TOWN OF HILLSBORO BEACH
SPECIAL MEETING
OCTOBER 31, 2006
5:30 P.M.
MINUTES
______________________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order and Roll Call.
Mayor Sussman called the meeting to order at 5:30 P.M. Commission members present: Mayor Howard ‘Chuck’ Sussman, Vice Mayor Larry B. Fink, Commissioner Lee Bennett, Commissioner Dan Dodge, and Commissioner Alan J. Polin. Also present were Town Manager/Clerk Robert Mearns, Police Chief Felix Brugnoni, and approximately five members of the public.
2. Appointment/Selection of Interim Town Manager.
Mayor Sussman explained that all the candidates were suitable in one way or the other and that some were available now. He explained the ranking sheet and the ranking process.
The first candidate evaluated was Mr. Wayne Begin. Commissioner Dodge commented that while Mr. Begin had vast financial experience he had no government experience. Vice Mayor Fink, Commissioner Bennett and Commissioner Polin each had similar comments. Mayor Sussman said that Mr. Begin’s resume would be put aside.
The second candidate evaluated was Mr. Matthew Brock. Mayor Sussman outlined Mr. Brock’s background. Commissioner Polin commented on salary history. Commissioners Dodge, Bennett and Vice Mayor Fink did not consider Mr. Brock as a final candidate. Mr. Brock was not considered a final candidate.
The third candidate evaluated was Mr. Colin Donnelly. Mayor Sussman commented that he had a great background, but lacked Florida experience. Commissioner Dodge noted that Mr. Donnelly was from the New York - New Jersey metropolitan area and had likely seen some very complicated issues. Commissioner Polin stated that he liked Mr. Donnelly’s educational and budget experience and that he appeared to be a “hands on” manager. The consensus was that Mr. Donnelly should be considered a final candidate.
The fourth candidate evaluated was Ms. Charity Good. Vice Mayor Fink commented on recent newspaper articles regarding Ms. Good’s dual employment with both North Bay Village and Southwest Ranches. Commissioner Dodge shared Vice Mayor Fink’s evaluation of the situation. Mayor Sussman said that she was well qualified, and was available immediately for employment. Commissioner Dodge commented that he had great concerns about Ms. Good. Mayor Sussman said that he would like to interview her because of her qualifications. The consensus was that Ms. Good should be considered a final candidate.
The fifth candidate evaluated was Mr. John Metsopoulos. Mayor Sussman noted that Mr. Metsopoulos had Connecticut experience but no Florida experience. Vice Mayor Fink said that Mr. Metsopoulos’ experience did not relate to town management. Commissioner Dodge agreed that Mr. Metsopoulos did not have the right profile. The consensus was that Mr. Metsopoulos was not considered a final candidate.
The sixth candidate evaluated was Ms. Janice Moore. Vice Mayor Fink stated that she was strong on experience as a town clerk and it appeared that she liked challenges. Commissioner Bennett agreed. Mayor Sussman said that she had work for a town manager, not as a town manager. Commissioner Polin remarked that she worked for Manalapan, a town similar in characteristics to Hillsboro Beach. Commissioner Dodge agreed and added that her resume reflected great achievements. The consensus was that Ms. Moore should be considered a final candidate.
The seventh candidate evaluated was Ms. Emma Moorehead. Commissioner Dodge stated that she was not on his interview list. Mayor Sussman noted that she has no governmental experience at all. The consensus was that Ms. Moorehead was not considered a final candidate.
The eighth candidate evaluated was Mr. Wayne O’Neal. Commissioner Dodge stated that Mr. O’Neal was not on his final list. Mayor Sussman noted that Mr. O’Neal had no Florida experience. Vice Mayor Fink stated that Mr. O’Neal had broad experience as a manager and that he was certain that Mr. O’Neal could quickly learn Florida law. Commissioner Dodge noted that Mr. O’Neal had a huge budget and a huge staff and that he was not sure whether he would fit in. Mayor Sussman stated that he did not want Mr. O’Neal to come down from Michigan for an interview if there was little chance he would be hired. Commissioner Dodge and Polin agreed. The consensus was that Mr. O’Neal was not considered a final candidate, but would be considered if the other final candidates were eliminated.
The ninth candidate evaluated was Mr. Steve Uman. Mayor Sussman stated that Mr. Uman’s background was in building and zoning. Commissioner Bennett said he remembered Mr. Uman from a previous interview and that it would be expensive to hire him. The consensus was that Mr. Uman was not considered a final candidate.
The tenth candidate evaluated was Mr. Dennis White. The consensus was that Mr. White did not have the appropriate background and was not considered a final candidate.
Mayor Sussman expressed his sense of urgency to hire a replacement manager and suggested that a Special Meeting be held Friday, November 3 at 4:00 p.m. Discussion ensued as to whether each commissioner could attend. Commissioner Dodge said that he would be away, but could attend by telephone. Commissioner Polin agreed that the sooner a meeting could be held the better as a selected candidate may have to give notice. Mr. Mearns said that he would contact each selected candidate and advise them of the meeting date.
3. Approval of Minutes.
3.1 September 12, 2006 Regular Meeting Minutes.
Approved.
3.2 September 14, 2006 First Budget Hearing Minutes.
Approved
3.2 September 28, 2006 Second Budget Hearing Minutes.
Approved.
September 28, 2006 Special Meeting Minutes.
Approved.
3.5 October 3, 2006 Regular Meeting Minutes.
Approved with corrections.
3.6 October 17, 2006 Special Meeting Minutes.
Approved with corrections.
Motion made by Commissioner Polin to approve the minutes as corrected, sec onded
by Vice Mayor Fink. Motion passed unanimously
4. Challenge Grant Status Report.
Mr. Mearns reviewed the progress on finalizing the grant. He noted that a meeting had been held with Mr. Richard Allen, Broward County Grants Coordinator and that Mr. Mearns had provided the C.O. of the Police Station and Community Room, invoices and matching checks, and a draft of the sign that is to be placed in the Community Room. He Mr. Mearns reported that Mr. Allen had said that the submission was complete and that he would forward it to the County finance department for payment which would likely be at the end of November.
5. June, July, September Financial Reports.
Commissioner Dodge stated that the May Financial Report was overstated and that Ms. Perez had gone back and reconciled the accounts so that the September Financial Report settles out the true condition of the accounts. Commissioner Dodge recommended that all of the past year’s financial reports should be corrected. He also suggested that the Town should have someone input the financial information into the Peachtree accounting system. Commissioner Polin stated that the Town’s auditors should be contacted to sign-ff on the system of accounts that are input into the Peachtree system.
Motion was made by Commissioner Polin that Commissioner Dodge’s suggestion to correct past financial reports be done and that Ms. Perez be asked to create the input information for Peachtree, seconded by Vice Mayor Fink. Motion passed unanimously.
6. Consider Proposal From Walter Keller To Prepare EAR Based Amendments.
Mr. Walter Keller reviewed the status of the Evaluation and Appraisal (EAR) Report he had conducted on the Town’s Comprehensive Plan that was submitted in June 2005. He stated that the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) had given the Town eighteen months to process the required amendments to the Plan, but due to hurricanes and other matters, he had not begun them. He stated that writing the amendments was not difficult, but that processing them was problematic. Commissioner Polin asked about the hourly rate. Mr. Keller explained that the hourly rate would only apply if he were requested to go outside the scope of the proposed contract. Commissioner Dodge stated that certification by the Planning Council could be extra. Commissioner Polin asked if there were any penalties for not complying by the deadline. Mr. Keller answered that the only penalty would be that the Town would not be allowed to amend its Comprehensive Plan in the interim. Commissioner Dodge asked Mr. Keller when his rates went up. Mr. Keller explained that in September 2006 when his insurance rates were increased. Commissioner Polin asked if there was potential for a financial penalty for not submitting the required documents on time. Mr. Keller responded that he had never seen a financial penalty assessed by DCA .
Motion made by Vice Mayor Fink to approve Mr. Keller’s contract, seconded by Commissioner Bennett. Motion passed unanimously.
7. Water Plant Engineering Report Update.
Mr. Mearns reported that the hazardous waste and eighty cubic yards of trash and debris had been removed from the plant site, that fire extinguishers had been placed, and that the engineering firm was in the process of on-site visits to the plant and water tank area in the rear of Town Hall. He stated that the engineering report would be on the November 14 Town Commission agenda. Commissioner Dodge inquired about the cameras at the plant site, and whether they were operational. Mr. Mearns reported that he had requested that Chief Brugnoni contact the provider of camera surveillance at the police station to analyze the system and provide several options to the Commission for the November 14 meeting. Commissioner Dodge inquired as the status of the safety inspection by the worker’s compensation provider at the plant. Mr. Mearns responded that he had not heard back from the provider, but would inquire again.
8. Investment Management Services Letter of Interest Update.
Mr. Mearns reported that he had placed an advertisement in the newspaper, had it posted on the Town’s website, and had mailed it to the vendors attached to the specifications the Commission had approved. He stated that he had received several inquiries regarding the Letters of Interest.
9. Enclave Permitting Update.
Mr. John Kennely Jr. explained that the permitting process was quite lengthy and complicated, but they had secured all of the required permits and all were active and in force. He reviewed the DEP Consent Order that they were operating under. Mayor Sussman asked about the status of the Town building permit. Mr. Kennely Jr. provided copies of the permit card that showed the permit had the requisite inspections and was active. Mayor Sussman stated that the permit was extended by the Town Commission in October 2005 and Mr. Kennely had paid the permit fee at that time. Commissioner Polin asked if the work had originally started without a permit. Mr. Kennely Jr. stated that the commencement of work without a permit was the fault of the contractor, Quaalman Marine, not the owner. Commissioner Polin asked what the inspections are for and Mr. Kennely Jr. answered for uplands work. Commissioner Polin stated that he lived next to the property and he saw no activity. Mr. Kennely stated that he would like to finish the project in three months. Commissioner Dodge stated that the patience of the Town had been tested and that good will is a mutual exchange.
10. Municipal Underground Utilities Consortium Update.
Commissioner Polin stated that the Municipal Underground Utilities Consortium had filed a case with the Public Service Commission to force Florida Power and Light to provide a larger share of the cost of providing underground utilities, and expects a ruling in November from the Public Service Commission.
11. Rodney Main Reimbursement/Compensation Request.
Mayor Sussman stated that the Town should pay Mr. Main the full amount owed him for his sick and vacation time as well as the reimbursement for his recent travel that was approved by the Commission.
Motion was made by Commissioner Polin to pay Mr. Main for his sick and vacation time and the travel reimbursement, seconded by Vice Mayor Fink. Motion passed unanimously.
12. David Denman Unemployment Claim.
Interim Town Attorney Pam Maugham explained the basis for unemployment claims and the appeal process. Commissioner Polin stated that the lateness of water bills was in and of itself an example of misfeasance and should be the basis for contesting the claim. Mayor Sussman stated that he had asked Mr. Denman to resign and he had done so. Commissioner Dodge stated that the Commission had not asked for his resignation, the Mayor did. Commissioner Polin suggested that the attorney look into the claim further and the matter be placed on the November 14 agenda for further discussion. The suggestion was approved by consensus.
13. List of Work Commission Expects Mr. Mearns to Complete Prior to Departure.
Commissioner Polin stated that all issues he had had been taken care of. There was no further comment by any other Commissioners.
The Mayor requested that matter of Town Attorney selection was be placed on the November 14 agenda for ranking, and that a Special Meeting be set for November 14 at 4 P.M. to select the attorney. The suggestion was approved by consensus.
14. Adjournment.
7:42 P.M.
MINUTES APPROVED BY
TOWN COMMISSION ON
November 14, 2006 ATTESTED TO
______________________________
Ms. Irene George, Acting Town Clerk