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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-23-2025 VC REG-MPresent: MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION VILLAGE COUNCIL OF NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA OCTOBER 23, 2025 Deborah Searcy, Mayor Lisa Interlandi, Vice Mayor Kristin Garrison, President Pro Tem Orlando Puyol, Councilmember Chuck Huff, Village Manager Len Rubin, Village Attorney Jessica Green, 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 except for Councilmember Bickel who was not feeling well. All members of staff were present. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Vice Mayor Interlandi led the public in the Pledge. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The Minutes of the Regular Session held October 9, 2025 were approved as written. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Daniel Naegele, 855 Hawthorne Drive, expressed his concerns regarding the proposed Village Place project at the Twin City Mall site. Chris Ryder, 118 Dory Road S., expressed his concerns regarding discussion at the last Council meeting proposing incentivizing and adding height to condominium buildings located behind the Brass Ring Pub. Mr. Ryder also expressed his concerns regarding the Village's Comprehensive Plan and how the proposed Village Place project and its expansion was considered in the plan. Councilmember Puyol addressed Mr. Ryder's comments stating that the Village as a community needs to consider areas of redevelopment and that Council and residents need to be proactive regarding the future of the Village. Mayor Searcy stated that Council was planning to have listening sessions in January to hear what residents have to say. Mayor Searcy asked Mr. Huff when the sessions were scheduled. Minutes of the Village Council Regular Session held October 23, 2025 Page 2 of 7 STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC continued Mr. Huff stated that the sessions would be scheduled for either the first or second Council meeting in January. Vice Mayor Interlandi recommended public outreach by sending a mailing out to the residents who live in the condominiums behind the Brass Ring Pub to get their feedback. CONSENT AGENDA APPROVED Item 3 was removed from the Consent Agenda and placed on the Regular Agenda. Thereafter, the Consent agenda as amended was approved with all present voting aye. The following items were approved: Resolution approving the submission of an application for State Aid to Libraries Grant Funding; and authorizing execution of the Grant Agreement. Receive for file Minutes of the Country Club Advisory Board meeting held 5/12/25. Receive for file Minutes of the Planning, Zoning and Adjustment Board meeting held 8/5/25. Receive for file Minutes of the Environmental Committee meeting held 9/8/25. Receive for file Minutes of the Recreation Advisory Board meeting held 9/9/25. RESOLUTION 2025-54 — FY 2025-2026 COMPREHENSIVE PAY PLAN AMENDMENT A motion was made by Councilmember Puyol and seconded by Vice Mayor Interlandi to adopt Resolution 2025-54 entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA AMENDING THE COMPREHENSIVE PAY PLAN ADOPTED AS PART OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 BUDGET TO CREATE ONE FULL-TIME DIRECTOR OF PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND RENAME AND RESTRUCTURE THE BUILDING AND ZONING DEPARTMENT TO THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, RECLASSIFY ONE FULL-TIME CODE COMPLIANCE OFFICER TO ONE FULL-TIME CODE COMPLIANCE SUPERVISOR, ADD ONE PART-TIME SENIOR BUILDING CONSTRUCTION INSPECTOR POSITION, AND ADD ONE PART-TIME RECREATION ASSISTANT POSITION; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Mr. Huff explained the purpose of the resolution stating that the Building & Zoning Department was restructured in April 2025 and after evaluation of the new structure it was determined that an additional Director -level -position was needed to oversee the Planning and Code Compliance functions of the Department as well as focus on strategic growth, economic development, environmental protection and to support local businesses. Mr. Huff stated that the addition of a part-time Recreation Assistant in the Recreation Department was needed to provide adequate staffing coverage for the Community Center during operational hours and support current and future recreational programming at the Community Center. The changes to the Comprehensive Pay Plan would include the creation of one Full -Time Director of Planning & Economic Development, renaming and restructuring of the Building & Zoning Department to the Community Development Department, reclassifying one Full-time Code Compliance Officer to one Full -Time Code Compliance Supervisor, add one Part -Time Senior Building Construction Inspector position and add one Part -Time Recreation Assistant position. Minutes of the Village Council Regular Session held October 23, 2025 Page 3 of 7 RESOLUTION 2025-54 — FY 2025-2026 COMPREHENSIVE PAY PLAN AMENDMENT continued Councilmember Puyol and Vice Mayor Interlandi expressed their support for the Amendment. Mayor Searcy asked about the reasoning for returning to the Community Development name for the department. Mr. Huff and Mr. Rubin explained that there were many references in the Village code to the Community Development Department and it was easier to go back to the original name of the department versus the effort of revising the entire Village code. Thereafter the motion to adopt Resolution 2025-54 passed with all present voting aye. PUBLIC HEARINGS AND QUASI-JUDICAL MATTERS ORDINANCE 2025-16- CODE AMENDMENT — PENSION AND CERTAIN OTHER BENEFITS A motion was made by Vice Mayor Interlandi and seconded by Councilmember Puyol to adopt on first reading Ordinance 2025-16 entitled: AN ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA AMENDING DIVISION 4, "PENSION AND CERTAIN OTHER BENEFITS FOR FIRE AND POLICE EMPLOYEES," OF ARTICLE V, "PENSIONS AND RETIREMENTS SYSTEMS," OF CHAPTER 2, "ADMINISTRATION," OF THE VILLAGE CODE OF ORDINANCES BY AMENDING SECTION 2-170.1 TO IMPLEMENT CHANGES TO THE DEFERRED RETIREMENT OPTION PLAN RESULTING FROM MEMORANDUMS OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGENTS REPRESENTING POLICE OFFICER AND FIREFIGHTER EMPLOYEES; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Mr. Rubin explained that in September the Village Council approved and ratified Memorandums of Understanding with the Palm Beach County Police Benevolent Association, Inc. and the Professional Firefighters/Paramedics of Palm Beach County, Local 2928 IAFF, Inc. to extend the Deferred Option Retirement Plan (DROP) from five years to eight years. The ordinance was being brought forth for first reading. The Police and Fire Pension Board had not yet reviewed the proposed ordinance. The proposed ordinance would not be brought back to Council for second reading until the Police and Fire Pension Board has reviewed it at their next meeting. Mr. Rubin also explained an additional change to the ordinance was the last section deleting the reference to when payments must commence. Mayor Searcy opened the public hearing on Ordinance 2025-16. There being no comments from the public, Mayor Searcy closed the public hearing on Ordinance 2025-16. Thereafter, the motion to adopt and enact on first reading Ordinance 2025-16 passed with all present voting aye. Minutes of the Village Council Regular Session held October 23, 2025 OTHER VILLAGE BUSINESS MATTERS Presentation — Vulnerability Assessment Results Page 4 of 7 Dr. Samantha Danchuk of APTIM introduced herself and began a presentation on the Vulnerability Assessment Results. Dr. Danchuk stated that Jamie Mount, Assistant Public Works Director has been the project manager for the assessment and has been a tremendous help in supplying the data necessary to complete the assessment. Dr. Danchuk reviewed the agenda which would have the following topics of discussion: • Hazards Affecting North Palm Beach • What is a Vulnerability Assessment? • Key Takeaways • Community Input and Priorities • Results: Vulnerable Assets & Exposure Maps • Action Areas • Next Steps Dr. Danchuk continued the presentation by explaining and discussing the hazards affecting the Village which were sea level rise, storm surge, rainfall and wind and extreme heat. Dr. Danchuk explained that a Vulnerability Assessment collects data such as flooding — causes and scenarios, critical asset inventory and community input. A Vulnerability Assessment also includes a Flood Exposure Analysis, Critical Asset Analysis and a Risk Matrix. Dr. Danchuk stated that the key takeaways of the assessment were: • Most homes are safe from frequent flooding and tidal events. • Heavy rain and severe storms pose an elevated risk to infrastructure. • Stormwater assets, schools, parks, and utilities face higher future flood exposure. • Key roads like US-1 may flood during big storms, but many stay clear. • Extreme heat is a growing concern, especially in low -shade areas. • Four focus areas have been identified for targeted improvements. Dr. Danchuk continued the presentation by reviewing a Community Survey that was done and its results to date which were: • Flooding reports for Buoy Road, Country Club Drive, Country Club Court, Fathom Road West, Lakeside Drive, South Anchorage Drive, Corsair Drive and most swales and driveways. • Priorities and concerns were improving drainage systems (intersections and parking lots), infrastructure maintenance (roads, swales and utility upgrades), environmental preservation and controlled development and community resources. Dr. Danchuk reviewed the Community Input to Date stating that 75.6% of residents would like for the Village to prioritize flood projects and "Severe Storms" was ranked the highest for resident's concerns. Dr. Danchuk reviewed and explained Exposure and Sensitivity Maps stating that a Category 4 storm surge would impact 30% of the Village and 33% of the Village Assets. A Category 5 storm surge would impact 43% of the Village and 47% of the Village's Assets. A 100- Year Flood would impact 63% of the Village with a flood depth of 10 feet and a 500-Year Flood would impact 77% of the Village and 25% of the Village's Assets. Minutes of the Village Council Regular Session held October 23, 2025 Page 5 of 7 Presentation — Vulnerability Assessment Results continued Dr. Danchuk discussed and explained Private Property Below Base Flood Elevation and the impacts of a 100-Year Event stating that the majority of properties were resilient, 1/3 residential and 28 commercial properties were subject to greater than 1 foot of flooding, 50 residential properties could receive 1 to 2.5 feet of flooding, medium risk properties align with the identified focus areas and there are roads, Village owned assets, and critical infrastructure in the medium - risk zones. Dr. Danchuk discussed impacts to roads during a storm or flood event stating that a Category 5 storm surge would impact 50% of roads, with a 2 foot (avg) to 7 foot (max) flood depth. A 100-year flood event impacts 40% of roads, 10 feet (max) flood depth. A 10-year 24- hour rainfall event impacts 29% of roads. Dr. Danchuk discussed and explained Critical Infrastructure with regards to rainfall and high tides. Inland assets and critical facilities face two (2) feet of flooding, west Village residential areas may see flooding up to three (3) feet, and nearly half of assets face rainfall induced flooding (47% in a 10-year event, 48% in a 25-year event). Discussion ensued between Mr. Huff, Mr. Rubin and Councilmembers regarding sea walls in the Village that have not yet been replaced and may experience flooding from high tides. Dr. Danchuk continued by discussing and explaining Exposure & Sensitivity Maps stating that sea level rise scenarios show a gradual increase in maximum flood depths of 1 foot under the 2050 Intermediate Low scenario (1 ft NAVD), affecting 4% of the Village and 3 feet under the 2080 Intermediate scenario (3ft NAVD). Dr. Danchuk discussed the four most vulnerable outfalls as Outfall 1069 (East of Westwind Dr.). Outfall 1039 and 1040 (East of Marina Dr.), and Outfall 1018 (West of Waterway Dr./East of Lagoon Dr.) Dr. Danchuk discussed anticipated flood risks for Village parks stating that flood risk under the 10 year 24 hour + 2070 Int Low compound flood and sea level rise scenario included Anchorage Park which was low risk at less than 1 feet of flooding and Lakeside Park which was low risk at slightly above 1 feet of flooding. Dr. Danchuk discussed the threat of wind and extreme heat stating threat of extreme heat was to areas of all pavement and not trees, W Boundary of Village (PBG High School) and along U.S. Highway 1. Areas threatened by wind and tornados (170 mph) were buildings built before 2002, wood frame, manufactured homes, areas where flooding undermines buildings. Dr. Danchuk discussed and explained key findings of the urban tree canopy analysis stating that focus areas for adding trees were Shore Drive, Lagoon Drive, Waterway Drive, Buttonwood Road, Cinnamon Road, Gumtree Road and Honey Road. Dr. Danchuk concluded the presentation by discussing next steps stating that the next phase would focus on confirming focus areas and creating a final list of assets to be prioritized for adaption. There would be a prioritization of resilience strategies that would focus on high -risk infrastructure, facilities and roads and identify urgent mitigation needs and a phased resilience strategy based on high priority assets and target resilience areas by addressing flood -prone zones with stormwater upgrades and flood mitigation. Chris Ryder, 118 Dory Road S., discussed certain aspects of the Vulnerability Assessment including sea level, high tides and recommended sea wall replacement requirements for Village residences. Dr. Danchuk discussed and explained tidal epic. Council thanked Dr. Danchuk for her presentation. Minutes of the Village Council Regular Session held October 23, 2025 Page 6 of 7 MAYOR AND COUNCIL MATTERS/REPORTS Mayor Searcy announced the Fire Department Awards Banquet taking place on Friday, October 24th at the Country Club. Mayor Searcy announced the Links 5k Ghost Run at the Country Club on Saturday, October 25th beginning at 7:30 a.m., the Boo Village taking place on the same day at the Community Center from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., and the Boo Bark Bash on Halloween. Vice Mayor Interlandi thanked Mayor Searcy for her representation of the Village at the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce Mayor's Breakfast that morning. Councilmember Puyol gave an update from the Palm Beach County League of Cities Finance Taxation Committee workshop he recently attended and upcoming legislative bills. Councilmember Puyol stated that the new Palm Beach County League of Cities Executive Director Amelia Jadoo asked if Councilmembers could fill out a survey. Councilmember Puyol asked Village Clerk Green to provide the survey link to Councilmembers. Councilmember Puyol discussed a Strategic Communications in Crises presentation stating that he was impressed with the information provided. Councilmember Puyol recommended providing the information to Council and staff. Councilmember Puyol stated that the Mayor of Westlake provided metal drinking canisters at the most recent Palm Beach County League of Cities district meeting and provided some to Councilmembers. Mayor Searcy asked Mr. Rubin how the Village could have a workshop to discuss the possible elimination of property taxes and if residents can be notified of the Village's stance on the matter. Mr. Rubin stated that there were restrictions on what public funds could be utilized for and would research it and get back to Council with his findings. President Pro Tem Garrison stated that she and her husband would be traveling in the month of November and that she would not be able to attend any Council meetings or events during that time. VILLAGE MANAGER MATTERS/REPORTS Mr. Huff stated that traditionally due to the holidays, Council has one Council meeting in the month of November and one Council meeting in the month of December. Mr. Huff recommended canceling the November Council meeting and having the next Council meeting take place in December due to the fact that agenda items that were going forward would not be ready until mid - November or early December. Mr. Rubin stated that according to the Village Charter that Council is required to meet at least once a month. Mayor Searcy stated that the Council meeting in November should still take place since it is required in the Village Charter. Mayor Searcy stated that would not be able to attend the November 13th Council meeting because she needed to attend her daughter's school play. Minutes of the Village Council Regular Session held October 23, 2025 Page 7 of 7 MAYOR AND COUNCIL MATTERS/REPORTS continued Council agreed that a meeting should still take place in November since it is required in the Village Charter. Mr. Huff stated that he and staff would bring something forward to be heard at the next Council meeting scheduled for November 13tn ADJOURNMENT There being jrther business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 7:18 p.m. Green, MMC, Village Clerk