HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-23-2024 VC WS-MPresent:
ROLL CALL
MINUTES OF THE WORKSHOP SESSION
VILLAGE COUNCIL OF NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA
MAY 23, 2024
Susan Bickel, Mayor
Deborah Searcy, Vice Mayor
Lisa Interlandi, President Pro Tem
Orlando Puyol, Councilmember
Kris Garrison, Councilmember
Chuck Huff, Village Manager
Leonard G. Rubin, Village Attorney
Jessica Green, Village Clerk
Mayor Bickel call the meeting to order at 4:00 pm. All members of Council were present. All
members of staff were present. All Department Directors were present.
Mayor Bickel turned the meeting over to the Village Manager Huff.
Special Workshop Session- Strategic Planninw:
Mr. Huff introduced the purpose of the meeting by providing handouts to follow along with the
presentation and also identified the topics that would be discussed; such as Municipal Strategic
Planning, Role Clarity: Council vs. Management, Strategic Planning as it relates to the existing
plan, Vision and Mission Statement, Themes and Objectives, and two (2) interactive Council
Exercises - S.W.O.T Analysis and Strategic Initiative Prioritization.
Mr. Huff proposed that Mayor Bickel could ask questions as the presentation went along.
Mr. Huff began the presentation with an overview of the topic, beginning with the definition of
Municipal Strategic Planning. Mr. Huff identified the importance/ benefits of Municipal Strategic
Planning and also explained the difference between Council and Manager Form of Government;
Council sets policy and strategic direction with the Manager who fulfills the policies set for the
Administration.
Mr. Huff identified the Key Components of Municipal Strategic Planning that were Council
Driven:
• Vision and Mission Statement
o Vision- the direction and desired future state
o Mission- the core purpose
• SWOT Analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats)
Minutes of the Village Council Workshop Session held May 23, 2024 Page 2 of 4
• Identify internal strengths and weaknesses and external opportunities and threats
o Initiative Identification and Goal Setting
o Measurable and achievable (May 23, 2024 topic of discussion)
Management Driven:
• Action Plans - Council sets policy Management team sets actions plans
• Allocate Resources
• Monitor and Evaluate initiates.
Mr. Huff led the presentation into the Village's five (5) year Strategic Planning multi -year time
line which began in 2019 until present also detailing the Budget Yearly exercise. Mr. Huff
explained the continued relevancy and importance of the Village's Vision and Mission Statement,
Core Values, as well as the Village's Themes and Objectives.
Mr. Huff provided a detailed overview of an SWOT Analysis. Mr. Huff requested Mayor Bickel
and Council to complete the interactive SWOT Analysis exercise.
Vice Mayor Searcy expressed her discomfort with the ranking exercise. Council discussion ensued
on ranking and discussing the SWOT Analysis that was selected.
Mr. Huff continued to explain the interactive exercise to Council and the public inviting the public
to review. Mr. Huff requested that Council select the top five (5) SWOT to be discussed. Mr.
Huff explained to Council the exercise was a combination of existing strengths, weakness,
opportunities, and threats and that there were no wrong selections for the exercise. Deputy Village
Manager Samia Janjua assisted Mr. Huff with explaining the selection process of the top five (5)
to six (6) SWOT rankings from each category for the Budget Book.
Mayor Bickel proposed to have a subsequent meeting to discuss Council's responses that were
included in the rankings. Mayor Bickel agreed that "Safety and Security" was a top priority of the
Village and that "Amenities and Recreation" opportunities were strengths. Council discussed to
whether or not a subsequent Workshop Session would be scheduled.
Council continued reviewing the combined selections on the SWOT Analysis exercise by choosing
the top five (5) weaknesses. Council ensued in a discussion pertaining to the Villages weaknesses.
Councilmember Garrison did not agree that difficulties in hiring was a weakness.
Council provided examples on why the decision to add difficulties in hiring as a weakness.
Mr. Huff continued the presentation by reading the choices from the remaining categories of
Opportunities and Threats. Council completed the assigned SWOT Analysis exercise.
Council proposed and agreed to discuss, review, and adjust the top five to seven selections from
each category of Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats. Council began discussing the
Village's strengths. Vice Mayor Searcy suggested to edit number three (3) "Village Leadership
Team" by revising it to read "Talented and Dedicated Leadership Team and Staff."
Minutes of the Village Council Workshop Session held May 23, 2024 Page 3 of 4
A revision would be made to rising property values to "Real Estate Value and Revenue
Generation" and waterfront would be revised to "Waterways". Council agreed to remove "Street
Lighting" from the Weakness category. "Reliance on Ad -Valorem" would be temporarily changed
to "Diversifying Revenue Sources".
Council discussed revisions on the top seven selections from the Opportunities category beginning
with reclassifying the Country Club as the "Village's Crown Jewel" to just "Country Club",
explore alleyways to be golf cart friendly, and possibly identify schools within the Village. Council
agreed that "Redeveloping US-1/ Village Place" was different from "Annexation Impact Fees".
Council began to close the SWOT Analysis by discussing the Threats category. Council agreed to
combine Financial Sustainability and Uncertainty. A discussion ensued on the threats listed as
"Division of Class Unity" and "Non -Residents Crowding Parks." Council decided to remove those
threats listed out of respect for residents and non-residents who visit the Village's parks. Council
questioned wording display on selections embedded in the category. Council concluded the
SWOT analysis exercise.
Mr. Huff continued the workshop by presenting and discussing the "Completed and Ongoing
Initiatives" along with the "Currently in Progress Projects". Mr. Huff provided Council updates
pertaining to the replacement of the Prosperity Farms Road Bridge stating that it had been placed
on hold with Palm Beach County.
Council proposed to publicize an explanation to residents pertaining to the delay of the US-1
Bridge replacement. Council questioned the estimated timeline for FPL to repair the Village's
street lights. Mr. Huff explained FPL begins on the west side of the Village (Juniper) moving east
installing new LED lighting, any lighting that disrupts traffic (in the right of way), the homeowner
would be contacted to address and shape tree limb overgrowth.
Mr. Huff's presentation continued with another Council exercise ranking for Strategic Initiative
Prioritization. Mr. Huff described and discussed the categories in the exercise. Council ensued in
discussion pertaining to the categories in the exercise. Mr. Huff concluded the workshop
presentation and asked Council to individually complete the prioritizing exercise.
President Pro Tem Interlandi questioned the new substation that was identified as a needed item.
Mr. Huff elaborated on the new upcoming substation with the future plans of Twin -City Mall site
being redeveloped.
Mayor Bickel proposed that Council have the exercise completed by Monday, May 27th. After
completion of Council's exercise a subsequent meeting to discuss the rankings would be
scheduled. Council requested Village Staffs input on Council's responses.
Mayor Bickel opened Public Comment with the agreeance of Council.
Minutes of the Village Council Workshop Session held May 23, 2024 Page 4 of 4
Ron Okolichany- 417 Northlake Drive, began addressing the issues that were discussed during the
presentation; elaborating on the Country Club usage, members, and the funds that have been
allocated to the Country Club during the current Fiscal Year. Mr. Okolichany stated he spoke with
an outside source in reference to the Country Club's financials who described the operation as
bloated, maintenance and salaries were too high. Mr. Okolichany suggested a strategic plan for
the Country Club to cover expenses and reimburse the Village for upgrades such as the golf course.
Mr. Okolichany referred to the Farmer's Table RFP and lease agreement along with a copy of the
third amendment to the lease that he provided to the Manager/Council. Mr. Okolichany stated that
if there were any breach or default in the lease, the Village would not be responsible to pay the
remainder of the monies owed to Farmer's Table.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 5:42 p.m.
LYQuo(fJ
MDeputy Village Clerk