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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-11-2025 VC REG-MPresent: MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION VILLAGE COUNCIL OF NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA DECEMBER 11, 2025 Deborah Searcy, Mayor Lisa Interlandi, Vice Mayor Susan Bickel, Councilmember Orlando Puyol, Councilmember Chuck Huff, Village Manager Len Rubin, Village Attorney Jessica Green, Village Clerk Absent: Kristin Garrison, President Pro Tem ROLL CALL Mayor Searcy called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. All members of Council were present except for President Pro Tem Garrison. 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 Item # 12 — Resolution — Professional Engineering and Surveying Services for Anchorage Park South Marina was removed from the agenda. AWARDS AND RECOGNITION The fall Business of the Season Award was awarded to The Safe Harbor Marina. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The Minutes of the Regular Session held November 13, 2025 were approved as written. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC INTRODUCTION OF APPLICANTS TO RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD The following applicant was introduced to the Village Council: Jeremiah Parisoe Minutes of the Village Council Regular Session held December 11, 2025 Page 2 of 6 INTRODUCTION OF APPLICANTS TO RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD continued The following applicant was not able to attend the meeting: Cristy Johnson RESOLUTION 2025-59— APPOINTING ONE RESIDENT MEMBER TO THE RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD By written ballots, the originals of which are attached to the minutes of record, the Council appointed Cristy Johnson to the Recreation Advisory Board. A motion was made by Councilmember Puyol and seconded by Councilmember Bickel to adopt Resolution 2025-59 entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA, APPOINTING A MEMBER TO THE RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DA 1E. Mayor Searcy expressed her thanks and appreciation to all those who applied and were willing to serve on the Village's Recreation Advisory Board. Thereafter, the motion to adopt Resolution 2025-59 passed with all present voting aye. CONSENT AGENDA APPROVED Councilmember Bickel moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Councilmember Puyol seconded the motion, which passed with all present voting aye. The following items were approved: Receive for file Minutes of the Police and Fire Pension Board meeting held 8/12/25. Receive for file Minutes of the General Employees' Pension Board meeting held 8/21/25. Receive for file Minutes of the Environmental Committee meetings held 10/6/25 and 11/10/25. Receive for file Minutes of the Planning, Zoning and Adjustment Board meeting held 11/4/25. PUBLIC HEARINGS AND OUASI-JUDICAL MATTERS PUBLIC HEARING AND SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE 2025-16- CODE AMENDMENT — PENSION AND CERTAIN OTHER BENEFITS FOR FIRE AND POLICE EMPLOYEES A motion was made by Councilmember Puyol and seconded by Vice Mayor Interlandi to adopt and enact on second 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; Minutes of the Village Council Regular Session held December 11, 2025 Page 3 of 6 PUBLIC HEARING AND SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE 2025-16- CODE AMENDMENT — PENSION AND CERTAIN OTHER BENEFITS FOR FIRE AND POLICE EMPLOYEES continued 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 approved on first reading on October 23, 2025 and was being brought forth for second reading. The Police and Fire Pension Board considered the Ordinance at its November 17, 2025 meeting and had no objection to Village Council's adoption as drafted. 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 second reading Ordinance 2025-16 passed with all present voting aye. RESOLUTIONS — NOTICES OF INTENT TO USE UNIFORM METHOD OF COLLECTION FOR NON -AD VALOREM SEPCIAL ASSESSMENTS ON THE ANNUAL TAX BILL RESOLUTION 2025-60— NOTICE OF INTENT FOR NON -AD VALOREM ASSESSMENT FOR FIRE PROTECTION A motion was made by Councilmember Puyol and seconded by Vice Mayor Interlandi to adopt Resolution 2025-60 entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA, STATING THE VILLAGE'S INTENTION TO USE THE UNIFORM METHOD OF COLLECTION FOR NON -AD VALOREM SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS ON THE ANNUAL TAX BILL PURSUANT TO SECTION 197.3632, FLORIDA STATUTES, TO BE LEVIED BY THE VILLAGE TO FUND THE COST OF FIRE PROTECTION SERVICES; STATING THE NEED FOR THE LEVY OF THE ASSESSMENT; PROVIDING A LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF THE BOUNDARIES OF REAL PROPERTY SUBJECT TO THE LEVY; PROVIDING FOR MAILING OF A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE PALM BEACH COUNTY PROPERTY APPRAISER, THE PALM BEACH COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR, AND THE STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. RESOLUTION 2025-61— NOTICE OF INTENT FOR NON -AD VALOREM ASSESSMENT FOR SOLID WASTE A motion was made by Councilmember Puyol and seconded by Vice Mayor Interlandi to adopt Resolution 2025-61 entitled: Minutes of the Village Council Regular Session held December 11, 2025 Page 4 of 6 RESOLUTION 2025-61— NOTICE OF INTENT FOR NON -AD VALOREM ASSESSMENT FOR SOLID WASTE continued A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA, STATING THE VILLAGE'S INTENTION TO USE THE UNIFORM METHOD OF COLLECTION FOR NON -AD VALOREM SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS ON THE ANNUAL TAX BILL PURSUANT TO SECTION 197.3632, FLORIDA STATUTES, TO BE LEVIED BY THE VILLAGE TO FUND THE COST OF SOLID WASTE SERVICES; STATING THE NEED FOR THE LEVY OF THE ASSESSMENT; PROVIDING A LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF THE BOUNDARIES OF REAL PROPERTY SUBJECT TO THE LEVY; PROVIDING FOR MAILING OF A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE PALM BEACH COUNTY PROPERTY APPRAISER, THE PALM BEACH COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR, AND THE STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Mr. Rubin explained that the purpose of the Resolutions was to impose a non -ad valorem assessment for Tax Year 2026 (or Fiscal Year 2027) due to the possible future limitations on the Village's ability to collect ad valorem property taxes on potential increases in the applicable property tax exemptions. The assessments would reasonably allocate the costs of providing solid waste services and fire protection services among the properties that benefit from such services without regard to the property values and would be placed on the annual tax bill. The Resolutions state the Village's intention to use the statutory method of collection to impose special assessments to recover the costs of providing solid waste services and fire protection services for properties located within the Village's municipal limits. The annual portion of the special assessment shall be placed on the annual tax bill and shall be collected by the Palm Beach County Tax Collector commencing with the 2026 Tax Year. Once the resolutions are adopted the Village must transmit copies to the Tax Collector, the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser and the Florida Department of Revenue by January 10, 2026. The Village must then enter into written agreements with both the Tax Collector and the Property Appraiser providing for reimbursement of necessary administrative costs incurred by those agencies. Once the agreements are executed, the Village will need to engage the services of a consultant to determine the amount of each assessment and the methodology of the imposition of the assessment against various types and sizes of properties of properties within the Village. Mayor Searcy opened the public hearing on Resolutions 2025-60 and 2025-61. There being no comments from the public, Mayor Searcy closed the public hearing on Resolutions 2025-60 and 2025-61. Discussion ensued between Councilmembers, Mr. Rubin and Mr. Huff regarding the next steps in the process. Thereafter, the motion to adopt Resolution 2025-60 passed with all present voting aye. Thereafter, the motion to adopt Resolution 2025-61 passed with all present voting aye. Minutes of the Village Council Regular Session held December 11, 2025 Page 5 of 6 RESOLUTION 2025-62— PUBLIC SAFETY EMERGENCY GENERATOR REPLACEMENT A motion was made by Councilmember Puyol and seconded by Councilmember Bickel to adopt Resolution 2025-58 entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA ACCEPTING A PROPOSAL FROM ALL FLORIDA CONTRACTING SERVICES, LLC FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING GENERATOR AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND VILLAGE CLERK TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT FOR SUCH SERVICES; AUTHORIZING THE VILLAGE MANAGER TO TAKE ALL ACTIONS NECESSARY TO EFFECTUATE A GRANT AWARD FROM THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Facilities Manager James Anthony explained that the purpose of the resolution was to accept a proposal from All Florida Contracting Services LLC to purchase and install a replacement emergency backup generator for the Public Safety Building. The current generator was over 20 years old and in need of replacement. A total of four (4) responses were received from a Request for Proposals. All Florida Contracting Services provided a quote of $375,600. After review and scoring of the proposals by staff, it was determined that All Florida Contracting Services scored the highest and therefore staff was recommending acceptance of their proposal. The Village has been awarded a $255,000 grant from the Division of State Fire Marshal to assist with the purchase. Mr. Huff explained that the new generator would be considered a Capital Purchase utilizing CIP Funds to fund the purchase. Thereafter, the motion to adopt Resolution 2025-62 passed with all present voting aye. MAYOR AND COUNCIL MATTERS/REPORTS Director of Parks and Recreation Ashley Shipman gave an update on the upcoming holiday festivities. Mayor Searcy announced that Santa would be riding around the Village on Fire Truck #67 on December 20th Mayor Searcy thanked staff for their work on all of the holiday events and festivities. Mayor Searcy stated that she received a request to donate the opportunity to be Mayor for the day to The Benjamin School Gala. Mayor Searcy asked for Council's recommendation. Council came to consensus to allow the winner of the donation to The Benjamin School Gala to be an "Honorary Mayor" for a day. Mayor Searcy stated that the Christmas holiday falls on a Thursday this year and recommended offering staff Friday, December 26th off as a paid holiday. A motion was made by Councilmember Bickel and seconded by Vice Mayor Interlandi to authorize the Village Manager to have Friday, December 26, 2025 as a paid holiday for all Village employees. Thereafter the motion passed with all present voting aye. Minutes of the Village Council Regular Session held December 11, 2025 Page 6 of 6 MAYOR AND COUNCIL MATTERS/REPORTS continued Councilmember Bickel informed Village Clerk Jessica Green that she had completed her Florida State Ethics Training for the calendar year. Councilmember Bickel stated that the question came up in the video whether or not Councilmembers should or should not attend Advisory Board meetings and the answer the attorney on the video gave was that it was not recommended due to the possibility of swaying a vote or offering unintentional impact. Councilmember Bickel asked if the policy that Councilmembers attend Advisory Board meetings should be rescinded. Discussion ensued between Councilmembers and Mr. Rubin regarding their attendance at Advisory Board and Committee meetings. Councilmember Bickel asked if there could be a written policy stating that Councilmembers are not allowed to speak at Advisory Board or Committee meetings unless it is for informational clarity. Mr. Rubin stated that he would work with Mrs. Green to provide a policy or letter for the Councilmembers and Advisory Board and Committee members. Councilmember Puyol read a priority statement from the Florida League of Cities Finance and Taxation Committee regarding the bill to remove property taxes. Councilmember Puyol discussed ways of educating the public regarding the proposed property tax reform. Vice Mayor Interlandi asked for an update on Buoy Road. Public Works Director Chad Girard stated that staff was working with Seacoast Utilities and should be receiving plans within the next week or two and anticipates that the project will go out for bid in February 2026. Mr. Girard stated that the swale remediation should take place before the holidays. Councilmember Puyol thanked Mr. Huff and Mr. Girard for attending a neighborhood meeting on Fairhaven Place regarding requests for the cul-de-sac. VILLAGE MANAGER MATTERS/REPORTS Mr. Huff thanked and congratulated the three incumbents, Deborah Searcy, Lisa Interlandi and Orlando Puyol for being re-elected to office without opposition to serve another two-year term. Mr. Huff wished everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Holiday and Happy Hanukkah. ADJOURNMENT There being o fu ' ' er business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 6:48 p.m. Jessifa)Green, MC, Village Clerk DECEMBER 11, 2025 VILLAGE BOARDS AND COMMITTEES TALLY SHEET Name (I=Incumbent) Cristy Johnson Jeremiah Parisoe Vote for 1 )f ViII,Qttomey Village e1erk RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD Round 2 Round 3 Round 4 * Applicants for Multiple Boards VILLAGE BOARDS AND COMMITTEES BALLOT December 11, 2025 Name (I=Incumbent) Cristy Johnson Jeremiah Parisoe Vote for t � Councilmember Bickel RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD Round 2 Round 3 Round 4 * Applicants for Multiple Boards VILLAGE BOARDS AND COMMITTEES BALLOT December 11, 202p Name (I=Incumbent) Cristy Johnson Jeremiah Parisoe Vote for 1 Vice Mayor nterlandi RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD Round 2 Round 3 Round 4 * Applicants for Multiple Boards VILLAGE BOARDS AND COMMITTEES BALLOT December 11, 2025 Name (I=Incumbent) Cristy Johnson Jeremiah Parisoe Vote for 1 i RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD Round 2 Round 3 Round 4 y �) Mayor Searc * Applicants for Multiple Boards VILLAGE BOARDS AND COMMITTEES BALLOT December 11, 2025 Name (I=Incumbent) Cristy Johnson Jeremiah Parisoe RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD Vote for 1 Round 2 Round 3 Councilmemy-r Puyol Round 4 * Applicants for Multiple Boards