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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-14-2025 VC REG-MPresent: ROLL CALL MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION VILLAGE COUNCIL OF NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA AUGUST 14, 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 7:00 p.m. All members of Council were present. All members of staff were present. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Vice Mayor Interlandi led the public in the Pledge. ADDITIONS, DELETIONS, AND MODIFICATIONS TO THE AGENDA Mayor Searcy announced the addition of a Special Event Permit Request by Our Lady of Florida that would be heard under Village Manager Matters/Reports APPROVAL OF MINUTES The Minutes of the Regular Session held July 24, 2025 were approved as written. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Bob Perez, 636 Lighthouse Drive, expressed his concerns with the proposed reconstruction of the Lighthouse Bridge and stated that he did not support it. Chris Ryder, 118 Dory Rd. S, expressed his concerns regarding items that were discussed in a previous Council meeting that were not included in the agenda backup materials. Mr. Ryder also expressed his concerns regarding the Country Club Enterprise Fund and Anchorage Dry Storage fees. Minutes of the Village Council Regular Session held August 14, 2025 Page 2 of 8 STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC continued Karen Caskey, 641 Lighthouse Drive, expressed her concerns regarding the proposed design of the new Lighthouse Bridge. Ms. Caskey and other residents gave a demonstration of sidewalk and bridge width. Ms. Caskey discussed proposed bike lanes on the bridge and stated that she did not support bike lanes on the Lighthouse Bridge. Russell Beverstein, 415 U.S. Highway 1, expressed his concerns toward Senator Mike Caruso's support of the current President Donald J. Trump. Pam and Nick Cinilia, expressed their concerns regarding the proposed expansion of the Lighthouse Bridge and asked Council to limit the expansion to only what is absolutely necessary. Ronald Lantz, 720 Ibis Way, expressed his concerns with the proposed expansion of the Lighthouse Bridge and stated that he and the residents did not support a bike lane on the bridge. Florida House Representative Mike Caruso, District 87 gave a 2025 Legislative Session update. Councilmembers engaged in questions and answers with Senator Caruso to clarify certain Legislative bills and issues. Council thanked Senator Caruso for his support of North Palm Beach. In response to Mr. Ryder's comment, Councilmember Bickel recommended having a future workshop to discuss the inclusion or placement of agenda items on the Council meeting agendas that Council may be taking action on or making a decision on. Councilmember Puyol expressed his opposition to including a bike lane on the proposed Lighthouse Bridge design. In response to Mr. Beverstein's comment, Vice Mayor Interlandi stated that Council had passed policy and procedure that indicated that public comments were required to be directed toward Village business. Vice Mayor Interlandi stated that comments directed to towards State or Local Representatives were not appropriate. CONSENT AGENDA APPROVED Councilmember Puyol moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Councilmember Bickel seconded the motion, which passed with all present voting aye. The following items were approved: Motion to grant a merit increase of 4.4% to the Village Clerk based upon the averaged score of the performance evaluations and directing the Village to process same. Resolution declaring one 2015 Mack Front Load Refuse Truck as surplus property and authorizing its disposal. Receive for file Minutes of the General Employees' Pension Board meeting held 5/6/25. Receive for file Minutes of the Waterways Board meeting held 5/27/25. Receive for file Minutes of the Library Advisory Board meeting held 5/27/25. Receive for file Minutes of the Planning, Zoning, and Adjustment Board meeting held 7/1/25. Minutes of the Village Council Regular Session held August 14, 2025 Page 3 of 8 PUBLIC HEARING AND SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE 2025-12 - CODE AMENDMENT — TREE PRESERVATION A motion was made by Councilmember Puyol and seconded by Councilmember Bickel to adopt and enact on second reading Ordinance 2025-12 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 ADOPTING A NEW ARTICLE IX, "TREE PRESERVATION;" PROVIDING FOR THE PURPOSE AND APPLICABILITY; PROVIDING FOR DEFINITIONS; PROVIDING FOR PERMIT REQUIREMENTS, ISSUANCE, FEES, AND EXEMPTIONS; PROVIDING FOR PRESERVATION AND MITIGATION REQUIREMENTS; PROVIDING FOR ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES; PROVIDING FOR A TREE TRUST FUND; PROVIDING FOR APPEALS; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Mr. Rubin stated that there were no changes to the Ordinance since its first reading. Mayor Searcy opened the public hearing. Chris Ryder, 118 Dory Road S., thanked Council for incorporating an exception for the removal of fruit trees and expressed his concerns regarding the proposed tree preservation ordinance and gave comparisons of the tree preservation ordinances of surrounding municipalities. Karen Marcus 920 Evergreen Drive, and members of the Environmental Committee thanked Council for the tree preservation ordinance and gave a project update regarding the shade tree infrastructure of the Village. Deborah Cross, 2560 Pepperwood Circle, S., expressed her support of the tree preservation ordinance and shade tree infrastructure of the Village. There being no further comments from the public, Mayor Searcy closed the public hearing. Councilmember Bickel clarified that the tree preservation ordinance would only pertain to native and swale trees. Vice Mayor Interlandi stated that every municipality regulates or does not regulate tree cutting and landscaping differently based on the makeup of the municipality and its needs. Vice Mayor Interlandi asked if the ordinance recognized a swale tree that is out of compliance with the Village's code. Mr. Rubin stated that the ordinance did not distinguish swale trees that were not currently allowed by the Village's code. Discussion ensued between Councilmembers and Mr. Rubin regarding the proposed tree preservation ordinance. Councilmember Bickel recommended instituting a minimal landscaping code for residential homes. Minutes of the Village Council Regular Session held August 14, 2025 Page 4 of 8 PUBLIC HEARING AND SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE 2025-12 - CODE AMENDMENT — TREE PRESERVATION continued Discussion ensued between Councilmembers and Mr. Rubin regarding the possibility of the tree preservation ordinance being challenged. Thereafter, the motion to adopt and enact on second reading Ordinance 2025-12 passed unanimously. ORDINANCE 2025-13 — CODE AMENDMENT- BOARDS AND COMMITTEES- ROTATION OF CHAIR A motion was made by Councilmember Bickel and seconded by Vice Mayor Interlandi to adopt on first reading Ordinance 2025-13 entitled: AN ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING ARTICLE I, "IN GENERAL," OF CHAPTER 2, "ADMINISTRATION," OF THE VILLAGE CODE OF ORDINANCES BY AMENDING SECTION 2-1, "BOARDS AND COMMITTEES," TO MODIFY THE PROCEDURE FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRPERSONS; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Mr. Rubin explained that the purpose of the ordinance was to revise the requirement of the yearly rotation of chairpersons on the Village's boards and committees. Based on feedback from Council at the previous meeting, the proposed language would read "While is the intent of the village council that the chairperson rotate on an annual basis, a board or committee may, by majority vote, appoint a chairperson to serve successive terms." An additional proposed revision to the ordinance was to change the requirement for boards and committees to rotate their chairperson at the first meeting during the month of May to the first meeting after May 1 S` of each year since some boards now meet quarterly and not within the month of May. Chris Ryder, 118 Dory Road S., expressed his concerns regarding the proposed changes to the chairperson rotation requirements stating that it should continue to be required that the chairperson rotate on a yearly basis and asked Council to reconsider. Councilmember Puyol recommended that there be a waiver process included in the code that requires the board or committee to receive approval from Council if they do not wish to rotate their chairperson. Vice Mayor Interlandi recommended that the chairperson change by unanimous vote instead of by majority vote. Discussion ensued between Councilmembers, Mr. Huff, Mr. Rubin and Village Clerk Jessica Green regarding the proposed language. Thereafter the motion passed 4 to 1 with Mayor Searcy, Vice Mayor Interlandi, President Pro Tem Garrison and Councilmember Bickel voting aye and Councilmember Puyol voting nay. Minutes of the Village Council Regular Session held August 14, 2025 Page 5 of 8 RESOLUTION 2025-35 APPLICATION FEE AND TREE TRUST FUND CONTRIBUTIONS A motion was made by Vice Mayor Interlandi and seconded by Councilmember Puyol to adopt Resolution 2025-35 entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA, ESTABLISHING THE APPLICATION FEE AND TREE TRUST FUND CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE TREE PRESERVATION ORDINANCE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Mr. Rubin explained that through the adoption of Ordinance 2025-12 the Village Council adopted a new Article IX of Chapter 45 of the Village Code of Ordinances providing for the preservation of native and swale tree and mitigation for the loss of such trees through relocation, replacement, and/or contributions to the Village's Tree Trust Fund. Specifically, Section 45-105 of the Village Code requires the Village to establish a fee schedule for all matters related to tree removal, relocation, replacement, monetary contributions, and administrative reviews. Village Staff was proposing a tree removal permit fee of $25.00 per tree. The $500.00 cost of an administrative appeal was already established by the Village's fee schedule. Staff was recommending the following pay schedule for contributions to the Village's Tree Trust Fund: Size of Tree Contribution (per tree removed) Native tree with 12" or less DBH or native palm with 12' or Tess of clear $300.00 trunk Native tree with more than 12" up to 18" DBH or native palm with more $450.00 than 12' clear trunk Native tree with more than 18" DBH $600.00 Swale tree $200.00 Chris Ryder, 118 Dory Road S., expressed his concerns regarding the proposed fee schedule for the removal of trees. Mary Phillips, 525 Ebbtide Drive, recommended getting the public educated on the fees and the newly adopted Tree Preservation Ordinance. Discussion ensued between Councilmembers, Mr. Rubin and Mr. Huff regarding the proposed application fees and Tree Trust Fund contributions. Karen Marcus, 920 Evergreen Drive, expressed her support for the Resolution establishing the application fee and Tree Trust Fund Contributions. Ms. Marcus stated that the fees could be adjusted at a later date. A motion was made by Vice Mayor Interlandi and seconded by Councilmember Bickel to amend the payment schedule to add the following categories: Native tree with 6" or less DBH or native palm with 6' or Less of clear trunk contribution of $150, Native tree with more than 6" DBH up to 12" DBH or native palms with more than 6' of clear trunk up to 12' of clear trunk contribution of $300 and to change the Swale tree contribution from $300 to $600. Thereafter the motion to amend Resolution 2025-35 passed unanimously Thereafter the motion to adopt Resolution 2025-35 passed unanimously. Minutes of the Village Council Regular Session held August 14, 2025 Page 6 of 8 RESOLUTION 2025-36 SELF CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUSES PURCHASE A motion was made by Councilmember Bickel and seconded by Vice Mayor Interlandi to adopt Resolution 2025-36 entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE SOLE SOURCE PURCHASE OF THIRTY (30) MSA G1 SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUSES FOR USE BY THE VILLAGE FIRE RESCUE DEPARTMENT FROM TEN-8 FIRE EQUIPMENT, INC. PURSUANT TO PRICING ESTABLISHED IN AN EXISTING NATIONAL PURCHASING PARTNERS COOPERATIVE PURCHASING AGREEMENT; AUTHORIZING THE SURPLUS OF TWENTY-SIX (26) MSA FIREHAWK SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUSES; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Fire Chief Scott Fresemen explained that the purpose of the Resolution was to purchase thirty (30) MSA G1 Self -Contained Breathing Apparatuses including accessories and extended warranties, from Ten-8 Equipment, and the sale of twenty-six (26) MSA Firehawk SCBAs and related accessories to Dalmatian Fire Equipment. The total cost of the equipment would be $662,816.99 which would include a 20% contingency due to the upcoming 2025 NFPA standard change and MSA price increases scheduled for January 2026. Mr. Freseman explained that the current equipment utilized by the Fire Department was over ten (10) years old and was in need of replacement. Thereafter the motion to adopt Resolution 2025-36 passed unanimously. RESOLUTION 2025-37 RIVERSIDE ROAD AND EASTWIND DRIVE PAVING AND DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS A motion was made by Councilmember Puyol and seconded by Councilmember Bickel to adopt Resolution 2025-37 entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING A BID PROPOSAL FROM BOULDER CONSTRUCTION, LLC FOR PAVING AND DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS ON RIVERSIDE ROAD AND EASTWIND DRIVE AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND VILLAGE CLERK TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT FOR SUCH SERVICES; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Public Works Director Chad Girard explained that the purpose of the Resolution was to accept a proposal from Boulder Construction LLC for paving and drainage improvements to Riverside Road and Eastwind Drive. A total of eight (8) bids were received through an Invitation to Bid and Boulder Construction LLC submitted the lowest responsive and responsible bid totaling $203,044.60. Due to the nature of the work, staff was recommending a project contingency of approximately 20%, or $41,000 bringing the total requested project budget to $244,044.60. John Samadi, 512 Marlin Road, expressed his concerns with the proposed drainage and pavement improvements to Riverside Road, stating that the road has a design issue that was causing the drainage issues. Mr. Samadi provided alternative solutions to fixing the drainage and paving issues. Minutes of the Village Council Regular Session held August 14, 2025 Page 7 of 8 RESOLUTION 2025-37 RIVERSIDE ROAD AND EASTWIND DRIVE PAVING AND DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS continued Councilmember Bickel stated that she was very happy to see that the drainage improvements were taking place since her mother who used to live on Riverside Road had experienced issues with the drainage. Discussion ensued between Mr. Girard, Mr. Huff and Councilmembers regarding the drainage issues on Eastwind Drive and Riverside Road and the proposal of impact fees to address drainage issues on various roads throughout the Village. Discussion ensued between Mr. Girard, Mr. Huff, Mr. Rubin and Councilmembers regarding the possibility of separating out the work on Riverside Road and alternative solutions to address the design and drainage issues. Mr. Girard explained that the project was bid for work to be done on both Eastwind Drive and Riverside Road and could not be separated out. Thereafter the motion to adopt Resolution 2025-37 passed 4 tol with Mayor Searcy, Vice Mayor Interlandi, President Pro Tem Garrison and Councilmember Bickel voting aye and Councilmember Puyol voting nay. RESOLUTION 2025-38 THIRD AMENDMENT TO LEGAL SERVICES AGREEMENT A motion was made by President Pro Tem Garrison and seconded by Councilmember Bickel to adopt Resolution 2025-38 entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA, APPROVING A THIRD AMENDMENT TO THE LEGAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH TORCIVIA, DONLON, GODDEAU & RUBIN, P.A. AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND VILLAGE CLERK TO EXECUTE THE THIRD AMENDMENT; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Mr. Huff explained that Mr. Rubin's Legal Services Agreement was last amended to increase the hourly rate from $195.00 to $232.00 per hour. The proposed Third Amendment to the Agreement would increase the hourly rate from $232.00 to $250.00 per hour. Mr. Rubin explained that the proposed Third Amendment to the Agreement would include a 3% increase to the hourly rate each year in order to avoid future significant increases. Councilmembers agreed that Mr. Rubin's hourly rate was very reasonable compared to the hourly rate of attorneys for surrounding municipalities. Thereafter the motion to adopt Resolution 2025-38 passed unanimously. VILLAGE MANAGER MATTERS/REPORTS Mr. Huff explained that the Village received a Special Event Permit request by Our Lady of Florida for a Christmas tree lot for the purchase of real Christmas trees on the Our Lady of Florida property. Mr. Huff explained the purpose and allowances of a special permit. Minutes of the Village Council Regular Session held August 14, 2025 Page 8 of 8 VILLAGE MANAGER MATTERS/REPORTS Mr. Huff requested approval from Council for the Special Event Permit request since that type of event has never been in held in the Village before. Discussion ensued between Mr. Huff, Mr. Rubin and Councilmembers regarding the Special Event Permit request. Council came to consensus to allow staff to follow the permitting process for the Special Event Permit request entered by Our Lady of Florida for a Christmas tree lot for the purchase of real Christmas trees on the Our Lady of Florida property. MAYOR AND COUNCIL MATTERS/REPORTS Councilmember Bickel requested a $1000 sponsorship donation to MacArthur Beach State Park's MacBeach Gala fundraising event. Council came to consensus to make a $1000 sponsorship donation to MacArthur Beach State Park's MacBeach Gala fundraising event. Vice Mayor Interlandi asked for an update on the Grille Room that had been closed at the Country Club. Mr. Huff stated that he met with the new General Manager for the Lessing's Restaurant, Grille Room and Banquet Room and was working with the new manager to get the Grille Room back open and running. Councilmember Puyol presented an aerial view of a house on Waterway Drive showing a large swale tree planted at one of the residences and other residences down the street that had multiple boats docked behind their homes. Councilmember Puyol expressed his concerns regarding multiple boats docked behind homes and large trees planted in swales. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 9:17 p.m. Jessie Green, MMC, Village Clerk