It is now 1:30 and welcome to the Town of Highland Beach Town Commission meeting. Um, and I'd like to call the meeting to order. May we have the roll call, please? Commissioner Chinatski, Commissioner Goldberg, present. Commissioner Peters, present.
Vice Mayor Stern, present. Mayor Moore, present. Town Manager Labyt, present. and town attorney Ruben. Thank you. If we could all rise for the pledge. I aliance of the
indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Um are there is one change to the agenda that I'm aware of. Um we are going to um uh push the epoch blood analysis presentation to the next meeting. So
item 6A uh we will push to the next meeting. Any other changes to the agenda? No other changes. Okay. If none could do we have a do we have a motion please? Motion to approve a um we have Go ahead. motion in accordance with uh
the mayor. We're going to push it forward. Right. I second it. Thank you. So that's a motion to approve the agenda as amended. Yes. All in favor say I. I. Motion carries. Next item on the agenda is the annual comprehensive financial report for
fiscal year ending September 30th, 2024. Welcome. Afternoon September 30th, 2024. Great. Thank you. So, I'm going to be The last time I had the technical difficulties, at least this time it's on
the screen. That's right. That's right. We're making progress. Okay, here we go. Let's begin. So, I'll start off by first saying why we need an audit. Then I'll jump into some financial highlights for our
fiscal year and I'll move into the auditor's opinion. So why do we need a government audit? Um we need our auditors or an independent party to verify our financials
to state that what we say we're doing is what we're we're actually doing. So one of the main reasons is um we need to verify that our resources are recorded and reported accurately. Secondly, we
need compliance to ensure that we're compliant with laws and regulations as it's states or or state and um federal laws as well as internal control and evaluation. At the town here, we have a
robust internal control system and so we ensure that all our um we follow our pro procedures and processes and and finally we need to have our audits for decision making purposes. So by giving accurate
and concise and verifiable information, it helps the board as well as our manager here to make good decisions for the town as a whole. So our financial highlights. So first I'm going to touch on our net position.
So net position is a key indicator of the town's long-term financial health. And for fiscal year 2024, our net position actually grew by 11.7%.
So we were at 26.3 million last year and at the end of FY24 we were at 29.4 million. And so I we've broken out the fund balance or net position year-over-year
um by the different funds. So overall our total net position as I stated in the previous slide was 26.18 million and for the general fund um our ending net position was 8.2
or 8 8.3 million. The billing department was just under 3.6 million and for the water and sewer it was 9.9 and 3.4 million respectively. So overall, all funds showed positive increases in the
net position for FY24, which is amazing. Next, I've broken out the fund balances by the the major funds. So, we're looking at the beautiful fire station,
the nighttime view, and um that was one of our major highlights for FY 2024. And so we ended with 8.3 million and we grew by 1.2 million. And this our growth was
attributable to the property tax increases and as well as the debt that was issued to fund completion of the fire department. And of course we've our
revenues increased. However, we our public safety costs increase accordingly. Next, I'm going to go into the building department fund. So, the building department ended with 3.6 6 million and
they grew 76,000 over the prior year and this was driven by our interlocal agreement with Gulfream and that continues to do well even in this fiscal year as well as the
growth in investment income for last year. So we did really well last year with our investments. Next I'm going to jump to the water and sewer fund. So that revenue increased modestly $61,000
and that was primarily due to the rate adjustments that were approved as well as also investment income returns. So that was spread across the funds and so all the funds benefited from those invest sound investment um decisions
that were were made by the town. Um so we continue to invest in our or infrastructure and improvement and continuous um completion of projects that we had in the year prior.
So I've also broken down the net position by the revenues and the expenses. So overall the revenues for FY24 with the governmental and the business type activities was 27.1
million and so our net position by um increase was 3 mill over $3 million. So our expenses for the governmental fund was
18.6 million. The business type was 5.4 4 million. Um we had transfers. It's transfers between departments. So it's transfers from the um the business type activities into the general fund.
Um we have our breakdown of our assets for the year as well in the second the bottom of the slide. So our assets, our town assets increased by 6.1 million. Of course, primarily most of that is attributable to that beautiful fire
station we have out front. Um, so we overall increased our assets and for the business type activities we increased by um 3 point um overall pardon.
So overall, our our town assets increased by 6.1 million. Um here's a breakdown of the debt by business type activities as well as the governmental funds. So our we
retired one of our water um loans last year, which is great. So we we're spending less on debt service because we retired that loan. However, we um increased our debt for the general fund
by the $4.5 million that we um retained from Senovas Bank for construction of the um fire department. So this loan was a great loan because we didn't start drawing down. It was structured where we drew down money as needed. So, as far as
the interest, we did not in start to incur interest when we signed the agreement. Um, and the rates were phenomenal because I think it was like 3.5 or less percent and given what interest rates are today, it was great
timing on our part. So I'm the final um phase of our this presentation is our audit opinion and get again another year we received a clean audit opinion from our auditors
Nolan Holt minor. So I just want to pause to say that clean audits are by no means a coincident. It it's not coincidence. It's hard work on the team on on the part of our team
here at Highland Beach. So, it's it's the direction of the board here or tone at the top from our manager Marshall Labod and the collaboration of all of the department heads and their staff to get us here. So, this report was not
just a finance report. It was a all team town Highland Beach report. And so we hear in the news all the time, these horror stories of people, you know, misappropriation of funds. We don't have that problem here because we have robust
internal controls and we have oversight from the board and we also have our audits completed on time. This year, our audit is a little bit later than we expected. Although we did meet the state's deadline, we wanted to be
complete uh around April. Um but based on the unprecedented year that we had with the multiple and unique transactions by way of the fire station, we weren't able to complete it by that deadline, but we did we're making progress for
this year's for FY25 audit. Um so in 2023 we had zero audit findings. However, for 2024 we had some difference with how we capitalize our assets. So the auditors requested that we changed
how we capitalize the assets. So assets that we based on our procedures did not meet the capitalization threshold based on the dollar amount. They wanted us to group it and that's what caused us to have those findings. So it was nothing to do
with dollars. It it it was just a difference of of opinion as to how we capitalize those assets. And so with that said um we did capitalize this way. So
in the aggregate it it met threshold but on the indiv individual basis it did not meet the threshold. So again um that concludes my presentation. Again I want to thank Marshall and the team
here for allowing me to give this presentation because again as I said earlier it was a team effort on all our parts and I'm happy that we did deliver another clean audit. So look forward to next year presenting again. Okay, great. Well, I wanted to give
everyone an opportunity to ask any questions. Are there any questions? It's a question and it's also a statement. Uh I think the auditing group is a recipient of the hard work of a a tremendous group. Marshall, you should be commended. Uh looking at the the new asset increase, looking at the debt
decrease, uh and looking at the health of the organization, uh I can only say just a great job and we should be very proud of retaining everybody that's in place. Thank you. I would repeat those sentiments. Yes, absolutely. Thank you.
Yeah, I just like to repeat that too. It there's a team here and uh and thank you all the department heads and everything and Marshall and everything and this what makes it and I love to see we put more money in reserves every year and that's what we have. Thank you. Uh I would totally agree and going through
this booklet and the few minor things or recommendations really minor guys did just an outstanding job. Thank you. And again it starts with a tone at the top which yes congratulations on a clean audit. It is a lot of work on the team on the team
to have everything everything recorded correctly and and um in accordance with all the the guidance that they give you from the the standards of practice. You have to like keep up on all those
standards. So kudos to you, you know. Then you have this independent, you know, that are uh this independent review team that's reviewing it all. So to have a clean audit with just very minor recommendations is really a a fantastic result.
I thank you. And again, Marshall places a lot of emphasis on training and so there's always ongoing training to keep up with all the standards and best practices in our finance industry. So that helps.
His review will come up later. I give you the money later. So, um that's that's a focus and we try to um as best as possible. David always says, you know, it's like doing laundry.
We don't let things pile up here. So, we we try to keep our information as to current as possible because that makes for good decision making. Um cuz we can't we don't know if we spent it and we didn't record it, how do we know that we still have funds available?
Absolutely. So that's what we try to do here. So thank you. Absolutely. Yeah. And I just want to highlight my presentation. And there's just one thing I want to read out loud. It's in the conclusion and I thought it was um very good. The town of Highland Beach continues to demonstrate sound financial management,
strong fiscal discipline and strategic investment and critical infrastructure and public safety. And so I just think that's, you know, a a terrific statement, you know, for these auditors to put in here. And uh you know congratulations to the team on on such a good result. So and thank you very much
for all your work. Thank you Richie. Rich you can quote her on the you can put it in the coastal star like an accounting story. Well thank you very much for the presentation. Uh next item public comments. Are there any public comments?
Okay seeing no public comments. Uh, ordinances, there are none. Consent agenda, there there are none. Unfinished business. Continued discussion on temporary signage. Item 10A. Good afternoon. Ingred Allen, Town
Planner. Yeah, I will. right now, but yeah, shared. Okay, perfect. Okay. All right. Um, so on page uh 69 of your packets, I provided you some background
information on the commission's previous discussion that you had on temporary signage. Uh, this uh took place on March 4th of 2025. Um, at that meeting, the commission was provided information on the current regulations that we have in our code regarding temporary signage.
That's on page 86 of your packets. Uh, consensus from the commission at that March 4th meeting was that you wanted to continue the discussion and you wanted to look at what other municipalities offer in terms of temporary signage. And I've gone ahead and provided a table on
page 100 and page 101 of your packets. Um when you look at that table there's three municipalities that are included. Uh the city of Carl Gables, the town of Palm Beach, and the town of Manalapan. And why these three municipalities were chosen because if the commission recalls
at that March 4th, 2025 meeting, you had resident uh Maggie Chapelier. She provided a PowerPoint presentation and uh she used these three municipalities as examples of what she thought would be some good uh sign temporary sign regulations. So that's why I
incorporated those. Um now when you look at the maximum size for the temporary signs, um these three municipalities, I will say the signs that are related specifically to real estate, the size of the signs are much smaller than what we allow in the town. So now there's a lot
of nuance there and I'll get to that in just a moment, but I just kind of want to put that out there. Um, I did also want to state that um the commission at the March 4th meeting, you also asked for examples, physical examples of temporary signs that we have in the town. Um, I did note in your staff
report that according to our code compliance officer, he hasn't pulled any non-conforming signs since March. But that said, he went ahead and provided some photographs of temporary signs that we currently have. He put the the date and the time, actually the location of
of where those are located. And um actually I have those here on the PowerPoint and we could show that right now. Let me share my screen. I did. Let's see.
Uh again, I already had it up. Oh, here. There it is. Share. I got it. Yeah. There you go. Okay. Um, see here on beginning. Okay. So, um, here we have a sign. This is at 2711 South Ocean Boulevard.
Um, here we have another one at 2565 South Ocean Boulevard. There's another one here. That one is at um 2366 South Ocean Boulevard. And then we have 3700 South Ocean
Boulevard. Now, this one here is at 4301 Tranquility Drive. I was advised from the code compliance officer that there is a code case on this one. Um he did go out there and reme-measure it and it is over the four square feet. So, there is a case on that one.
And here we have one at 20 uh 4316 South Ocean Boulevard. And here we have one at 11:21 Belair Drive. I was advised by the co- compliance officer that this one is in the rightway. So there's a code case on this one as well.
And here we have uh 10:07 Belair Drive, 11:01 Russell Drive, we have 4715 South Ocean Boulevard, and then we have 1120 Highland Beach Drive.
So, this gives you a little bit of perspective. I also brought today a board. I think it's I'm sure you all can figure a four a four four square foot sign, but just for some perspective, this board here is 20 by 30.
Um, so this is a little bit over four square feet. It's like 4.1 square feet. Um, and uh the 40 square inches that you see from the other municipalities, this is what a 40 square inch, eight inches by five inches. Um so I wanted to now
look at the tables and again if we go to page 100 um as I me uh mentioned uh there is a little bit of nuance here. So here you have the city of Coral Gables and for real estate construction and professional affiliation signs um the
maximum size they can be is 40 square in. Now this is specific to single family and certain multif family uh zoning districts. Now again, there's some nuance here. When you look at the city of Coral Gable's code, it says you can add an additional 40 square inch
sign, but it has to contain the certain has to contain certain words or certain information. So this is what they require. The sign is either has to say by appointment only. It has to say either the word open, the word sold, or
the listing agent's name and telephone number. So that additional 40 square inch sign is limited. Certain um information that can be provided. Uh for Coral Gables uh for non-residential districts um you could see that the maximum size of the sign is 16 square
ft. Uh the town of Palm Beach when you look at the for sale again these are the real estate related signs uh rental signs um it's 40 square inches. Now, I do want to make a note here that that is specific for single family homes. Um, in
zoning districts where you have higher densities, uh, the maximum size of the sign can vary anywhere from two square feet up to 20 square ft. So, you're starting to see a little bit of a pattern here, at least with Coral Gables and Tana Palm Beach, that the zoning district plays a role here. In our code,
we don't differentiate between zoning districts. We don't differentiate between political signs versus real estate signs. And as you can see in other municipalities they do um on page 101 of your packets town of Manalapan again for real estate signs again for
sale or for rent there's that 40 square in um and then for open houses which is kind of interesting the maximum size for that sign is 80 square in. And then for non-commercial signs uh these are again pol this this these would be political
signs the maximum size is six square feet. And again, a little bit of nuance here. Uh you could see for non-commercial signs, when you look at the time limit, it says you have to remove it upon conclusion of an event, but they have another provision in their code for non-commercial signs that are
not associated with an event. Uh they are permitted at all times. So these would be um like an allegiance to a sports team or a school. They actually give that example in their code. So just wanted to um clarify that. In English, you're addressing non-political signs, correct?
Um well, it really depends. Um some uh some are some aren't. um the the non-commercial signs. Let's say if we're looking at the town of Manalipan, that would be a political sign. But for our purpose, are we addressing non signs? Well, it's really up to the commission
what direction. Again, our code right now, we just say temporary signs. And when you look at the definition, temporary signs, it includes everything. It's real estate, it's political. So, uh that's something the commission would want to discuss if you want staff to move forward and break it down by political versus real estate and other
non-commercial signs. So again, we're just kind of showing you what's out there in other municipalities. And then on the bottom of uh 101, you'll see the regulations that we have in the town. You know, again, you can have a four four maximum signs, four square feet. Again, we don't differentiate between
whether it's a political sign or a real estate sign. Um and uh that's pretty much it in a nutshell. Um, I'll be glad to address any questions that you may have, any direction that I could provide. Or you I have a question. Um, could you refresh
our memory on the legal like was it what? So, or maybe a little bit on the history because we used to have a more restrictive sign. Um, and then it changed. I'm not sure why. Um, could you refresh? Yeah. So the reason it changed is there was a Supreme Court decision that came
out 2015ish um that said you could not regulate temporary signs based on content. So you can regulate where they're located, you could regulate the size, but you cannot
regulate the content. So I believe I didn't do I think it was Brian. I can't remember who drafted it, but it was before me. Um, so we revised our sign regulations to comply with that decision. Um, since then there's been a little give. So like the ones that
Ingret's going over, Palm Beach, Manalapan, do they technically comply with all the legal requirements? Probably not. Um, there is some case law recently where you have a little more leeway to regulate commercial versus non-commercial, but your non-commercial
signs, you really can't differentiate based on the content. Um, you can maybe have different regulations for commercial versus non-commercial, but again, you're supposed to stay away from content. People still regulate the
political signs differently. It's probably not defensible if you were sued over it. Um, most most municipalities retain that distinction and didn't, you know, if they weren't challenged, they didn't go ahead and change everything. Ours is totally defensible. Now, is it too much signage?
That's a policy decision for you all to decide how big they should be and all that kind of stuff. But, you know, there's no question that our current sign code does comply with with the legal standards because we don't get into content at all really. Hey, Len, I have a question, Len. Um, do
we have the legal right to standardize the signs though? You could standardize them. Sure. So, I think what Maggie showed us is that she's trying to avoid a circus looking atmosphere for the commercial signs, for like the for sale, for rent signs. Um, sure. And
as I said, you have a little more um play with the commercial. They're not the scrutiny that they um examine the regulations for the commercial science is not as strict as the non-commercial or political or free speech signs, whatever you want to call them. So when you make the distinction
commercial or not, you're not saying signs that are on commercial. No, no, I'm sorry. Have a commercial message. So those are your for sale for lease versus your political, your go Panthers, your whatever free speech sign because and then there's generally a provision in every sign code that says
that you can put a nonpol, you know, like a I don't know if we have it in ours, but basically that you could have a free speech sign as long as you meet the you know, if you wanted to make some sort of statement, you can do that as long as you comply with the size and location standards. And I have a
question with respect to that case and the and the the size. Uh if if I remember correctly, Maggie complained that uh a number of the signs would be stacked. So what is our legal position on that? And you don't have to allow the stacking.
You could I mean number and size are all fair game. It's just when you get into content that we have to be careful. But number, size, location, those are all time, place, manner, those are all fair game. And what about the uh length of time that it can sit there?
The length of time, you should just be consistent. So, you know, people still treat political science differently, but if it relates to an event, then it has to be taken whatever the day, you know, taken down within 3 days, the event or whatever the case may be. You can you can add time constraints. Again, those
are sort of time, place, and manner. So, those are also fair. What are we doing as far as what have we been doing up to date uh with compliance? I mean, I would assume that our building officials Well, I I think I said there's two codeas
and since these pictures were done, there's some additional code cases that the co-compliance officer advised me of this week. Um, so yeah, these out remember temporary signs, you don't need a permit. So, it's not like these things are coming into the building department and being reviewed by staff. You don't need a permit. he could put the sign
out. So, do any of these jurisdictions, these three uh uh towns or cities, um do they have any do they require permitting for any of this? I don't believe for temporary signs, they don't require a permit. I I've never Yeah, for temporary signs,
I've never seen one that required a permit. I think Ocean Ridge does. Oh, yeah. Ocean, but they require a permit for Yeah. for I know for real estate sign for sure. And they have also um I don't even know if it's 40 square inches. I think
it might even be smaller. I'm not maybe it's 40 square inches. But well, there was again certain parameters that I put. I mean when you look at the regulations or pages and pages. So I try to keep it simple with max number, max size, minimum setback, max height time. And you didn't even put ocean ridge up
there, but I'm just saying for the conversation. Ocean Ridge does require like a $5 permit, you know, and I think it's just They just want to That's one way they handle it. Yeah. Have we had any other comment uh from our community other than what Maggie had
presented? I personally haven't received any public comment. Um I don't believe the clerk did before we used to get it around election time for political signs because technically we say no signs in the rightway. Most people put the signs in the rightway or they don't really know where the
rightway lines or they want to argue that they know where their rightway lines are for the common. So, we've used softer approaches 2 feet on the, you know, west side of the pathway up against the poles on the electric sign for the east side because there's a 100
foot rightway. So, nothing should be in there. Not even real estate sign should be in there. Um, but we get a lot of flack for that. So, we kind of have to find some common ground on those because it gets sensitive. But technically, nothing should be in the rightway.
Should be up in your yard basically. So, So for me one one question for us to consider is uh the distinction between a commercial sign and a non-commercial sign if we want to make that kind of distinction in our ordinance.
Um because could we you know this 40 square inches we could apply that to polit all signs. We could apply that political science to all signs. Yes. if that was your choice. Right. Or you could just standardize the um for
sale for rent signs to a specific size. Now that's a Can you hold that one up again? So we see that's very small, right? Yeah. Those Yes, those are those little square inches. Um do you rec do you recall what the Highland Beach size was before the 25? I
think it's it was actually bigger than the 8x5. It was I forget what it was, but it was bigger. Um, and you can see some of these existing signs, right? See the waterfront? It's probably around this size. These little, you know, small signs above. And there's another one
here that has it. Yeah. Like that ocean access on the bottom. It's probably around this size. It's a little bit longer. So, what if there what if there are more than one unit in a multi-unit uh st uh property? Can they put two
signs out out of four units or are they limited or they have to be combined or Right. So in our code it says four signs per parcel. So per parcel. So we have some condos it's one big parcel. So they would be limited to four. And then you
have single family homes its own individual parcel. Then they could have four on that individual residence. Yeah. Most of the signs that we're looking at are real estate signs. Yeah. Um, and I I think yeah, we haven't had too many. Well, at least not for our own political, you
know, for us, but I guess maybe for the presidential most people just put it on their yards. Um, the president when the presidential election comes up, we don't have a ton. I don't think at this last election I
don't know that we had a ton but we have a problem standardizing the commercial side of it because 90% of these signs plus are surely not political right so if I think we addressed uh the
commercial side size in the size we could possibly standardize that sign right now the unfortunate part is if I was in the real estate business uh in my office right now with an inventory of different type of signs. Um I'm not sure how I would be affected
by it, but it would be easier for us to standardize that sign. Yeah, I I can comment on that. Um so I I'll say when when you whatever the signage regulation is, every realtor is going to go to the maximum, right? But if you know, Highland Beach does a
smaller sign, I I know I personally, as a realtor, let you know, so everyone knows. Um, I would be happy to comply. I I'm in favor. So, just to put it out there, I'm in favor of smaller signs. Um, I like what some of these other towns do. Manalapan, Ocean Ridge, you
know, Coral Gables, town of um of Palm Beach. I do. And what ends up happening is when you make everyone comply with those smaller signs, then you kind of tune your your vision and you look for
those smaller signs and they're just as visible as the bigger signs and and not as much of an eyesore. So, I know I personally would be fine with complying with something smaller, 40 square inches and all that. and and whether or not you
have signs in your inventory to create more signs is minimal expense. It's it's really that isn't even a a consideration. Um, so I would be in favor of
um moving forward and making a distinction between the commercial signs and the non-commercial signs and doing something similar to what all the uh, you know, all the other towns that we have up there. Um, I think it does make
it look a lot nicer and it's in my opinion just as effective. Especially with the internet now. Honestly, I I don't even get signs off I don't even really get calls off the signs anymore. It's all through what they f what people find on the internet. So,
I I agree. I agree. and and especially if it you know my concern in balancing it you have the safety issue the aesthetics uh that that clutter um and and after all the the condominians they don't have the science I mean and the as
you say the internet is really I think a major uh draw of a pull of um what's out there it's an identifier it's how people identify so if it doesn't um I haven't heard any complaints from the real estate
realtors, the real estate board. And I also would be in favor of a smaller sign. Um, but I think we should also look at, are we limiting it to one sign? Is there going to be many signs? Will there be the
stacking? There's also, um, the polls that we see, the polls are very large. Um, I think we should deal with that. Perhaps that could be an eyesore. Um, the smaller signs don't need a pole. They don't. They don't. So, I don't know
whether we have to uh refer to that. So, normally for those 40 square inch signs, um, it's a stake. It's not the white post. It's a metal stake.
So, and I I don't remember if that stake if there's more than just the sign that's regulated in those other Yeah. Um me pull that up. Ingred, if if according to stack, going back to stacking, if we whatever we put
for the maximum size four square feet ever, if their real estate sign is four square feet, then they can't put an extra sign on top like waterfront or um water view or whatever on it or can they
make their real estate signs smaller and compensate the four square feet or whatever we choose with that sign? Would that be illegal? Yeah, and I discussed this with the building official. So Jeff, maybe you could jump in. Um, so you can have four signs. So as long as
they meet the parameters, right? So if you have a little one that says water access, that's one, right? You saw there were three that were stacked, they're still in compliance, they can have a separate one on that property to make it four. I believe that's how we are interpreting it. Yes.
And just I I agree with everything that's been said that just to reiterate a condominium on A1A can also override and say no signs on the property. That correct? Absolutely. So we don't Yeah. An HOA or a condominium
association or homeowner association could always have more strict regulations and most of the times do. So I'm in favor of one sign 40 square in that's which is that small one. And I don't know if you want to hold that up again, which is 8 by um five.
Yeah. One sign, just a stake. If we were all consistent with that, I would be happy to comply. Does that give enough room? I mean, I understand that doesn't have to be exactly in that size, but the Yeah, the total does that give a real a
realtor enough space to put their their name, their telephone number, and uh that it's it's for rent or sale. Is that sufficient? It does. So, what you're suggesting is not to have uh the four sides regulation. You
could limit it to one on a steak. On a steak. And then another thing we could do too is only allow white or black. No colors. That's another thing that Ocean Ridge does.
It's It can only be white and black really, which is kind of nice, too. Um, it makes it uh standard. Yes, very standard. It it it identifies that that there's something
for sale in that property. And if someone were, you know, and it would have the and it and it typically would say, you know, um offered by, you know, the realtor, their phone number, and usually like a
their uh brokerage name. Um so if someone were interested, you have the phone number there, but you would also look up that address on the internet very very easily. So, um,
lots of other cities do that and I think they have an ocean. So, no, do we need input? I mean, imagine we need us. So, today was okay, you kind of like the idea. Next is where do we send it for further review?
And if you do want it, Ingred in concert with Mr. Rubin would start to draft some. And generally this is where I would suggest using your planning board to uh start vetting through some of this. Have public meetings on the topic and then make a recommendation um back
to this commission for do you like it and if you do then we'll come back yet again for the first read, second read and make those changes. So there's still a handful of steps but at this point if you like the idea of making that change for the commercial type signs I would
also we talk about duration or the planning board can talk about duration. what is temporary. So that would be great like temporary signs three years or is temporary signs six month those type of things and then it'll come back to us with a series of recommendations from the planning board.
I like that that we ask the planning board to take a look at um for commercial you know right now our initial step maybe to look at commercial signs um to limit it to this size and to have some definition of what temporary means. I mean, I kind of like a certain
amount of time after an event. I kind of like that because things take longer to sell or quicker to sell depending and you know event election days after election pull for your signs that got but this but election that would be different right political signs are not
um no I mean a political sign is limited is you're addressing a specific event so you can do but whatever durational like they have to remove they can only be placed how many days before and removed so many days after that should apply to anything related to an event whether it relates to an election or some other
special event that might be going on. So, our recommendation though is to separate make a distinction between commercial and you want to you want to uniform your commercial signage and make it smaller and then we could also look at the temporary signs and the duration and all that kind of stuff.
Defining what it means the uh temporary sign. Correct. And make that distinction as to the election signs. Well, the I would just the commercial versus non-commercial. Okay. Uh, do you need a a motion to send it? No, it would help. Yeah, let's make a clear motion.
Memorialize it for the minutes and stuff. Well, I'll move to uh send the issue um on our uh agenda today 10A uh to the planning board for um uh further review
and comment. And can we clarify can we clarify that we like the 40 square inches? Like can we make that a little bit more specific that we like the 40 square inches for the commercial signs that we think that is something
two color and I like two color personally black and white. Yeah to include the uh the commission's um recommendations suggestions I'll second that. Okay.
All in favor say I. I. Okay. Thank you very much everyone and thank you for presenting that. Very good. Okay. Next item, new business consideration to approve the employee healthc care program fiscal year 2025
2026 and authorize the town manager to execute the program. So um as I've always said, this is kind of the cornerstone of our uh compensation from fringe benefit package is our healthcare. So, um, we went out to the marketplace, uh, Blue Cross Blue
Shield, first response was 18.56% increase. Um, after I got up off the ground, uh, I called the broker. Uh, so Mr. Ryan Gold does a really good job for us, uh, so we spoke and our team with, uh, DJR, our HR manager, sent him out on
the mission to reduce those costs, um, and also to solicit proposals from other firms. other firms were comparable cost, slightly different benefits, but we wanted to stay consistent and you had another year with Blue Cross. Uh, so he was able to get down to 9.44%.
Um, what was interesting is when I did those calculations and took into account that employees do the buys, we offer two plans. A solid base plan is very solid, very good, low deductibles, low cop, great, but if they want, they can buy up to a more advanced program. They cover
those premium costs. So once we calculate the contributions of those employees, our total increase was about 6.44%. So we did meet our target, our budgeted target of uh like 7 and a4%. So we did come a little bit under um our
projection and we're hoping that uh the basis by which they you know claims and they use that in the aggregate with actuarials to figure out what they should be charged. You know we're hoping some of those we had a little bit more on the claim side this year. those should hopefully subside a little bit
and we should be able to hold again moving forward. So, um because it met the budget, um I'm I'm seeking your recommendation to move forward with the Blue Cross Blue Shield with the teal tiered HR program to continue that on as the cornerstone of our comp package. So,
um it it worked out well. I got nervous. I I'm sure told you I was nervous. So, uh, I'm glad that it all came in, uh, on on target and Ryangold, uh, did do a remarkable job yet again for us, uh, negotiating with Blue Cross and Blue Share.
Very impressive. The numbers very impressive. Yes. Thank you to our broker. I mean, we we all know that these costs, you know, really are escalating and so the fact that we could get under our projected what we
used in our projections is really an excellent result. Our family grew. We now have the the fire part of our family uh incorporated. So, we're a bigger group. Uh sometimes you get better rates because you're a bigger group, but you also have more claims and that kind of rebalances a bit. So, uh this is good.
Good. I'm in favor. Any other comments about it? Okay. If none, if we could have a motion. Motion. Yes. Uh, I move to authorize the town manager to execute for year 2025 2026 the employee healthcare program.
Second that. All in favor say I. I. Motion carries. Resolution number 2025-020. a resolution of the town commission of the town of Highland Beach, Florida, adopting a merit increase policy for non
union employees, excluding fire rescue shift personnel and amending the town of Highland Beach salary table and providing for an effective date. So, uh, as our annual exercise, we do this every year to set or establish one the merit
increases for, uh, the non-union or andor fire shift because they're on a step plan as well when we started that, uh, department. Um, and it also to our salary tables. As I said, we've been on this exercise over the last two and a half, three years. We got a couple more
years to get our salary tables for all classified positions in the right spot in a little bit more closer to the statewide averages. Uh so we're continuing that. So we also then adjust uh the table to the CPI for the 12-month
rolling CPI through the end of August which is issued on September 11th as we did the last couple years. It provides that consistency that you know regardless of merit at least the the position banding is growing in the marketplace to the area inflation. It's
not CPI of Nebraska, it's CPI of South Florida. So it's a little more uh relatable to us and more localized. So uh those two steps we uh I'm recommending the 6% um across the board merit for all um performers uh
successful evaluations. Um what you see across the board is anywhere from 3 to seven in the marketplace. Uh uh seven is an outlier. Uh the county I think went with six. I'm recommending six. Couple other towns are
a little bit lower, but um as we've been talking, the performance of the team, Susie, thank you for saying that again. You know, the team makes this thing work. You know, the dream works requires the teamwork. So, um you know, 6% I think is good. It holds within our budget. We're we're in
good shape. So, I'm looking for uh support of that as well. Well, I definitely support it. I think it's uh very important that we um compensate according to what's being paid in the market and I think it's
important to keep up um and it it's important to retain staff. So I think it it's uh I'm very much in favor and I look forward to any additional comments from my colleagues. I think after returning from the Florida League
of Cities and seeing the state and the people and talking to many of them, um, we have a great thing going on here, Marshall, and I think we should be doing everything in our power to retain the team that we have in place for a good long period of time. So, I think between
the health programs and which you're recommending, I support 100%. I I do as well. uh particularly since this particular um uh motion and resolution uh refers to the non-UN
employees and um we have to um take care of them, be competitive in the marketplace and reward them for um for um you know meeting expectations or exceeding expectations and and I certainly will
say and everyone I'm sure will agree that um they exceed meet the expectations. I mean, we are known there in the world of cities in Florida of having a top top team. So, I'm for this. Yeah, I'm for it, too. And we must
reward our employees, keep them here, and are doing a good job and this is uh our reward to them. Thank you. I would totally agree. And you know, lastly, you know, we really value everyone's comp uh their
their contributions to the town. So, we really appreciate the work that you do. So, thank you. Yes. And uh if we could have a motion. I make a motion to approve resolution number 2025-020. Okay.
I second. Do you want a roll call or Sure, we can do a roll call. Commissioner Goldberg, yes. Commissioner Peters, yes. Commissioner Chinowski, yes. Vice Mayor Stern, yes. And Mayor Moore, yes. Motion carries.
I'm pleased to present the next item, item C, consideration to approve the fourth amendment to the town manager employment agreement. Um, and uh, so it's time to extend um, the employment
uh, agreement. And so it gave us the opportunity uh to take kind of a fresh look at the agreement that we have um for Marshall. And so we we wanted to make a few changes um and so not only to extend uh
the agreement. I mean of course we want to extend the agreement. So what we're proposing here is a 5-year extension with automatic uh five-year renewals. Um, if something goes ary, of course, there's a a way to cancel. Um, but you
know, Marshall has been here almost seven years. Uh, you started October. Yeah. Yeah. So, you started um October 1st of 2018 and, uh, your performance has been outstanding each and every
year. So it is with you know excitement that we can offer you know obviously an extension and automatic renewals going forward. Also in taking a look at the compensation for the town manager we
took a look at other town managers and what they're being compensated. And so another way that we can improve on the compensation is to increase the contribution to the um retirement to his
retirement fund. So currently the uh contribution has been 20% of his salary and in looking what other town managers get I mean some of them get almost up to 40%. And so to recognize the outstanding
performance um I'm recommending uh an additional 10% contribution. So instead of 20% contribution it would be a 30% uh contribution. Um and then in addition to that um we
wanted to talk about merit increase and and of course in accordance with his outstanding performance and leadership here in the town we want to grant the highest uh merit increase possible according to the contract which is a 10%
increase um in salary. So, I wanted to um put out that recommendation and get each commissioner's input and opinion on on those items. So, if we could start with Commissioner Shidnowski. Thank you, Mayor. Um I had the pleasure
of doing a performance evaluation uh with Marshall. Um, not only did I enjoy it, but I even learned more when I went up to the Florida League of Cities and met seven of his peers. And I was able to say to myself, um, where does
Marshall sit in the scope of the state of Florida in comparison to the other individuals that I had met? And I would say, Marshall, not to give you a swelled head, um I was very impressed uh with with everything that you've been able to
do and your vision for the future. And I think we should be doing everything as a community to keep you and your team together. Uh that would be our number. So, Mayor, I support everything you've just said 100%. We're very grateful for you to be with
us here. It's outstanding. It makes uh um our work um it enhances everything that we do on the commission. We can rely on you um uh and you are so well
respected in the community uh not only in Highland Beach, I mean in the state um and there's good reason for that. So, I'm I'm very proud to be uh a commissioner with uh with you managing
uh our town. I think it's excellent and I'm very grateful. Again, thank you. Yeah, I I agree with that. Marshall is the wheel that makes this town go. I mean, he's wasn't for him. I mean, he's
talks to everybody, talks to us. Um we don't want to lose him. Uh so this is his reward for us. Thank you, Marshall. Um I concur. Uh and I just want to point out that Marshall does very frequently
sit down with each of us individually, gets our input on issues, which is extremely important and which is to the guidelines of the uh of of the state of Florida law. and he puts those thought process in and creates uh some of the agenda items and discussions and uh does
a terrific job. So, thank you. And in preparing for today's item, I was poking around trying to get some historical perspective on what happened before I was even involved. And the Coastal Star had a nice article when
Marshall started. And in it, it said uh something to the effect of Marshall has a lot cut out for him. He had a a long list of things, intimidating items for
him to tackle and I can confidently say that you've you've achieved them. Uh you you had uh quite a list of things for you to address. um o overhauling the finance department, um over overhauling
the the financial reporting system, um the fire rescue. Under your tenure, we had our first um appropriation um which you know more than paid for your your salary. Um so you have accomplished so
much you know since you've been here and your leadership is really tremendous. um which I measure that by the you know the retaining of of top talent and and you have retained top talent and um I'm
constantly getting uh positive feedback on your performance as a leader and and your work performance here in the town of Highland Beach. So, it is with great pleasure that I make this motion, which is um I move that we extend the town
manager's contract through September 30th, 2030 with automatic 5-year renewals um unless either party provides 90 days written notice of termination. That we increase the town's retirement contribution to town manager 401A
by 10%. And that we also um we effective October 1, 2025, we agree that the uh town manager's base salary shall be increased by 10% of the town manager's annual base
salary. So for clarification, that is to approve the fourth amendment to the town manager employment agreement. Yeah. Yeah. With the 10% salary with the change. I second that. Roll call.
Okay. Who made you first? Mayor Moore. Yes. Commissioner Peters. Yes. Commissioner Chinabski. Yes. Commissioner Goldberg. Yes. Vice Mayor Stern. Yes. Motion carries. Wonderful. Congratulations, Marshall,
and thank you for all your hard work. Okay. Next item on the agenda, the town commission comments. Commissioner Shinnowski. you know, um I think uh easiest place to start is um we all visited uh Orlando together. It gave us an opportunity to
sit for four hours together and take an ethics course. Very exciting. Uh which we all enjoyed. Uh but what most important was um for a small town um I think we should be very very proud.
There are towns of 30 and 40,000 people. Uh, and I think that, uh, as I walked around listening and talking to other people, my first time attending, I said to myself, I'm in the right place. This is a great community with some great
people. Uh, and I think what's most important is what the next 5 years are going to look like. And like I've said to Marsha, which was illustrated in the numbers today, when growth stops, decay usually begins. And we're on a wonderful growth pattern right now. And I think that's uh what we're building upon and
that's the decisions that we're making today and the recommendations. But I want to thank everybody for their time uh during that 4-day period and um I think we have a lot of great things to do, Marshall, with your leadership. the um attendance uh at the Florida
League of City. It's it's it's always beneficial and it's wonderful to have that opportunity, a social uh atmosphere that with all the uh uh the commissioners um uh and it enhances uh
us on this bench each month. I'd also like to uh acknowledge you know I thank the commission for my appointment on the policy committee and uh I'll be again uh participating in the uh taxation and
finance uh committees as well as the advocacy really important significant legislative agenda this year will include property taxes. So I'm looking forward to that. We covered that as well in the um the meetings that we had at the league.
We've had discussions about it and I look forward to participating and reporting back. Thank you. Yeah. I just want to thank uh all our town employees, our department heads, Marshall. Um I'm glad we rewarded them
today and I just want to say I'm glad I live in Highland Beach. Thank you. Uh I'd like to bring up a uh different issue and a safety concern. Uh with the increase of electric bikes, scooters
that becomes a pedestrian safety issue in our three miles of sidewalks and bike lanes. With the widening of our bike lanes, I feel we must examine our rules and regulations. I know everyone will not be happy with restrictions. However, I believe we have a responsibility to
make safety a priority. I'm requesting the town to do a study to to determine uh the best practices. Uh a few a few some of my initial thoughts. For example, bike lanes, all
pedal bikes, electric bikes, electric scooters, sidewalks, pedal bikes, electric bikes, electric scooters under 5 miles an hour. Audible warnings required when approaching pedestrians, horns or bells. signs posted with
requirements penalties for violations. Request Del Rey and B in Bokeh to comply between Spanish River and Linton to whatever we put into effect. Uh I think this is real important. Just coincidentally, there's a large article
in today's Palm Beach Post on um on this issue and it covers some of the things that I talked about just as a coincidence. And uh uh I think it becomes especially as we get into season and more people come back and you get more of these vehicles and so we must
put something in effect with safety the first consideration. So I would like to ask for that to be followed up on please. I'm in favor. And once again uh it was a great conference. I think we all learned a lot
and uh it it's good for the town and we should continue to participate. Thank you. So, I'm in favor of putting that on an agenda item and we can have if anyone else agrees. Yes, if we can include that as an agenda item
for staff to present whatever information you can have to start the conversation. Okay. Uh, next item on the uh, uh, no comments from me. Moving on to town attorney. Uh, no, ma'am.
Town manager. Uh, the host of things. So, but first, um, I continue to be humbled uh, by your kindness. I I really am. Uh, mayor, it's funny you say that because you're always like, you hate doing this, don't you? I'm like, yeah, I just really want extension is the the main goal so I could stay here because I love it here
just like everyone uh, up on the dis. Uh I the world's greatest team um make me proud every day and I'm glad that you give me the support to exercise and support our comp package and that fiveyear exercise to get us to where we need to be as a town. So I I I truly
appreciate that and uh the support uh the guidance, the friendship uh it's this is great. Um it's a lot. Um but getting on to uh you know the policy committee. Yes. Uh um I'm also on the policy committee for uh
municipal administration. Go figure. Um I believe we will all be talking about top property taxes. I think that issue is going to be paramount in the next uh legislative session. I think it's going to start early. Uh we may even want to
craft some message that we want to carry forward either through our lobbyist or having conversations with Peggy what we want her to say on our behalf. So, we'll those things we'll start crafting. I know the Florida League of Cities at the conference kind of gave us a prelude to
some of their materials um on how well local governments do keep taxes in check, how well we provide value and service more so than other levels of government. Um and to hopefully get the message out that they should understand,
you know, quick cuts aren't exactly going to affectuate the outcomes that they want. So, we got to temper the legislature a bit to really think about what uh an impulsive action looks like. So, uh I think we're all going to be uh moving through that. Uh the the ebikes,
scooters, devices, bike paths, non-motorized uh pathways that we have, I'll add it to the strategic plan as an up andcoming item and we'll start that conversation. Uh Chief Hartman and I will start having that a little more conversation. I have spoken with um a
couple of Bokeh city council members um at our district lunchon. You guys may have been there when I think it was Yvat and Fran or maybe it was just Fran was talking about who's the deputy mayor there sort of talking about what they're going to do. They have a slightly different they have
these herds of kids on ebikes doing wheelies down the middle of federal highway. Little bit of a different issue but it could become our issue uh over time. So it's it's timely to start addressing how we plan to tackle it and and put in appropriate guidelines and structures uh for here especially during
season when it gets really busy. Um so we talked you know the budget items um I've spoken with Susie and David and you know we're saying you know all the capital projects we have and you know some are planned to go right now and not going to meet the deadline in this fiscal year. So, we're going to have a
lot of es and flows of uh this uh the CIP program. We got delivered our first gut punch. It it's not all lost, but uh the Army Corps decided to change the status permit status for our Marine docking facilities, which will put us
off of the schedule for the fine grant program. So, that project's going to be delayed significantly uh because of an Army Corps decision. Uh it's kind of that we can't go any faster. The fine grant has their rules. uh they still from what chief is telling me are very supportive of our project. It just might
have to wait 12 months, but it's still on the and uh again our third appropriation was for that project. So not only have we gotten that first one right, we've kept that that energy going. Uh but we we will get that uh appropriation we have for the marine
docking facility extended. So that project slows down, but some other projects are picking up. Just to let everybody know, uh we got a a conference call today. uh the team uh the sanitary sewer lining project is a go. We're greenlighting that. Um so we said
9:15ish is going to be their start date. We're going to get Scender and Madison going to start putting together the communication pieces to get out to everybody so you can start to be prepared. The idea is is we are going to start on the side streets.
Belo. So we're going to start in the side streets first. There are some limitations like, you know, don't start doing all your laundry when we're there. We we will do door hangers. We'll communicate when we get into the the larger highrises and their condos. We'll do bypass pumping so you can't control
200 units. So, we will do things to bypass uh around certain uh uh towers and things of that nature. So, you can still use it while we line. So, um we got a great vendor. Uh the public works team did a good job putting that together. again, uh, Scander and Madison are going to put all the communication.
Uh, but we're go, this is happening. We're going to be lining the sewers in Highland Beach and that'll last it for the next 50 years. So, um, we're excited that that project's a go. Uh, but at the same time, the marine's going to slow down a little bit, but they're all still a go, but the timing on the money where
kind of a case in point, next year we have the marine docking facility scheduled budgetarily for construction that might actually get pushed until next fiscal year. So again, you'll see things. Um I think David said we're right now about 1.6 in the good from
this fiscal year for not executing all of our projects. That'll come down. Uh we have some big uh check runs. So don't escape today, but there's some big check runs. So once we start doing that, those dollars will will address down. But uh that is exciting. See, I but sanitary
sewer lining se midepptember to go 60-day project. We'll be in and out of this town, you know. So, that's happening, which is great news. Um, you know, we'll run into a few things, I'm sure, but that's that's happening. We'll start communicating it when we get to the condos. We'll get to the condo
presidents, the condo managers, just to keep that communication going. Another off project. We are putting doors in. Uh, they were supposed to be done before you guys got here. Uh, those those are going in. So, um, other than that, you know, uh, but the sanitary sewer lining projects going. Again, our budget
meetings coming in September, September 4th and 18th. Thank you again for supporting the benefit program. I know the employees appreciate it. It is critical. Um and uh I'm gonna chief I'm going to let the beans out a little bit on some of our uh recruiting
and stuff that we've done. Uh we had a big coup. Um, I'm not going to mention names, but uh we had a we have a vacancy and we've been having a hard time getting somebody uh a a a really high qualified candidate came to be known
chief with his charm starts talking um and they were considering us or PBSO which has all these specialized assignments this and that. They chose here because you guys care about him. So they he's coming here. So I'm really excited. Our plans are we've executed
them. we are able to start attracting the those qualified individuals to build out our public safety team. So, that's great. Um, but it's just case in point like they're starting to see that and those were their kind of words is by looking at this and talking to you and seeing your commission support you guys
care that matters as much especially on the police side for what the responsibilities not for getting fire. I see you, Matt. But, uh, you know, but on the police side for this conversation that that the the community supports, you know, everything that's going on. Uh, last thing,
and Matt, if I miss it, so we had a line snap over in the 3,400 block last night. Power outages. Uh, the fire team did a great job getting people stuck in elevators. Um, got a lot of calls. Chief called me last night. Matt got me the first thing this morning.
Um I think some condo buildings are finding that maybe just maybe your elevator should be connected to your generator. Um so that's what they had is some folks that were uh unhealthy or coming back from a hospital on floors they couldn't access because the
elevator wasn't connected to the generator to move them up. And that's why we had a lot of that we had to call in mutual aid for the first time. So Boka came to help us on one call. Uh, but luckily they came graciously without problem, without uh issue. Um, but I know Matt's been talking, but those are
things we're going to have to start talking to buildings that you know you have a generator. Make sure you know your your elevators are connected because we can't help when an FPL power line pops. Uh, it was a small brush fire. So, that was good kind of timely with the wildfires out in the Everglades that we have our own little mini one.
Great job putting it out. So, um, you know, everything's going, but just if if if your neighbors or other condo managers, I know the the condo folks here, if something somebody calls you, you know, it wasn't ours. The line broke, FPNL responded. We tried to get everybody out of elevators and they just
found that if your generator isn't hooked up, your, you know, you're kind of stuck. So, um, we'll try to work on that message in the future to kind of like take a look at those things. Um, and I know, uh, Matt and Chief are also looking at all the far false alarms. We're getting a lot. So, we need to get
some fire systems corrected, updated, worked on. So, thank you. Quick question. That the elevator being connected to the generator, is that a would that ever be a building department? Like, uh, I don't think it's required. You have to do that. Can we make it require? Is that
something we would want to consider making right now? Uh, Matt would love to, but um, about you said because that seems to make a lot of sense. like I wonder why the building department doesn't require that. Um well, so there are certain
requirements for new construction. Uh we have that in our fire ordinance now. Um there's some limited requirements for existing you know we're trying to get everybody on the region 7 key for example when they do elevator replacements but uh it's difficult to
bring um the you know 50-y old building 60-y old building into compliance what's new. they're just you know the even the infrastructure within the building even some of the FPNL infrastructure is just not there so uh you know we're working on it but uh you know we can make
recommendations to people and that's what uh city manager is talking about uh we have done that and um so hopefully people this is I mean you know sometimes uh when you have a a rainy day you know some good sunshine comes afterward and this may be people realizing that
there's some things they can do to better enhance their buildings I generated is kicked right in. We had one elevator in both buildings working. Uh it was it worked out. It worked perfectly for us and you know we're a 40-y old building. Absolutely. So it's going to be necessary. We you know uh post hurricane
for example uh this didn't it wasn't even a storm related in incident. It just happened. It's one of those things. Um, but you know, post storm, uh, for, you know, it would be nice if we were able to use the elevators cuz we know that there are going to be people that
can't leave, don't leave. Um, and we need to be able to get them down safely and taking them down 10 or 15 flights of stairs is not necessarily the safest way to get that done. If the elevators are, you know, still have have that ability to run and we have power to them,
you know, we can do that. So, that's kind of where we're at. Is there anything the town can do to like can we, you know, is it possible some people aren't aware like in certain buildings or or
that don't have it? Well, we about, you know, myself, uh, Joe Brooks, who's, you know, out there, we're in these buildings all the time, right? Um, the inspection program is going along very, very well. We've had really good compliance and those are some of the issues that we talk to people about.
uh you know cuz this I got a ton of phone calls last night which was good you know from property managers uh presidents of associations just kind of asking like what happened initially and then um then them explaining to me the difficulties that they're having. So gives me an opportunity to talk to them
about things they should consider. Uh it's it's difficult for us as a as a town to just um order them to make some significant high dollar changes, right? uh that would probably get a lot of push back, right? But you you bring it up.
I wouldn't love that to happen. But when you go and do these inspections, you that is part of your recommendations you you highlighted and and there's been a lot of I mean uh part of the, you know, the 40-year inspection process and now, you know, so again, we're coming into some of these
buildings that are, you know, hitting sprinklers to either need to the sprinkler heads in some buildings need to be changed out because they're 50-year life or they have to be reertified. So, we've got a lot of those things kind of happening. Um, and so just and and with everything that's gone on, you know, we're trying to get people
in a really good place at the same time balancing costs that are been forced on everybody for the last two years, right? It's it's understood. That's kind of where we're at. Understood. Well, sounds I'm glad that you're making the recommendation when you're when you're Absolutely. That's good.
Okay. Any other comments? Go ahead. I have a question, Marshall. I've been using September 7th to our residents that the road will be totally clean. All barrels will be removed. Do we know where we sit with that? Um yeah, they should, you know, they say
the 17th. I'm still a little skeptical that they're going to make that deadline. Um but we're pushing them uh to say whether or not you are done, we need to get to the sewer system. And what's another great part about it is we're going to retell the system because they
did all that construction. You never know what settled, got cracked, what got things. So, um, we got a good process. Um, we're we're calling them saying 17th is our turn. You know, you took six extra months to do the project. It's our turn. We got a contract.
We have another layer. Yeah. So, it's one more coming. Yep. We have one more coming. I think it's a 3/4 inch uh uh wear course that they put on at the end, but right now they're still finishing driveways moving north. And I think they still have to do all the Delray driveways. I don't think they really got to the more complicated ones, I think,
is what uh some of the concern is. But, you know, maybe they'll make the target. They some days I I see them working really hard and fast. Other days I I don't know what they're doing. But, um I have been reasonably surprised that they are doing the driveways pretty well, but I don't know that that was anticipated
on their part, but they're getting there. One more question. the landscaping that is going to have to be done in a number of facilities. Um, is that pretty clean whose responsibility it is? Well, it's in their contract that they have to restore the work sites and they they did
have SAD as a pay item within the FDOT contract. Um, our uh sanitary sewer lining contract recognizes and it was they're great contractors all over the world and they basically said, "Yeah, we're going to mess up some grass. We'll fix it. Don't worry." you know, that's in our contract for when they go in. Uh
it's just going to be complicated that if we get in there before they do restoration, you know, we'll just have to do a lot of uh televising beforehand so we can kind of document start and stops on that project. Um but we're we're in a good good place. Um and we'll
go from there though. There's always a surprise on you know there's see 16 so about 17,500 linear feet of pipe we're lining. So something's something's got to give, you know, and it's uh 8, 12, 16inch pipe.
Some's clay, some's cast. So I mean, it's it's a whole host of things. So um we'll see. It looks good. Good contractor. We're getting started. Glad to hear that. That's excellent. Moving on to announcements. Uh board vacancies. We have one vacancy for code
enforcement board. Uh upcoming meetings and events. September 1st, we uh the town is closed in observance of Labor Day. September 2nd is our next meeting of the town commission at 1:30. September 4th at 5:01 p.m. is the town
commission first public hearing for the budget. And September 9th at 11:00 a.m. is the special magistrate hearing. And September 11th at 9:30 9:30 in the morning is the next planning board regular meeting. There are no board action reports. And with that, we can
adjourn. Thank you very much everyone.