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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-22-2025 VC REG-MPresent: ROLL CALL MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION VILLAGE COUNCIL OF NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA MAY 22, 2025 Deborah Searcy, Mayor Lisa Interlandi, Vice Mayor Kristin Garrison, President Pro Tem Susan Bickel, Councilmember Orlando Puyol, Councilmember Chuck Huff, Village Manager Len Rubin, Village Attorney Jessica Green, Village Clerk Mayor Searcy called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. All members of Council were present except for Councilmember Puyol who was running late due to a family engagement. All members of staff were present. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Vice Mayor Interlandi led the public in the Pledge. AWARDS AND RECOGNITION Mayor Searcy read a proclamation for Water Reuse Week. Mayor Searcy read a proclamation for National Gun Violence Awareness Day. Volunteers of Moms Demand Action accepted the proclamation and thanked Council. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Deborah Cross, 2560 Pepperwood Circle S, encouraged getting more trees planted in open spaces for shade and having more green space throughout the Village. Tim Hullihan, 840 Country Club Drive, gave a presentation that showed pictures of different styles of bridges and stated that a more aesthetic style of bridge should be considered for the design of the Lighthouse Drive Bridge. Councilmember Puyol arrived to the meeting at 6:12 p.m. John Samadi, 512 Marlin Road, read a letter that he had previously sent to Mayor Searcy regarding his concerns about Village Manager Chuck Huff. Minutes of the Village Council Regular Session held May 22, 2024 Page 2 of 6 STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC continued Chris Ryder, 118 Dory Road S, expressed his concerns regarding the hiring of Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council to provide strategic planning services. Mr. Ryder also expressed his concerns regarding the Lobbyist Contact Logs that were being kept by the Village. Gina A. Levesque, CFE of the Palm Beach County Commission on Ethics gave an annual overview and information regarding the importance of ethics in local government and discussed the practices and purpose of the Palm Beach County Commission on Ethics as well as where to find information on ethics and contact information. Dave Adams, 613 Riverside Road, expressed his concerns regarding landscapers cutting limbs from palm trees and dumping them in the waterways and the pickup of vegetation cut by landscape contractors. Mr. Adams also expressed his concerns regarding increases in the budget since 2012. Mary Philips, 525 Ebbtide Drive, expressed her concerns regarding Councilmembers who did not vote for Mr. Hullihan to continue his membership on the Planning, Zoning and Adjustment Board. Chad Cawley,414 Driftwood Road, showed pictures of his truck and boat trailer parked at Anchorage Park and expressed his concerns with turning in and out of the parking lot. Councilmembers and Mr. Huff addressed the public comments that were made. CONSENT AGENDA APPROVED Councilmember Bickel moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Vice Mayor Interlandi seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. The following items were approved: Resolution approving an Amendment to the Agreement with Phillips and Jordan, Inc. for Disaster Debris Removal, Reduction and Disposal Services in accordance with the terms, conditions and pricing set forth in an existing Agreement with the Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County; and authorizing execution of the Amendment. Resolution approving an Amendment to the Continuing Contract for Professional Architectural Services with REG Architects, Inc. to increase the total amount of compensation for Fiscal Years 2025 and 2026 to $150,000; and authorizing the Village Manager to execute the Amendment. Receive for file Minutes of the General Employees Pension Board meeting held 2/4/25. Receive for file Minutes of the Police and Fire Pension Board meeting held 2/12/25. Receive for file Minutes of the Audit Committee meeting held 3/12/25. Receive for file Minutes of the Planning, Zoning, and Adjustment Board meeting held 4/1/25. Receive for file Minutes of the Recreation Advisory Board meeting held 4/8/25. Mr. Samadi, 512 Marlin Road, expressed his concerns regarding the Amendment for Professional Architectural Services with REG Architects and recommended advertising a Request for Qualifications for Architectural Services. Minutes of the Village Council Regular Session held May 22, 2024 Page 3 of 6 PUBLIC HEARINGS AND QUASI-JUDICIAL MATTERS ORDINANCE 2025-10 - CODE AMENDMENT — CT TRANSITIONAL COMMERCIAL DISTRICT A motion was made by Councilmember Bickel and seconded by Councilmember Puyol to adopt on first reading Ordinance 2025-10 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 BY AMENDING ARTICLE III, `DISTRICT REGULATIONS," SECTION 45-32.1, "C-T TRANSITIONAL COMMERCIAL DISTRICT," TO ADOPT A NEW TABLE OF USES; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Lance Lilly with Chen Moore & Associates explained that the purpose of the ordinance was to amend the CT -Transitional Commercial Zoning District code to adopt a new table of uses. Chris Ryder, 118 Dory Road S, expressed his concerns regarding the proposed revisions to the CT -Transitional Commercial Zoning District code. Councilmember Bickel expressed her concerns with allowing certain parcels on Prosperity Farms Road to be included and asked if they could be rezoned. Discussion ensued between Mr. Rubin and Councilmembers regarding which parcels could be rezoned and what they could be rezoned to. Discussion continued between Councilmembers and Mr. Rubin regarding the different types of permitted, non -permitted uses and special exceptions within the CT -Transitional Commercial Zoning District. Councilmember Bickel expressed her concerns with the appearance of Prosperity Farms Road and Northlake Boulevard and stated that she had discussed her concerns with Mr. Huff. Discussion ensued between Councilmembers regarding the term special exception and conditional use and how the terms had the same meaning. Mayor Searcy asked if the code was strong enough to ensure that convenience stores with fuel were not permitted and that a convenience store without fuel would be a special exception only. Mr. Rubin explained that the wording "uses not listed in the table are not permitted within the CT - Transitional Commercial Zoning District" was provided in the code to clarify that if something was not listed in the table, it would not be permitted. Thereafter, the motion to adopt on first reading Ordinance 2025-10 passed unanimously. RESOLUTION 2025-20 POLICE DEPARTMENT TASER PURCHASE A motion was made by Councilmember Puyol and seconded by Councilmember Bickel to adopt Resolution 2025-20 entitled: Minutes of the Village Council Regular Session held May 22, 2024 Page 4 of 6 RESOLUTION 2025-20 POLICE DEPARTMENT TASER PURCHASE continued A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA, APPROVING THE SOLE SOURCE PURCHASE OF FORTY-ONE TASERS, INCLUDING EQUIPMENT, HARDWARE, AND CERTIFICATIONS, FROM AXON ENTERPRISES, INC. FOR USE BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Police Chief Robert Coliskey explained that the Police Department relies on Taser equipment to enhance officer safety, provide a primary less -lethal use of force option, and support safe outcomes in potentially challenging situations. Axon Enterprises, Inc. has been the sole supplier of Tasers used by the Department. The Department's current Taser units have reached the end of their operational life, and the model they have been using is no longer in production, therefore necessitating the purchase of new current model Tasers. Chris Ryder, 118 Dory Road S, expressed his concerns regarding the cost of the proposed Taser purchase for the Police Department. Chief Coliskey explained that the contract for the purchase included a cost distribution over five (5) years with a reduced rate in the first year. The Tasers come with ongoing support, hardware and certifications and Axon Enterprises, Inc. is the sole source for the Tasers. Thereafter, the motion to adopt Resolution 2025-20 passed unanimously. MAYOR AND COUNCIL MATTERS/REPORTS NPB University — "Know Your Department — Country Club Mr. Huff began a presentation which featured the Country Club's Mission Statement, Department Organizational Structure, Department Highlights, Department Goals and Objectives, and Completed, Ongoing, Upcoming and New Projects. Mr. Huff turned the presentation over to Deputy Village Manager Samia Janjua. Mrs. Janjua reviewed the Country Club's FY 2025 Budget Summary (by division) Six Months Ending 03/31/2025, Capital Reinvestments, Financial History, Clubhouse Construction Costs and Policy Decisions to consider for the upcoming Budget Process. Mayor Searcy recommended having a workshop regarding public comment policy and procedure. Discussion ensued between Councilmembers regarding public comment policy and procedure. Council came to consensus to have a workshop item for public comment policy and procedure. Mayor Searcy discussed a recent fire that occurred at the Village's marina and asked Council if they should request the Waterways Board to discuss fuel tank size requirements for boats that are located behind residences. Discussion ensued between Councilmembers regarding size requirements of boats located behind residences. Minutes of the Village Council Regular Session held May 22, 2024 Page 5 of 6 MAYOR AND COUNCIL MATTERS/REPORTS continued Mr. Huff stated that he would speak to Chief Freseman and the Waterways Board on the topic of boat fuel tanks behind residential neighborhoods. Councilmember Puyol asked for an update on Buoy Road. Mr. Huff gave an update on the proposed work on Buoy Road stating that the work would be done in conjunction with Seacoast Water Utility Authority. Mr. Huff stated that he was waiting to hear back from them for a start date in order to coordinate the work. Councilmember Puyol asked if there would be a landscape code that required a minimum amount of landscape for newly constructed homes. Councilmember Bickel stated that she would like to see a revitalization of the tree preservation code and landscaping code. Mr. Rubin stated that he had a draft for a proposed ordinance regarding tree preservation that he was currently working on and would be bringing forward at a future Council meeting. Discussion ensued between Councilmembers regarding revising the landscape code. Council agreed that the Planning, Zoning & Adjustment Board could review the current landscape code and bring back recommendations for revision. President Pro Tem Interlandi recommended implementing a public meeting between residents and Councilmembers to discuss their community concerns and address misinformation being distributed among social media platforms. Discussion ensued between Councilmembers regarding whether or not to have a public meeting between residents and Councilmembers to address misinformation and to discuss their community concerns. Councilmembers agreed to try a public meeting with residents to engage Councilmembers individually while adhering to Sunshine Law requirements. VILLAGE MANAGER MATTERS/REPORTS Mr. Huff stated that it was important for residents to contact Councilmembers and staff in order to give staff the opportunity to address concerns immediately. Mr. Huff gave an update on an issue with ducks in a retention pond in the Town of Lake Park. Mr. Huff stated that the management company responsible for the site was contacted and they would be rectifying the situation. Mr. Huff stated that the Communications Department did a great job in promoting Public Works Week by adding a video interviewing staff from Public Works. Mr. Huff stated that the house at 713 Westwind Drive had been demolished and asked for direction on what Council would like to do with the vacant property going forward. Minutes of the Village Council Regular Session held May 22, 2024 Page 6 of 6 VILLAGE MANAGER MATTERS/REPORTS continued Council came to consensus to have an appraisal done on the property in order to make a decision. Mr. Huff stated that he would work on getting the appraisal and bring it back to Council for consideration. Mayor Searcy wished everyone a blessed Memorial Day. ADJOURNMENT There being no farther business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 7:59 p.m. Jessica1G,teen, MMC, Village Clerk