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Home My WebLink About08-28-2025 VC REG-MPresent: MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION VILLAGE COUNCIL OF NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA AUGUST 28, 2025 Deborah Searcy, Mayor Lisa Interlandi, Vice Mayor Kristin Garrison, President Pro Tem Orlando Puyol, Councilmember Chuck Huff, Village Manager Len Rubin, Village Attorney Marquetta Fells, Deputy Village Clerk Absent: Susan Bickel, Councilmember ROLL CALL Mayor Searcy called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. All members of Council were present with the exception of Councilmember Susan Bickel. All members of staff were present. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Vice Mayor Interlandi led the public in the Pledge of Allegiance. ADDITIONS, DELETIONS, AND MODIFICATIONS TO THE AGENDA There were no additions, deletions, or modifications to the agenda. AWARDS AND RECOGNITION Proclamation - Library Card Sign-up Month Mayor Searcy read a proclamation for Library Card Sign-up Month. Library Director Julie Morrell introduced Clementine Robinson and her siblings Fin and Whinnie Robinson. Clementine signed for her first Library card. Ms. Morrell thanked Mayor Searcy and Council for the proclamation. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The Minutes of the Regular Session held August 14, 2025 were approved as written. Minutes of the Village Council Regular Session held August 28, 2025 Page 2 of 5 STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Sean Foster, 155 Ebbtide Rd, expressed his concern with information that was provided to Council at a previous meeting regarding the tree preservation ordinance and the removal of trees located at 155 Ebbtide Rd. Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce President Noel Martinez, Caitlyn Bergman Director of Strategic Planning, and Sandra Marin-Ruiz Florida Atlantic University (SBDC) briefly discussed initiatives and named the Local Business Resource Center and the Small Business Development Center as resources for business owners and entrepreneurs. Mayor Searcy engaged in questions and answers with Noel Martinez to clarify who is qualified for assistance. Councilmember Puyol expressed his excitement for the presented opportunities for business owners. Councilmember Puyol addressed Mr. Foster's comments regarding tree preservation and removal and provided clarification on his past comments. CONSENT AGENDA APPROVED Councilmember Puyol moved to approve the Consent Agenda. President Pro Tem Garrison seconded the motion, which passed with all present voting aye. The following items were approved. Resolution approving an Easement Deed in favor of Seacoast Utility Authority over a portion of Anchorage Park for a force main replacement. Resolution approving a Fourth Amendment to the Professionals Services Agreement with Chen Moore & Associates, Inc. to increase the total amount of compensation for Fiscal Year 2025 to $275,000; and authorizing execution of the Amendment. Resolution accepting a proposal from BD Environmental Group, LLC for Cured In Place Pipe Liner at 709 Kittyhawk Way at a total cost of $22,500; and authorizing execution of the Contract. Receive file for Minutes of the Police and Fire Pension Board Meeting held 5/13/25. Receive file for Minutes of the Environmental Committee Meeting held 7/7/25. Receive file for Minutes of the Recreation Advisory Board Meeting held 7/8/25. PUBLIC HEARING AND SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE 2025-13 — CODE AMENDMENT — BOARDS AND COMMITTEES ROTATION OF CHAIR A motion was made by Councilmember Puyol and seconded by Vice Mayor Interlandi to adopt and enact on second 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 Minutes of the Village Council Regular Session held August 28, 2025 Page 3 of 5 PUBLIC HEARING AND SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE 2025-13 — CODE AMENDMENT — BOARDS AND COMMITTEES ROTATION OF CHAIR continued 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 briefly discussed that the Ordinance passed on first reading as drafted at the last Council meeting. The proposed ordinance would read "While it 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 1st of each year since some boards now meet quarterly and not within the month of May. Mayor Searcy opened the public hearing. There being no public comment, Mayor Searcy closed the public hearing and opened Council discussion. Vice Mayor Interlandi and Councilmember Puyol ensued in discussion. Councilmember Puyol expressed that Council should be made aware of any changes with boards and committees. Mayor Searcy ensued in discussion. Vice Mayor Interlandi recommended requiring a unanimous vote, if there is a disagreement, the board should address Council with Council making the final decision if the board wants the chair to remain the same or rotate. Mr. Rubin ensued in discussion providing suggestions to change to unanimous vote. Council discussion ensued. Councilmember Puyol made a motion to amend Ordinance 2025-13 to read that it be by unanimous vote, to appoint a chairperson to serve successive terms. Vice Mayor Interlandi seconded the motion. Thereafter the motion to amend Ordinance 2025-13 passed with all present voting aye. Thereafter the motion to adopt Ordinance 2025-13 as amended on second reading passed with all present voting aye. RESOLUTION 2025-42 COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT WITH FEDERATION OF PUBLIC EMPLOYEES A motion was made by Councilmember Puyol and seconded by Vice Mayor Interlandi to adopt resolution 2025-42 entitled: Minutes of the Village Council Regular Session held August 28, 2025 Page 4 of 5 RESOLUTION 2025-42 COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT WITH FEDERATION OF PUBLIC EMPLOYEES continued A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA, APPROVING A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE VILLAGE AND THE FEDERATION OF PUBLIC EMPLOYEES AND AUTHORIZING THE VILLAGE MANAGER, MAYOR, AND VILLAGE CLERK TO EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE VILLAGE; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Director of Human Resources Jennifer Cain explained the process of the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Federation of Public Employees that will become effective on October 1, 2025. Ms. Cain provided Council with the additions, removals, and enhancements of the agreement. Mayor Searcy asked Ms. Cain to identify the employees covered by FPE. Ms. Cain identified the employees covered under FPE as the General Employee Union, Public Works, Solid Waste, Fleet, Building Inspectors, Code Compliance and Library employees. Ms. Cain proceeded to explain the changes which were the removal of payroll auto deduction of union dues, updates were made to the vacation calendar to reflect a personal day, an increase was added to the Fleet departments tool allowance. Language was added to match Resolution 2019-84 related to pay provisions for declared emergency, and updated step-up pay and updated and increased holiday pay. Ms. Cain stated that 4% wage increases will take effect on October 1, 2025 followed by 1%, 2%, 3% increase in the month of April based on evaluation scores concluded increases will be moved to occur only in the month of April in year 2 and 3 of the contract. Ms. Cain disclosed department and top out increase. Council thanked staff for all their hard work. Thereafter the motion to adopt Resolution 2025-42 passed with all present voting aye. MAYOR AND COUNCIL MATTERS/REPORTS Vice Mayor Interlandi expressed concern with the passing of Senate Bill 180, providing a brief detailed description of the bill and how the bill affects the Village. Vice Mayor Interlandi asked Council to join Weiss Serota law firm to challenge the bill. Mr. Rubin ensued in discussion. Mr. Rubin informed Council that communication with Weiss Serota has begun beginning with a sample of a Resolution that was sent out to all municipalities. Mr. Rubin stated that the cost will be split with all participating municipalities. Mr. Rubin began to explain the Senate Bill and provisions. Mr. Huff ensued in discussion Discussion ensued between Councilmembers and Mr. Rubin regarding Senate Bill 180. Mr. Huff and Mr. Rubin ensued in discussion on the timeline of the litigation, regarding the EAR and Comprehensive Plan compliance. Minutes of the Village Council Regular Session held August 28, 2025 Page 5 of 5 MAYOR AND COUNCIL MATTERS/REPORTS continued Mr. Rubin recommended adding a resolution to the next agenda, with updates to come for cost and timing. Councilmember Puyol briefly expressed his experience and concern with the Country Club's Restaurant. Mr. Huff assured Mr. Puyol he will look into his concerns with the Country Club's Restaurant. VILLAGE MANAGER MATTERS/REPORTS Mr. Huff thanked Council and staff for their assistance with the Budget Workshops. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 6:47 p.m. Mar uett�'ells, Deputy Village lerk