HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-11-2024 VC REG-MPresent:
ROLL CALL
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION
VILLAGE COUNCIL OF NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA
JANUARY 11, 2024
Susan Bickel, Mayor
Deborah Searcy, Vice Mayor
Judy Pierman, President Pro Tem
Karen Marcus, Councilmember
Chuck Huff, Village Manager
Len Rubin, Village Attorney
Jessica Green, Village Clerk
Mayor Bickel called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. All members of Council were present. All
members of staff were present.
INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Bickel gave the invocation and Vice Mayor Searcy led the public in the Pledge.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The Minutes of the Regular Session held December 14, 2023 and the Minutes of the Special
Session held December 21, 2023 were approved as written.
Mayor Bickel gave a statement regarding her concerns about misinformation, rumors and
disparagements that have taken place over social media. Mayor Bickel stated that disagreements
were an important part of democracy but the way the disagreements have been handled in the
community lately needed to stop. Mayor Bickel stated that every single action that has been taken
by former, current Councilmembers have been done at a noticed public meeting, and that the
accusations that business had been conducted behind closed doors was offensive. Mayor Bickel
encouraged residents to attend Council meetings or watch them online. Mayor Bickel also
encouraged residents to join a Village board or committee. Mayor Bickel stated that the Village
also has a monthly newsletter, weekly bulletin and a Village website that was easily accessible to
residents. Mayor Bickel also encouraged residents to talk to or email Councilmembers or the
Village Manager to get information directly from the source. Mayor Bickel concluded by stating
that it was time that residents treat all members of the community with respect.
STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Cindy Seaberg, 860 Fathom Court, stated that she presented a petition with 700 signatures to
Council last year that requested the installation of pickle ball courts in the Village. Ms. Seaberg
requested a status update on the new pickle ball courts.
Minutes of the Village Council Regular Session held January 11, 2024 Page 2 of 6
STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC continued
Tom Seller, 134 Lakeshore Drive, #915, gave information regarding the amount of pickle ball
courts that were available in surrounding communities and expressed concern that the Village did
not have any pickle ball courts.
Chris Ryder, 118 Dory Road S, welcomed the new interim Councilmembers and expressed his
concerns regarding the proposed project at the Twin Cities Mall site and the proposed 200 Yacht
Club Drive project. Mr. Ryder expressed concern that the agenda for the Joint Planning, Zoning and
Adjustment Board meeting between the Village and the Town of Lake Park was pulled from the
website after the meeting was canceled. Mr. Ryder referenced the Village's Organizational Chart and
expressed concern regarding correspondence between Village staff and Advisory Board members.
Marilyn Tiedemann, 100 Wettaw Lane, expressed her concerns and opposition of the proposed
Twin Cities Mall site project.
Ron Okolichany, 417 Northlake Drive, wished everyone a Happy New Year and conveyed
gratitude to Judy Pierman and Karen Marcus for stepping up as interim Councilmembers. Mr.
Okolichany stated that Councilmembers were elected to represent the will and desires of the
Village residents and he hoped the newly elected Councilmembers for 2024 would hear the
residents and listen to what they have to say, respond to emails and phone calls in a timely manner
and not vote for items that residents were against.
Denise Robinette, 756 Prosperity Farms Road, expressed her concerns regarding the proposed
Twin Cities Mall site project.
Mary Phillips, 525 Ebbtide Drive, stated that she supported Mayor Bickel's statement at the
beginning of the meeting and expressed her concerns regarding the proposed Twin Cities Mall site project.
CONSENT AGENDA APPROVED
Councilmember Marcus moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Vice Mayor Searcy seconded the
motion, which passed unanimously. The following items were approved:
Motion to grant a merit increase of 4.1% to the Village Clerk based upon the averaged
score of the performance evaluations and directing the Village to process same.
Resolution approving an Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Chen
Moore and Associates, Inc. to increase the total amount of compensation in an amount not
to exceed $80,000 for Fiscal Year 2024; and authorizing execution of the Amendment.
Resolution amending the Comprehensive Pay Plan adopted as part of the Fiscal Year 2024
Budget to convert two part-time Building Construction Inspector positions to one full-time
Senior Building Construction Inspector position.
Receive for file Minutes of the Recreation Advisory Board meeting held 11/14/23.
PUBLIC HEARINGS AND QUASI-JUDICIAL MATTERS
ORDINANCE 2024-01 ADOPTING ADMINISTRATIVE AMENDMENTS OF THE
FLORIDA BUILDING CODE TO VILLAGE CODE
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Searcy and seconded by Councilmember Marcus to adopt on
first reading Ordinance 2024-01 entitled:
Minutes of the Village Council Regular Session held January 11, 2024 Page 3 of 6
ORDINANCE 2024-01 ADOPTING ADMINISTRATIVE AMENDMENTS OF THE
FLORIDA BUILDING CODE TO VILLAGE CODE continued
AN ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF NORTH PALM
BEACH, FLORIDA, ADOPTING ADMINISTRATIVE AMENDMENTS TO THE 8TH (2023)
EDITION OF THE FLORIDA BUILDING CODE; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY;
PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Community Development Director Caryn Gardner -Young explained that the purpose of the
ordinance was an administrative function that needed to take place every three (3) years wherein
every municipality and county is required to adopt updates and amendments to their building code
in order to match the updates and amendments of the Florida Building Code.
Thereafter, the motion to adopt on first reading Ordinance 2024-01 passed unanimously.
ORDINANCE 2024-02 CODE AMENDMENT — VOLUME AND MASSING REGULATIONS
FOR SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLINGS
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Searcy and seconded by President Pro Tem Pierman to adopt
on first reading Ordinance 2024-02 entitled:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF NORTH PALM
BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING APPENDIX C (CHAPTER 45), "ZONING," OF THE
VILLAGE CODE OF ORDINANCES TO READOPT CERTAIN REGULATIONS RELATING
TO THE VOLUME AND MASSING OF SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLINGS; AMENDING
SECTION 45-27, "R-1 SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLING DISTRICT," TO REQUIRE
ADDITIONAL SETBACKS FOR SECOND STORIES, LIMIT THE FLOOR AREA OF THE
SECOND STORY, AND PROHIBIT BLANK WALLS; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION;
PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Community Development Director Caryn Gardner -Young began a presentation that explained the
history of the revisions that were made to the volume and massing regulations for single-family
dwellings in the Village's code. Mrs. Gardner -Young discussed and explained the proposed new
language and reviewed the recommendations of the Planning, Zoning and Adjustment Board.
Chris Ryder, 118 Dory Road S, expressed concern that certain revisions to the code as it related to
the volume and massing of single-family dwellings should have been made years ago.
Lisa Interlandi, 150 Anchorage Drive S, gave her recommendations for revisions to the volume
and massing regulations for single-family dwellings code. Ms. Interlandi specifically
recommended not allowing an exemption of the second floor setback for homes that are located
on a waterway.
Gregory Sean Foster, 4149 Burns Road, stated that he did not have an opinion either way on the
volume and massing regulations for single-family dwellings in the Village's code. Mr. Foster was
concerned about potential homebuilders such as himself not having the proper warning of revisions
to the code so that they can prepare and plan properly.
Minutes of the Village Council Regular Session held January 11, 2024 Page 4 of 6
ORDINANCE 2024-02 CODE AMENDMENT — VOLUME AND MASSING REGULATIONS
FOR SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLINGS continued
Discussion ensued between Councilmembers, Mr. Rubin and staff regarding the proposed
revisions to the volume and massing regulations for single-family dwellings in the Village's code.
Councilmembers gave their recommendations for revisions.
Mrs. Gardner -Young and Mr. Rubin noted the recommendations and stated that they would bring
them back for consideration at the second reading of the ordinance.
Thereafter the motion to adopt on first reading Ordinance 2024-02 passed unanimously.
RESOLUTION 2024-03 — POLICE DEPARTMENT BOAT PURCHASE
A motion was made by Councilmember Marcus and seconded by Vice Mayor Searcy to adopt
Resolution 2024-03 entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF NORTH PALM
BEACH, FLORIDA APPROVING THE PURCHASE OF A FLUID WATERCRAFT PATROL
BOAT FROM SIROCCO MARINE LLC TO REPLACE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S
MARINE 1 PATROL BOAT AND THE PURCHASE OF TWO SUZUKI OUTBOARD
ENGINES FROM NICK'S CREATIVE MARINE, INC.; WAIVING THE VILLAGE'S
PURCHASING POLICIES; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Mr. Huff stated the Police Department's current Contender boat was twenty-four (24) years old
and had taken on water was submerged. Mr. Huff explained that since the boat was now
inoperable, the Police Department was in need of another boat. In lieu of ordering a newly built
replacement boat, which would require a significant wait time, the Village's Purchasing Policies
and Procedures would need to be waived in order to purchase a new 2023 boat that was already
built and ready to be put to use right away.
Thereafter the motion to adopt Resolution 2024-03 passed unanimously.
MAYOR AND COUNCIL MATTERS/REPORTS
Mr. Huff gave an update on the undergrounding of utilities by FPL in the Village and the plans for
the dry storage project at Anchorage Park.
President Pro Tem Pierman stated that she was proud to see residents in attendance and thanked
them for voicing their opinions. President Pro Tem Pierman thanked Council for the opportunity
to serve the Village again.
Councilmember Marcus stated that Ms. Tiedeman left out the Toleno family from the list of
original Village of North Palm Beach families that she mentioned in her public comment.
Mr. Huff gave an update on the timeline and location of the proposed installation of pickle ball
courts in the Village.
Minutes of the Village Council Regular Session held January 11, 2024 Page 5 of 6
MAYOR AND COUNCIL MATTERS/REPORTS continued
Vice Mayor Searcy announced that the Hot Cars and Chili event would be taking place in
approximately two weeks and that Recreation Department staff was still in need of participants for cars
and chili.
Vice Mayor Searcy requested updated photos of the newest Councilmembers.
Vice Mayor Searcy requested an update on the lighting code.
Mr. Huff and Mrs. Gardner -Young stated that the lighting code was in the process of being
reviewed and would be brought to Council for consideration at a future meeting.
Mr. Huff gave an update on discussions regarding the proposed Twin Cities Mall site project and stated
that the developer had tentatively scheduled a meeting on January 29 at the Community Center
between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. for a presentation and conversation with residents about the proposed project.
VILLAGE MANAGER MATTERS/REPORTS
Police Chief Richard Jenkins began a presentation on the Police Department's Annual Report.
Chief Jenkins discussed and explained the average response time analysis, crime statistics, crime
analysis report three (3) year statistics, North Palm Beach as the 6th safest city in Florida, North
Palm Beach Police Department 30x30 Initiative, annual recruitment analysis, arrestee
demographics analysis, Baker Act analysis, NET accomplishments analysis, Police Department
fiscal data and SWOT analysis.
Councilmembers expressed their gratitude to Police Chief Jenkins and the Village's Police
Department for all that they do.
Mr. Huff stated that former Village Manager Andy Lukasik had initiated the Neighborhood
Enhancement Team (NET). Mr. Huff thanked Council for allowing the program that helps
individuals in the community that are in need. Mr. Huff also expressed gratitude to Police Chief
Jenkins and the Village's Police Department for all that they do.
President Pro Tem Pierman expressed gratitude for "Coffee with a Cop" and encouraged residents
to participate.
Mr. Rubin gave an update on the potential lawsuit to challenge the Form 6 requirement. Mr. Rubin
provided a handout with information regarding the potential lawsuit and asked Council to review
and let him know if it was something they wanted to pursue.
Mr. Huff announced that Village offices would be closed on Monday, January 15 in observance
of Martin Luther King Day.
Councilmember Marcus announced an Arbor Day Celebration on January 20 at Osbourne Park.
Mayor Bickel reiterated that she was thankful for residents attending meetings and encouraged
everyone to continue to attend. Vice Mayor Bickel reminded everyone that Council and the
Village Manager were accessible by email or phone and that information was readily available in
the monthly and weekly newsletter and the website.
Minutes of the Village Council Regular Session held January 11, 2024 Page 6 of 6
VILLAGE MANAGER MATTERS/REPORTS continued
Vice Mayor Searcy explained that she and the other Councilmembers had jobs in addition to their
service on the Village Council. Vice Mayor Searcy stated if she or other Councilmembers were
not as responsive as residents would like it was because they were there to serve their community
in their spare time and would always do their best to respond in a timely manner.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjoumed at 8:41 p.m.
Jesi4a Green, IVIMC, Village Clerk