Soleil will have to 12ayfor this:
Town Manager Thrasher 04-09-10 Commission Meeting
Only those residents that get it will pay for it:
Comm. Ortlnvein: 04-09-10 Commission Meeting
Residents will pay only for the benefit they received.
Town Manager Thrasher. 05-14-10 Commission Meeting
Subdivision on the other side of Intracoastal (Place Au Soleil) will not be involved in this
rp oiect.
Residents will only be assessed for whatever affects their individual property.
Town Consultant Evitt 12-10-10 Commission Meeting
The developer Bob Reed (paid for the) undertrrounded utilities in Place Au Soleil prior to
development
Mayor Koch 01-14-11- Commission Meeting
The developer paid the entire cost of undergrounding in Place Au Soleil.
Comm. Anderson 01-14-11- Commission Meeting
of 5 6/22/2016 3:34 PM
Fwd: The Barrier Island Undergrounding Project and PAS - Donna ...
Comm. Ganger 02-04-11 Commission Meeting
Town Consultant Isaac 04-28-11 Special Meeting
https:Hmail.gulf-stream.org/owa/#viewmodel=ReadMessageltem&I...
Place Au Soleil is excluded from the project because their utilities have alreadE been
undeMrounded therefore ad valorem option is not available to Gulf Stream for this
pro'el ct. Consultant
Town Consultant Schoetde-Gumm:04-28-11 Special Meeting
Place Au Soleil is excluded from the proiect as their facilities are alreadv buried: PAS
receives no benefit from undergrounding; it would be unfair to levy an ad valorem tax
on Place An Soleil because they receive no benefit from the proiect:
Town Attorney Randolph 05-13-11 Commission Meeting
Town Consultant Schoettle-Gumm 06-30- 11 Special Commission
Thank you for your time and attention.
Donna White
Town Commissioner/PAS Resident/HOA Board Member
Your welcome Ms. White. See you Friday morning at 9:00 AM.
Chris O'Hare
2520 Avenue Au Soleil
5 of 5 6/22/2016 3:34 PM
Underground Utility Project - Donna White https:Hmail.gulf--stream.org/owa/#viewmodel=ReadMessageltem&I..
Underground Utility Project
ilkccim@aol.com
Thu 6/9/2016 3:35 PM
ToSill Thrasher <bthrasher@gulf-stream.org>; Scott Morgan <SMorgan@gulf-stream.org>; Robert Ganger <RGanger@gulf-
stream.org>; Joan Orthwein <JOrthwein@gulf-stream.org>; Tom Stanley <TStanley@gulf-stream.org>; Donna White
<D White@gulf-stream.org>;
Dear Mr. Mayor, Commissioners and Mr. Thrasher,
As a resident of the Town of Gulf Stream and Place Au Soleil, I do not agree with your vote to incorporate PAS into
the payment program for the underground utility project.
I would like you to reconsider this decision.
This is a project that, I believe, only benefits the residents that wanted this project, voted for this project and said
they would pay for this project. The only group that should be paying for this mismanagement / project
overruns should be those charged with the management of the project (accountability) and/or back to the residents
that wanted the project to begin with. Please hold projects to timelines, budgets and general business
accountabilities or look to those whom have not done the job tasked of them.
Before you all took action to allow the rest of our community to help pay for this, I believe we should have been given
some type of notice so that those affected could be heard.
Please reconsider your action, immediately stop the project, immediately stop phase 2 (1 do not wish to pay for that
either) and allow the community voices to be heard.
Thank you for your consideration,
Ingrid Kennemer
810 Tangerine Way
Place Au Soleil
1 of 1 6/22/2016 3:34 PM
Fwd: So what do we do now ........? - Donna White https://mail.gulf-stream.org/owa/#viewmodel=ReadMessageltem&I...
Fwd: So what do we do now ........?
Donna White <pasodonna@gmail.com>
Thu 6/9/2016 5:43 PM
To:Donna White <DWhite@gulf-stream.org>;
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Edward Slominski <edwardoslominski@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, Jun 6, 2016 at 3:07 PM
Subject: Re: So what do we do now .......
To: Dan Reinhart <dfr990hotmaiI.com>
Cc: Miguel Neumann <neumannmiauel@yahoo.com>, Rick <rickJreland550amaiI.com>, Charles Carlino
<carlinoc@bellsouth.net>, "drme12000@aol.com" <drmel2000@aol.com>, c o <oineod@amaiI.com>, "honor0429@vahoo.com"
<honor04290)vahoo.com>, Frank Russo <fJrussoll@omail.com>, ROSE LOCASCIO <flrose@ootonline.net>, herman stevens
<hermanstevensir@aol.com>, Zac Bruker <zbruker@carecloud.com>, "ozmeister7l@hotmaiLcom" <ozmeister71@hotmaiI.com>,
"amoilive@hotmaiLcom" <amoilive@hotmaiLcom>, "oasodonna@gmail.com" <pasodonna@gmaiLmm>, Mary Earnhart
<crykie5@omaiI.com>, "Sandy52300aol.com" <Sandv5230@aol.com>, "daahartuno0vahoo.com" <daghartung@yahoo.com>,
Augusto Titarelli <augusto.titarelliCalgmail.cwm>, "bobWauahneroatel.com" <bob@IauahneroateI.com>, "swordout@aol.com"
<swordout@aol.com>, tom kubricky <TKC Engineering@roadrunner.com>, Mary Schindlbeck <beckohd@amail.com>,
"malcmurohv@hotmaiLcom" <malcmurohhy@hotmaiLcom>, "HJLANCE@AOL.mm" <HJLANCE@aoI.com>, Chris Moreno
<chris1moreno3@gmail.com>, Ingrid <ILKCCIM@aol.com>, "ianet.r.ireland@ymail.com" <janet.cireland@amail.com>, Suzanne
Boyd <sboyd@cbsl2.com>, "NewBob88@me.com" <NewBob88@me.com>, Marion Fine <marionfine@gmail.com>, Kristina
Sutton Ermers<Kristina5uttonErmers@omail.com>, "lindnerflmuc@aol.com" <lindnerflmuc@aol.com>, Michael Panagis
<moanagis@mac.com>, Elena <elenacarissimo@maccom>, "christoohecmellor@tesco.net" <Christooher.Mellor@tesco.net>,
"aeorgeandkarenl0@amail.com" <georaeandkarenl0@amaii.com>, "nickventura@comcast.net" <nickventura@comcast.net>,
"EEDENHA@aol.com" <eedenha@aol.com>, "ii.rollins@hotmaiLcom" <ii.rollins@hotmaiLcom>, Shelley O'Hare
<shellevohare yahoo.com>, "RobertJ. Denton" <ridenton4790gmaiI.com>, Julio martinez <immp1059@vahoo.com>,
"christine s martinez@vahoo.com" <christine s martinez@yahoo.com>, Jeff & Lindsey Jones <drerossen@earthlink.net>,
"xcimsx@aol.com" <xcimsx@aol.com>, "aircraftem@aol.com" <Aircraftem@aol.com>, "iames malone@att.net"
<James malone@att.net>, Janet Beddia <tibeddia@bellsouth.net>, David Prusakowski <endoboca@gmaiI.com>, Jerry Clippinger
<ierry@anythinginfence.com>, "sharon@anvthinainfence.com" <sharon@anythinainfence.com>,'jamiemarra@aol.com"
<iamiemarra@aol.com>, "abennettdelray@comcast.net" <abennettdelrav@comcast.net>, "traciesafwat@AOLcom"
<traciesafwat@aol.com>, gail <SJRGAQ@bellsouth.net>, "soen726480aol.com" <soen72648@aol.com>,
"mortmillerl@msn.com" <mortmillerl@msn.com>, "placeausoleil@yahoo.com" <placeausoleil@yahoo.mm>, paul tinsley
<eptinsley@hotmaiLcom>, Robert Dudley <docdud omail.com>, "beniirevnolds@aol.com" <benjireynolds@aol.com>,
"Brianwdudlev@yahoo.com" <Brianwdudlev@yahoo.com>, "molyneub@bellsouth.net" <molyneub@bellsouth.net>,
"WMCFL@AOLcom" <WMCFL@aol.com>, "seabrzdelr@AOLcom" <seabrzdelr@aol.com>, "mneyexpert@aol.com"
<mnevexoert@aol.com>, "SSG09040aol.com" <SSG0904@aol.com>, "JAMS@ootonline.net" <JAMS@ootonline.net>, Priscilla
Ross <obehneross@gmail.com>, "fsalvatore58@gmail.com" <fsalvatore58@omail.com>, "amnetcomm@aol.com"
<amnetcomm@aol.com>, "eslmd@medicalcybernetics.com" <eslmd@medicalcybernetics.com>,
"hp@assetprotectionattorneys.com"<ho@assetprotectionattorneys.com>, "i onathaniohnson@deloitte.com"
<jonathaniohnson@deloitte.com>, "vermal'Wamail.com" <vermafl@amail.com>, "scottcampbell@hotmail.com"
<scottcampbell@hotmaiLcom>, Chet SNAVELY <ccsnavely@aol.com>
Unknown at this point
I of7 6/22/2016 3:35 PM
wd: So what do we do now ........? - Donna White https://mail.gulf-stream.org/owa/#viewmodel=ReadMessageltem&l...
Sent from my iPhone
On Jun 6, 2016, at 2:55 PM, Dan Reinhart <dfr99@hotmail.com> wrote:
How much will this cost?
Dan
On Jun 6, 2016, at 12:52 PM, Miguel Neumann <neumannmiguel@yahoo.com> wrote:
If we want answers to any of our outstanding concerns in order to ascertain our assumptions, do we need a formal written
request before next Friday's Town Hall meeting?
Sent from my iPad
On Jun 6, 2016, at 12:04 PM, Rick <rick.ireland55@omail.com> wrote:
So far Janet and I have been silent but we agree that we all need to stand together on this. Rick Ireland
Sent from my iPhone
On Jun 6, 2016, at 10:04 AM, Charles Carlino <carlinoc@bellsouth.net> wrote:
Thank you Ed,
When you are set, please let us know.
Charles F. Carlino
On Sunday, June 5, 2016 11:57 PM, Edward Slominski <edwardpslominski(a)vahoo.com> wrote:
First and foremost we need to demonstrate to Town Hall that as a community we are
not in agreement with any plan that moves the burden of poor planning and overuns
solely onto PAS. There are a number of reasons that our town leaders have decided to
make this play and it is about time some hard questions are posed. Further, this
current problem has a greater cause than just the mismanagement by our town
manager over this project. It runs into the cavalier management( i.e. reallocation of
water fee increases for other purposes) of the entire town budget with respect to other
misadventures many in the town want stopped.
Our Mayor has a very arrogant view as to his mandates and demonstrates he has a
very entitled view as to his "rule ". I would like to suggest to all of you to stop being
viewed as a small group of troublemakers and realize we all must make our voice
heard. Failing that we will once again be put off by a rubber stamp 5-0 vote.
So here is what I Suggest :
1 A meeting to formulate a response to the town council reflective of the response(s) in
this stream to date. WE NEED your active participation in person or in writing.
2 From that meeting a formal response to the council letting them know we will not
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Fwd: So what do we do now ....... ? - Donna White https://mail.gulf-stream.org/owa/#viewmodel=ReadMessageltem&I...
placidly sit by and allow this improper levy to take place without consequence.
3 A formal request to the County Inspector General to audit/review the governance and
fiscal spending decisions of the current town council
4 An assessment of a recall vote of Mayor Morgan and others or at the very least a
demand for his resignation as he has proven his temperament for office lacks the
equanimity we should expect.
5. A communication to ALL Gulfstream residents that the current fiscal management/
problem resolution by our town council is not in our best interests as property owners
and that we all run the risk of seeing the town spiral into insolvency. As such, a
communication that makes clear last year a number of very smart residents from all of
Gulfstream warned of this very type of result if Mayor Morgan persisted in his personal
crusade and unaffordable expensive prosecution of the Ohare/Oboyle lawsuits.
In conclusion let's bring together much of the temperament displayed in this stream and
undertake the right type of civic minded problem resolution these issues demand.
I will gladly host a meeting on or after the 21 st. Please reach out to every neighbor/
friend in Gulfstream to keep the dialog dynamic. I hope to see a positive affirmative
response.
With sincere concern
Ed&Joyce Slominski
Sent from my iPhone
On Jun 2, 2016, at 8:03 PM, drme12000(a)aol.com wrote:
Just a reminder: WE are the town, and we must act like it. Time to stop talking and DO
something.
Melanie Bazarte
On Jun 2, 2016, at 12:33 PM, Edward Slominski <edwardpslominski(d.)yahoo.com>
wrote:
Maybe we should be looking at a recall vote. The last turn out was about 450. We
would only need 10 % of that morgan may just resign to avoid embarrassment it would
give us leverage to get another person on the town council I propose Julio
Sent from my iPhone
On Jun 2, 2016, at 8:24 AM, c o <pinegd(agmail.com> wrote:
I don't know why Place Au Soleil is being singled out for this kind of treatment. Unlike
the rich side of town, our neighborhood can't have privacy fences over 6' high unless
3 of 7 6/22/2016 3:35 PM
'wd: So what do we do now ........? - Donna White https://mail.gulf-stream.org/owa/#viewmodel=ReadMessageltem&I...
they are blocked from view by a hedge; 75% of ALL plants and hedges located
between the front of your home and the road must be no taller than 3 feet. Many of
the beautiful homes on the east side of Town aren't allowed to be built in Place Au
Soleil because they are not "compatible" with our neighborhood (the Town is the
ultimate decider of what is compatible). And now the Town is about to pass new
regulations further restricting 2nd stories in Place Au Soleil.
I lived in the middle of the east side of Gulf Stream for over 10 years and in Place Au
Soleil for the past 5. Things are very different here. I talked to many neighbors who
have shared their horror stories with me about an overreaching Town, overzealous
code enforcement and an abusive Town Manager. How many of you have similar
stories you just keep to yourself?
I reached my breaking point in October 2011 when Officer Ginsberg trespassed into
my home. My complaint about that resulted in a nightmare of Town retaliation
including selective code enforcement and frivolous lawsuits by the Town. I was even
prosecuted for planting lady palms in my yard (plants that were a gift to me by the
late Mayor Koch). I knew this wasn't right and I was determined to get to the bottom
of it all. I attend most every Town meeting; I got involved; asked questions in person
at meetings and by email; I requested to inspect a lot of public records and
discovered things that led me to ask for even more public records. I discovered that
the Town plays very loose with the rules. The "book" is thrown at some residents
while others can act with impunity. The private clubs in Town get huge tax breaks
while they violate Town code daily. The Town ignores many state and federal
statutes. If you have ever been before the ARPB or the Commission seeking
approval of a building application you know that their personal design opinions are
the determining factor and not the vague regulations in the Town code.
The Town does not like this kind of scrutiny. The Town waged a media campaign to
portray all my efforts as abusive; convince many of my neighbors that I was the
problem - not Town leaders; lied under oath in Federal Court; even sued me for RICO
in an attempt to make me go away (Mayor Morgan's own words). This was
devastating to me and destroyed my family but also hardened my resolve.
Town leaders have been emboldened to act like this because no one complains to
them. The Coastal Star sugar coats their behavior while Island residents cheer them
on at public meetings. Our own neighborhood Commissioner Donna White says nary
a word and votes in lock step with the Mayor. There is no dissent to keep their
abuses in check. This latest abusive decision to shift the burden to pay for the
undergrounding project onto the residents of Place Au Soleil is directly due to the
squeaky wheel getting the grease; east side residents voiced their opinion and Place
Au Soleil residents didn't. If you are unhappy with Town leaders it is not enough to
only complain to your neighbors.
Our property taxes have nearly doubled since Mayor Koch died just a few years ago.
As high as they are now I predict they will double again in the next few years. I am
not happy about this. I have three home in Place Au Soleil and I want low taxes just
of 7 6/22/2016 3:35 PM
Fwd: So what do we do now ....... ? - Donna White https://mail.gulf--stream.org/owa/#viewmodel=ReadMessageltem&I...
like everybody else. But I choose to not just complain to neighbors when I see this
kind of bad behavior; I am doing something about it - at great personal expense.
Unfortunately the Town's expenses are passed on to you.
Chris O'Hare
2520 Avenue Au Soleil
On Wed, Jun 1, 2016 at 5:31 PM, Laura Honor <honor0429(d)yahoo.com> wrote:
I am trying to sell my home on the Avenue side. Values of homes for sale on this
side are dropping dramatically due to economy, homes not being maintained, out
of control rules enforced on residents ie. no metal roof is ridicules in a hurricane
prone area. Excessive water bill fee charges & now an assessments that the
residences on this side will have to incure. I NEVER VOTED ON THIS PROJECT.
If mismanagement by town Officals caused this situation then STOP THE
PROJECT NOW! This assessment will hurt selling these homes even more, to the
point that all home values will suffer and be driven down further. It is time to vote all
these town politicians out. I will be glad to join in any class action suit brought
against the town and all Officals involved if they move forward to systematically
devalue our properties or continue to add further hardships.
Sincerely, Dennis Honor 2756 Cardinal Cir.
Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
On Wed, Jun 1, 2016 at 2:45 PM, Edward Slominski
<edwardpslominski(oyahoo.com> wrote:
Let's settle these ridiculous lawsuits and stop the excessive costs our town can
avoid. When will people realize we have I compete governence Thrasher &
Morgan need to go !
Sent from my iPhone
On Jun 1, 2016, at 2:40 PM, c o <pinegd@gmail.com> wrote:
I generally resist sharing the bad news out of Town Hall with my neighbors but
this latest indignity should be considered by all residents of Place Au Soleil.
During the last Town Hall meeting the Commission voted to stick Place Au
Soleil with the bill for work that they originally said would be paid for only by
property owners on the island side of Town.
This switch in thinking was apparently due to east side property owners telling
town leaders they would not tolerate another special assessment to pay for
the Town's screwed up undergrounding project.
5 of 7 6/22/2016 3:35 PM
wd: So what do we do now ........? - Donna White https://mail.gulf-stream.org/owa/#viewmodel=ReadMessageltem&1...
The Mayor and Commissioners have done an about face from their earlier
claims that only those who benefited by this project would have to pay for the
project. Place Au Soleil residents were off the hook until this past meeting.
Despite my objections and the cautious inquiry of Commissioner White about
this change, Commissioner Ganger (this was originally his idea), Mayor
Morgan, and Commissioners Orthwein, White and Stanley unanimously voted
to stick Place Au Soleil with this bill.
You can read the sugar coated version in the Coastal Star at:
hftp://thecoastalstar.com/profi les/blog s/g ulf-strea m -utilities -project -gets -new -
head -of -steam
My online published comments follow:
The Town had many many meetings where Town leaders and the Gulf Stream Civic
Association "sold" its on the idea that this project did not benefit the entire Town but
rather had only "special benefits "for some residents and not others. The Town levied
a non -ad valorem tax assessment against those residents instead ofspreading the cost
over ALL residents with an ad valorem tax based on property values. The Town figured
this was the only way it could win the straw ballot and get the project approved by file
voters.
Condo owners realized they were being disproportionately taxed for this project; some
paying almost as much as nearby estates worth 10 to 20 times more than their tiny
condominium apartment was worth. The condo owners complained The Town hired
expensive consultants who concocted a Special Assessment Methodology "proving condo
owners should pay more. In trite character the Town told these owners, "This project has
special benefits, not general benefits so screw you — your paying. "
Now, miracle of miracles, the Town has decided the project has general benefits after all.
So now ALL residents will be stuck with the bill for the Town's mismanagement and the
project's overnins. And that "special benefits " rational used to bully the condo owners
into paying too much? That has now morphed into a "general benefits " rational being
used to bully the residents of Place Ait Soleil into paying at all.
Why shouldn't Place An Soleil residents pay anyway? In order to "sell" the non -ad
valorem tax Town leaders, Town consultants, Town attorneys and the Gulf Stream Civic
Association all claimed correctly Place An Soleil already has buried utilities paid for by
the residents — they were not benefiting by this work being done only on the rich side of
the waterway.
Is this the next giant lawsuit for Gulf Stream? Town leaders should reconsider their
actions. Either abolish the special assessment, return the non -ad valorem money to
residents and pay for the project from General Funds OR go back to all those residents
of 7 6/22/2016 3:35 PM
Fwd: So what do we do now ....... ? - Donna White https://mail.gulf-stream.org/owa/#viewmodel=ReadMessageItem&I...
who the Town claims received "special benefits ", tax them again for the shortfall and
leave Place Au Soleil out of it.
7 of 7 6/22/2016 3:35 PM
Fwd: The Facts - Re: Place An Soleil will now pay for Undergo.. - ... https://mail.gulf-stream.org/owa/#viewmodel=ReadMessageltem&I...
Fwd: The Facts - Re: Place Au Soleil will now pay for
Undergrounding and new street lights on ...
Donna White <pasodonna@gmail.com>
Thu 6/2/2016 4:59 PM
To:Donna White <DWhite@gulf-stream.org>;
Forwarded message
From: c o <pinead@amaiI.com>
Date: Wed, Jun 1, 2016 at 8:32 PM
Subject: The Facts - Re: Place Au Soleil will now pay for Undergrounding and new street lights on ...
To: Ingrid <ILKccim@aol.com>
Cc: Frank Russo <firussoll@gmaiLcom>, rose Locascio <flrose@ootonline.net>, herman stevens <hermanstevensir@aol.com>,
Zac Bruker <zbruker@carecloud.com>, "ozmeister7l@hotmaiLcom" <ozmei5ter71@hotmail.com>, ampilive@hotmaiLcom, Dennis
Honor <Honor04290)yahoo.com>, "pasodonna@gmaiLcom" <pasodonna@gmaiLcom>, Charles Carlino
<carlinoc@bellsouth.net>, Mary Earnhart <crvkie5@amaiLcom>, "Sandy5230@aol.com" <Sandv5230@aoLcom>,
"daohartuna@yahoo.com" <daghartunn@vahoo.com>, Augusto Titarelli <augusto.titarelli@gmail.com>,
bob@Iauahnerpatel.com. "swordout@aol.com" <swordout@aoLcom>, tom kubricky <TKC Engineering@roadrunneccom>, Mary
Schindlbeck <beckphd@amaiLcom>, "malcmurohv@hotmaiLcom" <malcmurphv@hotmaiLcom>, "HILANCE@AOLcom"
<HILANCE@aol.com>, Chris Moreno <chhs1mcreno3@omaiI.com>, "ianet.rIreland@amaiLcom" <ianet.cireland@gmaiI.com>,
Rick Ireland <rick.ireland5S6amaiLcom>, Suzanne Boyd <sboyd@cbsl2.com>, NewBob88@me.com. Marion Fine
<marionfine@gmaiLcom>, Kristina Sutton Ermers<KristinaSuttonErmers@gmail.com>, "lindnerflmuc@aoLcom"
<lindnerflmuc@aoI.com>, Michael Panagis <moanaais@mac.com>, Elena <elenacahssimo@mac.com>,
"christophermellor@tesco.net" <Christopher.Mellor@tesco.net>, "aeoraeandkarenl0@gmaiLcom"
<georoeandkaren10@amaiLcom>, nickventura@comcast.net. "EEDENHA@aoLcom" <eedenha@aol.com>,
"ii.rollins@hotmail.com" <ii.rollins@hotmaiLcom>, Shelley O'Hare <shelleyohare@vahoo.com>, miguel neumann
<neumannmiguel@yahoo.com>, "Robert J. Denton" <ridenton479@gmail.com>, Julio martinez <immp1059@yahoo.com>,
christine s martinez@yahoo.com, Jeff & Lindsey Jones <drerossen@earthlink.net>, "xcjmsx@aoLcom" <xcimsx@aoLcom>,
"aircraftem@aoLcom" <Aircraftem@aol.com>, "lames malone@att.net" <James maloneLa)att.net>, Janet Beddia
<tjbeddia@bellsouth.net>, David Prusakowski <endoboca@gmail.com>, Jerry Clippinger <ierrv0anAhinginfence.com>,
sharon@anythinoinfence.com, iamiemarra@aol.com, "abennettdelrav@comcast.net" <abennettdelrav@comcast.net>,
"traciesafwat@AOL.com" <traciesafwat@aoLcom>, gail <SJRGAQ@bellsouth.net>, spen72648@aoLcom. "mortmillerl@msn.com"
<mortmillerl@msn.com>, placeausoleil@vahoo.com, paul tinsley <eptinsley@hotmaiLcom>, Robert Dudley
<docdud@amaiLcom>, "beniireynolds@aol.com" <beniireynolds@aoLcom>, Brianwdudley@yahoo.com,
"molyneub@bellsouth.net" <molyneub@bellsouth.net>, "WMCFL@AOL.com" <WMCFL@aol.com>, Edward Slominski
<EdwardPSlominski@yahoo.com>, "seabrzdelr@AOLcom" <seabrzdelr@aoLcom>, mneyexpert@aoLcom. SSG0904@aol.com.
JAMS@optonline.net, dfr990hotmaiLcom. Priscilla Ross <pbehneross@amaiLcom>, "fsalvatore58@amaiLcom"
<fsalvatore58@gmail.com>, "amnetcomm@aoLcom" <amnetcomm@aoLcom>, "eslmd@medicalcvbernetics.com"
<eslmd@medicalcybernetics.com>, "hhr) assetprotectionattorneys.com"<hp@assetprotectionattornevs.com>,
"ionathaniohnson@deloitte.com" <Jonathaniohnson@deloitte.com>, 'drme12000@aol.com" <drmel2000@aol.com>,
"vermafl@gmaiLcom" <vermafl@amail.com>, scottcampbell@hotmail.com. Chet SNAVELY <ccsnavely@aoLcom>
Ingrid is absolutely right when she writes,°Be involved in your Government. Get the facts."
I of 7 6 11 1016 3:22 PM
Fwd: The Facts - Re: Place Au Soleil will now pay for Undergr... - ...
Here are the facts.
Quotes by Town leaders and consultants:
https://mail.gulf-stream.org/owal#viewmodel=ReadMessageltem&1...
(first claiming Place Au Soleil will NOT pay then 2 weeks ago deciding Place Au Soleil will pay)
11-13-09 Commission Meeting
GSCA Ganger:
Place Au Soleil almadv has buried utilities.
04-09-10 Commission Meeting
Town Manager Thrasher:
• says this is a special assessment rather than a general obligation;
suggests straw ballot or referendum to determine favorability of (effected) residents;
no residents in Place Au Soleil will have to Pay for this:
Com. Orthwein:
they are doing a special assessment because some residents already have underground utilities;
those residents that get it will pay for it;
05-14-10 Commission Meeting
Town Manager Thrasher:
residents will pay onlyfor the benefit received.
methodology assessment musty be legally stfcient; it will be tailored and specific to each property.
the Town wants to know the benefits each property receives.
08-13-10 Commission Meeting
Consultant Brannon:
Town contracted with if alldan Financial Services to develop an assessment methodology which looks at special
benefits identiftedfor each parcel relative to safety, reliability and aesthetics.
• benefit ofundergrounding will be less for parcels having existing underground and adjustments will be made for
those parcels.
non -ad valorem will probably be used in Gulf Stream to finance project due to the variation in parcel
classifications, but each resident will know what their cost will be prior to voting,
average assessment could be around $/5,000; halfofthat or lessfor those (on the island) who already have
tmdergrounding.
09-10-10 Commission Meeting
Town Manager Thrasher:
majority ofstraw ballots returned will decide issue.
2 of 7 6/22/2016 3:22 PM
Fwd: The Facts - Re: Place Au Soleil will now pay for Undergr... - ...
11-12-10 Commission Meeting
Consultant Brannon:
https:Hmail.gulf-stream.org/owa/#viewmodel=ReadMessageltem&l..,
undergrounding in annexation area will be paidfrom Town's General Fund and repaid (back to the General Fund)
by assessment ofannexed properties.
project budget contingency $.4 million; total cost $5 million.
Town Manager Thrasher:
Notice oflntent gives Town ability to asses on property owner's taxes the non -ad valorem special assessment for
underground improvements.
11-18-10 ARPB Meeting
Board Member Ganger:
cost of undergrounding will be dderent for each resident; residents will vote on the basis of their individual
"not -to -exceed " cost.
Board Member Smith:
when consultants will present information on equitable sharing ofthe cost ofundergmunding; Town wants residents to
know exactly what they are votingfor.
12-10-10 Commission Meeting
Consultant Evitt:
assessment methodology allows Town to legally assess properties accordingly; develop a nexus between special
benefits and general benefits.
• cost of the undergmunding is assessed on special benefits; properties will only be assessed on special benefits
assigned to them.
subdivision on the other side o(Intracoastal (Place An Solei) will not be involved in this proiect
residents will only be assessedfor whatever affects their individual property.
Consultant Schoetde-Gramm:
outlines process for imposing special assessments against properties subject to the special assessments.
preliminary ballot process is optional but chosen by Town.
Town adopts Resolution No. 010-8 - Straw Ballot on project and special assessment on Gulf Stream Island properties only.
01-1411- Commission Meeting
Then Mayor Koch:
developer Bob Reed (paid for the) undemmunded utilities in Place An Soleil Prior to development
Then Com. Anderson:
developer paid the entire cost ofunderrroundine in Place Au Soleil.
02-04-11 Commission Meeting
GSCA Ganger:
3 of 7 6/22/2016 3:22 PM
Fwd: The Facts - Re: Place An Soleil will now pay for Undergo.. - ... https://mail.gulf-stream.org/owa/#viewmodel=ReadMessageItem&I...
three quarters of cost for undergrounding is on public property, one quarter on private property.
03-24-11 Willdan Invoice
Town pays S31,850for assessment methodologyfor non -ad valorem assessment against special benefit properties.
04-28-11 Special Meeting
Consultant Isaac:
• cost Pfproject will be apportioned to properties based on the special benefits ofimprvved safety, reliability and
aesthetics.
some specific costs to some properties will be charged to that parcel and not shared by all; explains Equivalent
Benefit Unit Methodology (EBU).
Consultant Schoettle-Gomm:
benefits are used to allocate cost to each parcel.
courts determined that special benefrtsjusttfy, assessment methodology.
special assessments only valid ifimprovements provide special benefits and costs arefairly apportioned.
Place An Soleil is excluded from the proiect because their utilities have already been undenrounded therefore ad
valorem option is not available to Gulf Stream for this proiect
Attorney Nolan (representing condominium owners):
non -ad valorem special assessment statute is to pay for projects that benefit one part of a community and do not
benefit another part.
Place An Soleil created a special district and not Part ofher numbers.
non -ad valorem special assessment as created by statute to payfor capital projects that only benefit a portion ofa
community. Only the beneficiaries pay.
Town adopts Ordinance 01112 authorizing non -ad valorem assessments (isi reading).
Town hires Mark Raymond as Financial Advisor/Band Counsel
Town approves agreement with PBC Property Appraiser and PBC Tax Collector related to assessment and collection ofnon-ad
valorem billing and collection.
05-13-11 Commission Meeting
Town Attorney Randolph:
Place Au Soleil is excluded from the oroiect as their facilities are already buried • receives no benefit from
undergrounding; it would be unfair to levy an ad valorem tax on Place An Soleil because they receive no benefit from
the Proiect:
Ordinance 01112 is adopted on 2"d reading. Providingfor development and consideration ofnon-ad valorem special assessment.
Resolution 011-9 is adopted. Callingfor public hearing to impose special assessments for undergrounding.
Resolution 011-10 is adopted. Expressing intent to reimburse prior general fiend expenditures from bond proceeds.
4 of 7 6/22/2016 3:22 PM
Fwd: The Facts - Re: Place An Soleil will now pay for Undergr... - ...
06-30-11 Special Commission Meeting Board of Equalization
Consultant Schoettle-Gumm:
https://mail.gulf-stream.org/owa/#viewmodel=ReadMessageltem&I...
• Place Au Soleil was not included because their utilities were already underground and would not benefit from the
Proiect.
project provides special benefit to certain properties; cost ofthe project must be allocated to those properties;
non -ad velorem funding method necessary otherwise Town could not exclude Place An Soleil from this oroiect.
three major special benefits to properties are impro ved safety, reliability and aesthetics.
Consultant Isaac:
Town can i use ad valorem assessment because it could be challenged as to whether it is a fair allocation of
benefit.
Town approves Resolution 011-11 authorizing non -ad valorem special assessments and confirming intention to issue special
assessment bonds.
Town approves Resolution 011-11 authorizing borrowing $5.5 million to finance the cost of the project. Providing that debt shall
not be a general obligation but shall be payable onlyfmm special assessments. (This loan was never made.)
08-28-12 Special Commission Meeting
Bond Attorney Raymond:
• the amount ofthe assessment equals the amount of the loan. Failure to collect an assessment on time would result in a
shortfall that would be subsidized by the general fund and the General Fund would be repaid by a completed tax certificate
process (Town would repay General Find payments to cover shortfall by going after delinquent non -ad valorem taxes).
• the assessments levied last year was enough to payfor the cost ofthe project; this loan isfor that assessment amount
minus the amount ofthe prepayments.
in orderfor the loan to be tax exempt, Town must enter a binding commitment for 5% ofloan ($130,000) within six
months.
Town Manager Thrasher:
a contingency of$600,000 to $700,000 is built into the estimate.
Town approves Resolution 011-7 authorizing a ten year loan for $1,417.895.44 to close on Sept. 6.
(2012 Town did not obtain $5.5 million loan because project was delayed. Town used prepaid special assessment money in addition to
loans from General Obligation Fund to finance undergrounding to date. The loan for $2.4 million is to repay the money from the General
Fund and pay for the remainder of the 2 phase project. All money spent to date plus this loan equals the total amount of special
assessment.)
03-16-12 Commission Meeting
Consultant Brannon:
5 of 7 6/22/2016 3:22 PM
Fwd: The Facts - Re: Place An Soleil will now pay for Undergo.. - ... https://mail.gulf stream.org/owa/#viewmodel=ReadMessageItem&I...
project to be built in two phases and completed around Mach 2079.
1109 12 Meeting
GSCA Ganger:
street lights not included in assessment.
05-13-16 Commission Meeting
Town Manager Thrasher:
The undergrounding ofthe Wilco quote is $510.000 over budget... Comcast is $61, 000 (over budget) for a total of
$571,000 (over budget) as ofthis date.
We stated early on there would be no additional assessment. (no record of this)
So at that time, we thought there might be an overage. (no record of this - see $400,000 to $700,000 contingency
built into original estimate)
In order to complete the project you have to takefimdsfrom the General Fund.
Mayor Morgan:
And AT&Ts (quote) we don? have.
The overage will comefrom the General Fund. There will not be a special assessment or (non -ad velorem) tar to
pay for it.
Initially the residents that were affected by the undergroundtng were the ones assessed for it...that cost increased.
The benefit ofthe undergrounding is to the benefit of the entire Town (opposite of conclusions reached by
consultants when project was being "sold to the voters) ... it would seem reasonable that the (entire) Town make up the
overage... rather than reauthorizing legally the assessments of the a ected people.
The bulk ofthe ad valorem is comingfrom the residents really experiencing the benefit ofthat undergrounding.
Com. Orduwein:
We assessed people it was going to affect
Place An Soleil was undeurrouunded from the start (privately paid for by the developer of PAS)
Very important as a Town we finish this project
this is the only way we can do it...
Undergrounding Assessment Analysis
Gulf Stream held a straw ballot exclusively among residents on the east side of the Intracoastal Waterway to determine if they
wanted to pay for burying utility wires. Consultants to the Town determined, and the Town concurred that only some residents would
receive special benefits from the project and only those residents would pay for the project. The Town specifically excluded all
properties which are located on the west side of the Intracoastal Waterway in Place Au Soleil from the vote and the funding. The ballot
was approved. Town hired consultants to create a special assessment methodology which determined the value (and payment
obligation) of each property's special benefit from the project.
The assessments were calculated so that each affected property owner was assessed a share of the total cost of the two phased
project proportionate to each property's "special benefit;" total cost included an $800,000 contingency in case of overruns. A non -ad
valorem tax was assessed against each benefiting property to be collected by the county on behalf of the Town. Town hired a bond
broker to secure funding to pay for the ongoing project. The Bond was obtained under the condition it would be serviced exclusively
from the proceeds of the non -ad valorem special assessment tax. The Bond was obtained to pay for the actual project and to reimburse
6 of 7 6/22/2016 3:22 PM
Fwd: The Facts - Re: Place An Soleil will now pay for Undergr... - ... https://mail.gulf-stream.org/owa/#viewmodel=ReadMessageItem&I...
the Town for all initial payments made from the General Fund for engineering, surveying, consultants, legal fees and other costs
incurred by the Town prior to collecting any assessments.
The project is behind schedule and over budget in excess of the special assessment. The Town has decided to cover the shortfall
with funds from the General Fund thereby obligating residents in Place Au Soleil to pay for this project.
Place Au Soleil residents were excluded from voting in the straw ballot and, by admission of the Town and the Town's own
consultants, properties located in Place Au Soleil received neither special benefits nor general benefits from this project.
The Town decided on May 13, 2016 that it intends to enter into contract with Wilco Electric, FPL and Comcast to complete the
first and second phase of the project. The Town now claims properties in Place An Soleil are generally benefiting from the project and
the Town will NOT solely assess only properties with special benefits as before but will now pay for the unfinished portion of this
project with money from the General Fund (money from taxpayers in Place Au Soleil).
Florida Statute requires that when a non -ad valorem bond is to be paid by special assessment; it can't also be paid from the
General Fund.
FS 170.11 bonds which are issued to pay for special assessments shall not be a general obligation of the city, but shall be
payable solely out ofsaid assessments.
In contradiction to Florida Statute, rather than make an additional special assessment against the benefiting properties to cover
the shortfall the Town is using the Geneml Fund to pay the shortfall.
FS 170.14 ifthe governing authority of a municipality shall have omitted to make such assessment when it might have done
so, then it shall take all necessary steps to cause a new assessment to be made for the whole or any part of any improvement
or against any property benefited by any improvement....
7 of 7 6/22/2016 3:22 PM
Underground Utility Project - Robert Ganger Page 1 of 1
Underground Utility Project
ilkccim@aol.com
Thu 6/9/2016 3:41 PM
To:Bill Thrasher <bthrasher@gulf-stream.org>; Scott Morgan <SMorgan@gulf-stream.org>; Robert Ganger <RGanger@gulf-
stream.org>; Joan Orthwein <JOrthwein@gulf-stream.org>; Tom Stanley <TStanley@gulf-stream.org>; Donna White
<D W hite@gulf-stream.org>;
Dear Mr. Mayor, Commissioners and Mr. Thrasher,
As a resident of the Town of Gulf Stream and Place Au Soleil, I do not agree with your vote to incorporate PAS
into the payment program for the underground utility project.
I would like you to reconsider this decision.
This is a project that, I believe, only benefits the residents that wanted this project, voted for this project and said
they would pay for this project. The only group that should be paying for this mismanagement / project
overruns should be those charged with the management of the project (accountability) and/or back to the
residents that wanted the project to begin with. Please hold projects to timelines, budgets and general business
accountabilities or look to those whom have not done the job tasked of them.
Before you all took action to allow the rest of our community to help pay for this, I believe we should have been
given some type of notice so that those affected could be heard.
Please reconsider your action, immediately stop the project, immediately stop phase 2 (1 do not wish to pay for
that either) and allow the community voices to be heard.
Thank you for your consideration,
Ingrid Kennemer
810 Tangerine Way
Place Au Soleil
https://mail.gulf-stream.org/owa/ 6/23/2016
Issues - Scott Morgan Page 1 of 1
Issues
CHESTER SNAVELY <ccsnavely@aol.com>
Mon 6/13/2016 9:30 PM
To:Scott Morgan <SMorgan@gulf-stream.org>;
Scott,
I have delayed writing this email for far too long. I am still trying to catch my breath since reading and rereading your
March 20, 2016 correspondence addressing the Gulf Stream Residents. Let me preface everything said here that I
appreciate and admire your service to the community; however, this letter is one of the most difficult explanation of
events I have ever read. The absolute only conclusion one can come to after reading this letter is that the Town is
terribly mismanaged. There is no other answer. The Town Manager is the one person who is accountable here. It is
hisjob to manage all the entities named in this letter of explanation. The Engineers who work with the utility have to
answer to him. They work for him. If they were not able to get thejob done in a reasonable time then he should have
gotten a new engineering company.
Scott, this was a slow time in the economy and there were not many construction projects being built or designed for
that matter. Their (FPL's) offices were not overworked during this period. The buck stops with the Manager. He is
accountable. If this Manager worked for any private enterprise he would be looking for a job.
It is my personal belief that this matter has not been handled as well as it should have been. Now the Town plans to
burden the residents of my neighborhood with a proportionate share of the cost overruns of the project? Politically I
think there was a better way to communicate this issue. There are a lot of residents in Place Au Soleil that are not very
happy right now. You may want to consider confronting this unrest before it becomes too complicated and
problematic.
I hope you understand that I want you to know my feelings on this issue friend to friend.
Chet
https://mail.gulf-stream.org/owa/ 6/23/2016
Undergrounding of Utilities Question - Scott Morgan
Undergrounding of Utilities Question
brian dudley <brianwdudley@yahoo.com>
Fri 6/3/2016 12:30 PM
TQ:SCott Morgan <SMorgan@gulf-stream.org>; Bill Thrasher <bthrasher@gulf-stream.org>;
Scott,
Page 1 of 1
Are you using the general fund to pay for the cost over run of the undergrounding project? I believe this project is to
be paid entirely by the owners it benefits. I live in Palace Au Soleil and we paid for our undergrounding of our utilities
when we purchased our homes from the developer. This does not seem right that we would be paying for the
undergrounding of utilities in another part of the town. I request further explanation as to why we would be paying for
undergrounding overruns on a section of town that has no benefit to us?
Thanks
-Brian
Brian Dudley
925 Emerald Row
https://mail.gulf-stream.org/owa/ 6/23/2016
Underground Utility Project - Scott Morgan Page 1 of 1
Underground Utility Project
ilkccim@aol.com
Thu 6/9/2016 3:41 PM
To:Bill Thrasher <bthrasher@gulf-stream.org>; Scott Morgan <SMorgan@gulf-stream.org>; Robert Ganger <RGanger@gulf-
stream.org>; Joan Orthwein <JOrthwein@gulf-stream.org>; Tam Stanley <TStanley@gulf-stream.org>; Donna White
<D W h ite@g u If-stream.org>;
Dear Mr. Mayor, Commissioners and Mr. Thrasher,
As a resident of the Town of Gulf Stream and Place Au Soleil, I do not agree with your vote to incorporate PAS
into the payment program for the underground utility project.
I would like you to reconsider this decision.
This is a project that, I believe, only benefits the residents that wanted this project, voted for this project and said
they would pay for this project. The only group that should be paying for this mismanagement / project
overruns should be those charged with the management of the project (accountability) and/or back to the
residents that wanted the project to begin with. Please hold projects to timelines, budgets and general business
accountabilities or look to those whom have not done the job tasked of them.
Before you all took action to allow the rest of our community to help pay for this, I believe we should have been
given some type of notice so that those affected could be heard.
Please reconsider your action, immediately stop the project, immediately stop phase 2 (1 do not wish to pay for
that either) and allow the community voices to be heard.
Thank you for your consideration,
Ingrid Kennemer
810 Tangerine Way
Place Au Soleil
https://mail.gulf-stream.org/owa/ 6/23/2016
From: scottmoroan75Ca1gmail.com
Sent: Tuesday, June 07, 2016 4:07 PM
To: brian dudlev
Subject: Re: Undergrounding questions
No problem, Brian.
The Ph 2 undergrounding benefits the residents who didn't previously have it, but it also
benefits the town as a whole in terms of safety and property valuation. I believe this project is
important to Gulf Stream as a Town, not just to individuals, and that's why I voted for it. (even
though my own house already has undergrounding and I am not individually "benefiting" from
this Town expenditure). The project was evaluated by a consulting company and costs for the
two phases were projected. That was the basis for the assessment. The commission and the
town manager didn't set the price. The prices were set by unforeseen market conditions that
have changed significantly over time. It's not the Ph 2 residents' fault that their homes'
undergrounding came later and became more expensive.
The undergrounding costs are determined by Utility Companies (no bid, no competition on
AT&T and Comcast) and by FPL utility vs. private contractors for electric. Pricing favored private
contractors over FPL for laying the conduit and pulling electric wiring underground. Ph lwas put
out for bid once FPL put together their survey and drawings of all lines and connections. Ph 1
came in on budget.
Ph 2 took much longer to initiate because FPL delayed significantly in putting the electrical line
drawings together for the Ph 2 portion of Gulf Stream. Our engineering consultant harassed
them repeatedly but was ignored. Eventually a utility complaint was filed and, finally, complete
FPL drawings were received. Complete drawings were needed to put out for bid. Then, due to a
change in the economic climate for electrical contractors (e.g., All Aboard Florida and other
large municipal projects specifically, and the overall improved construction climate in general),
few companies agreed to review and bid. The one solid Ph 2 bid that was accepted turned out
to be higher than the consultants had budgeted because of those reasons. That contractor's
price has been negotiated down and will be a firm price with penalty provisions on timing.
AT&T and Comcast will be monitored closely to be more prompt than before but their work
does not even begin until the electric is pulled.
Brian, I was not on the commission when this project was developed and initiated. But I am
now, and I intend to monitor Ph 2 to ensure prompt completion of it.
Regards,
Scott W. Morgan
(561)752-1936
From: brian dudlev
Sent: Tuesday, June 07, 2016 2:40 PM
To: scottmoroan75(&amail.com
Subject: Re: Undergrounding questions
Thanks Scott. My understanding is that this under -grounding benefits certain residents on the
island side only and that it was determined long ago that they would fund this project to
completion. Why has that changed? Also why the over runs? I do a lot of construction and
never start a project without a fixed bid. Why is this different? Is this an open ended
project? My concern is Bill Thrasher has no incentive to get this project done on time or on
budget.
Thanks. Brian
Sent from my iPhone please excuse typos and brevity.
On Jun 7, 2016, at 2:33 PM, <scottmorean75(@gmail.com> <scottmorean75(Dgmall.com>
wrote:
Hi Brian,
Sorry for the delay but I have been out of town. I'd be happy to discuss the undergrounding
with you though.
The last two letters I sent to the residents gave background on the reasons for the
undergrounding delay and the price increase on Ph. 2, as well as confirming that no tax or
assessment costs will be required to pay for the remainder of the undergrounding project. If
you didn't receive a copy of those letters let me know.
I travel quite a bit so I'm not always around but feel free to call me on this or any other Town
issue. I will get back to you.
Best regards,
Scott W. Morgan
(561)752-1936
Underground Utility Project - Joan Orthwein Page 1 of 1
Underground Utility Project
ilkccim@aol.com
Thu 6/9/2016 3:35 PM
TO:Bill Thrasher <bthrasher@gulf-stream.org>; Scott Morgan <SMorgan@gulf-stream.org>; Robert Ganger <RGanger@gulf-
stream.org>; Joan Orthwein <JOrthwein@gulf-stream.org>; Tom Stanley <TStanley@gulf-stream.org>; Donna White
<D W hite @gu I f-st ream.org>;
Dear Mr. Mayor, Commissioners and Mr. Thrasher,
As a resident of the Town of Gulf Stream and Place Au Soleil, I do not agree with your vote to incorporate PAS
into the payment program for the underground utility project.
I would like you to reconsider this decision.
This is a project that, I believe, only benefits the residents that wanted this project, voted for this project and said
they would pay for this project. The only group that should be paying for this mismanagement / project
overruns should be those charged with the management of the project (accountability) and/or back to the
residents that wanted the project to begin with. Please hold projects to timelines, budgets and general business
accountabilities or look to those whom have not done the job tasked of them.
Before you all took action to allow the rest of our community to help pay for this, I believe we should have been
given some type of notice so that those affected could be heard.
Please reconsider your action, immediately stop the project, immediately stop phase 2 (1 do not wish to pay for
that either) and allow the community voices to be heard.
Thank you for your consideration,
Ingrid Kennemer
810 Tangerine Way
Place Au Soleil
https://mail.gulf-stream.org/owa/ 6/23/2016
Underground Utility Project- Tom Stanley Page 1 of 1
Underground Utility Project
ilkccim@aol.com
Thu 6/9/2016 3:48 PM
TaBill Thrasher <bthrasher@gulf-stream.org>; Scott Morgan <SMorgan@gulf-stream.org>; Robert Ganger <RGanger@gulf-
stream.org>; Joan Orthwein <JOrthwein@gulf-stream.org>; Tom Stanley <TStanley@gulf-stream.org>; Donna White
<DW hite@gulf-stream.org>;
Dear Mr. Mayor, Commissioners and Mr. Thrasher,
As a resident of the Town of Gulf Stream and Place Au Soleil, I do not agree with your vote to incorporate PAS
into the payment program for the underground utility project.
I would like you to reconsider this decision.
This is a project that, I believe, only benefits the residents that wanted this project, voted for this project and said
they would pay for this project. The only group that should be paying for this mismanagement / project
overruns should be those charged with the management of the project (accountability) and/or back to the
residents that wanted the project to begin with. Please hold projects to timelines, budgets and general business
accountabilities or look to those whom have not done the job tasked of them.
Before you all took action to allow the rest of our community to help pay for this, I believe we should have been
given some type of notice so that those affected could be heard.
Please reconsider your action, immediately stop the project, immediately stop phase 2 (1 do not wish to pay for
that either) and allow the community voices to be heard.
Thank you for your consideration,
Ingrid Kennemer
810 Tangerine Way
Place Au Soleil
https://mail.gulf-stream.org/owa/ 6/23/2016
TOWN OF GULF STREAM
PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA
Delivered via e-mail
June 29, 2016
Chris O'Hare [mail to: chrisohareeulfstreamaa mnail.coml
Re: GS# 2240 (PAS inquiries)
As background to this request I call your attention to the letter dated June 14, 20016 and signed
by Scott W. Morgan which was recently sent to Town residents regarding the Undergrounding
Utility Project. For your convenience I have underlined certain passages that are relevant to this
record request. That letter reads as follows: Dear Gulf Stream Residents, Since my last update
on the Phase 2 undergrounding project, the Town has received a number of inquiries from Place
au Soleil residents questioning why the Commission voted to pay for the $571, 000 overage out of
general finds instead of terminating Phase 2 altogether or proceeding with Phase 2 but re-
assessing the Phase 2 residents alone for the extra cost. I cannot stress enough that the decision
to proceed with the Phase 2 undergrounding was made thoughtfully and with due consideration
to the costs involved, especially the cost of not proceeding. First, the Commission held three
meetings where the undergrounding issues were discussed - March 22, April 13 and May 13. All
Gulf Stream residents are invited to attend these meetings, and those that do are given an
opportunity to comment generally about public matters and also to speak on agenda items being
considered by the Commission. The Phase 2 undergrounding was the most important issue at both
of these meetings, and comments were made by residents, by Commissioners and by staff.
Specifically, the Commission considered its options of 1) terminating the Phase 2 project; 2)
deferring the Phase 2 project; or 3) proceeding with the Phase 2 project. For those of you
who did not attend the meetings, the Commission found that terminating the project was not a
viable option. To terminate Phase 2 would require a refund of the impacted residents' deposits
($549,372.00) and a reimbursement to FPL of their underground electricity design and
installation credit ($410,482.00), as well as losing the previously paid Ph. 2 engineering costs,
which on a conservative estimate exceed $100,000.00. The second option of deferring the
project did not make sense either since there is no benefit to the Town in postponing it. Costs will
only increase with time, plus FPL will not remove the wires and poles from the Phase 1 portion of
the project until the entire project's utility wires (both Ph. 1 & 2) are pulled underground. In
the Commission's opinion, the best option is to finish the entire project. It is less expensive; it helps
beautify the Town; it will help prevent prolonged power loss in the event of a hurricane; it
increases property values; and it is therefore in the best interests of all residents. As I have said
before, there will not be a tax increase or another special assessment to finish the
project. Some people have suggested that the Town should re -assess the residents residing
in the Phase 2 area for this additional amount of money. That would not be fair, nor wise, nor
appropriate. It is notfair to the Phase 2 residents since they did not choose to be the second phase-
it just happens to be where they live. They did not cause FPL's delay in engineering the Phase 2
work- that was a situation outside of Gulf Stream's control, necessitating a complaint to the utility
commission to remedy it. And, they did not cause the changed economic climate that led to
considerably higher electric labor costs- rather, that was a textbook example of Supply & Demand,
involving the electrical labor demands of All Aboard Florida, as well as a number of other large
municipal projects. Re -assessment is not wise because legally, a new assessment requires
another vote by the Phase 2 residents, who would be unlikely to support increasing their own
contribution to the project. There is also the need for court approval of any re -assessment process
with no guarantee of approval. All of this, of course, will cost the Town more time and
money. Perhaps most importantly, it is appropriate that the Town f nish the undergrounding
project and pay the extra amount because undergrounding of electrical, cable and telephone wires
benefits the Town as a whole. It will lead to a safer and more attractive method ofsupplying utility
services, which in tum augments property values and tax revenues. A Gulf Stream address benefits
all residents regardless of whether they reside in Place au Soleil, the various condominium
complexes, or the town core. Safety, delivery of service, and property valuation are vital Town
interests, and the Commission has a duty to advance and protect those interests. Please be
assured that our Commissioners are thoughtful, concerned individuals, who give their time and
effort to the Town out of nothing more than a sincere affection for Gulf Stream and a desire to see
it remain as a truly unique and wonderful town. We do not favor one group over another, or
support one neighborhood over another. We represent all of Gulf Stream, and we try to do what
is best for all residents. Very truly yours, Scott W. Morgan I request to inspect the record of each
of the inquiries from Place au Soleil residents as referenced in the above letter.
Dear Chris O'Hare [mail to: chrisohareeulfstreamna,,email.coml,
The Town of Gulf Stream has received your original record requests dated June 17, 2016. Your
original public records request can be found at the following link http://www2.Qulf-
stream.ore/weblink/0/doc/94110/Pasel.aspx. Please refer to the referenced number above with
any future correspondence.
The responsive records can be found at the same link above.
We consider this request closed.
Respectfully,
Town Clerk, Custodian of the Records