04-09-2009 VC WS-MMINUTES OF THE WORKSHOP SESSION
VILLAGE COUNCIL OF NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA
APRIL 9, 2009
Present: David B. Norris, Mayor
William Manuel, Vice Mayor
Darryl Aubrey, Sc.D., President Pro Tem
Edward M. Eissey, Ph.D., Councilman
T.R. Hernacki, P.E., Councilman
Jimmy Knight, Village Manager
Leonard Rubin, Village Attorney
Melissa Teal, CMC, Village Clerk
ROLL CALL
Mayor Norris called the meeting to order at 9:22 p.m. All members of Council were present.
All members of staffwere present.
REGISTRATION AND MAINTENANCE OF ABANDONED AND VACANT REAL PROPERTY
Mr. Rubin noted the purpose of the program is to protect property values by regulating aesthetics
to prevent decline in the Village's single family neighborhoods, where there is no homeowner's
association to address maintenance and security issues. Mr. Rubin noted these regulations are
intended as a "last resort" method to prevent blight and protect property values against adverse
affects by ensuring that residents are not living next door to visibly vacant unmaintained
properties with overg_rowr. yards; debris, broken windows, etc.
Mr. Rubin reviewed a draft ordinance, which incorporates changes discussed at Council's
2/12/09 Workshop Session, including narrowing the scope of the program to include only single
family homes and town homes, and requiring inspection upon issuance of a Notice of Default.
Discussion ensued on mandating that air conditioning is kept running in vacant properties to
prevent mold. It was determined that this would be difficult to enforce, as the lender may not
have the right to enter the property, there may not be electricity to the property and further, there
is no requirement for air conditioning in the Florida Building Code.
During discussion of the proposed ordinance, it was determined that Section 15-14(a) be
amended to add language after the phrase "upon issuance of a Notice of Default" specifying "and
expiration of any applicable grace period" and subsection (f) be amended to add the phrase "and
a default continues" after the word "vacant." It was noted that Section 15-15, Maintenance
Requirements, should be consistent with other maintenance requirements in the Code of Ordinances.
Brief discussion took pla=.e on the number of foreclosed homes in the Village.
This item was moved forward to an upcoming Regular Session.
ADJOURNMENT
• With no further business to come before the Council, the meeting adjourned at 9:36 p.m.
Melissa Teal, CMC, Village erk