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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-08-2026 VC REG-MPresent: ROLL CALL MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION VILLAGE COUNCIL OF NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA JANUARY 8, 2026 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 Mayor Searcy called the meeting to order at 6:00 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. Mayor Searcy gave eulogy to former Councilmember Kristin Garrison and former Senior Building Inspector Jeremy Scott. Mayor Searcy asked for a moment of silence in honor and remembrance of both who recently passed away. Mayor Searcy stated that the family had asked for donations to be made to the Education Foundation of Palm Beach County in memory of Kristin Garrison and asked Council if they would like to donate in honor of Mrs. Garrison and if they would also like to make a donation in honor of Mr. Scott to a charity or organization of his family's choice. Mayor Searcy asked Mr. Huff to discuss what could be done to honor the memory of Kristin Garrison as a former Councilmember. Mr. Huff stated that in the past a bench, tree or brick has been memorialized in honor of certain employees or Councilmembers who have passed away. Mayor Searcy recommended that Mr. Huff reach out to Mrs. Garrison's husband to receive his input on what type of memorial to have. Councilmember Bickel supported making a donation to the Education Foundation of Palm Beach County in memory of Kristin Garrison and to make a donation in Mr. Scott's honor as well to a charity or foundation of his family's choice. Minutes of the Village Council Regular Session held January 8, 2026 Page 2 of 6 APPROVAL OF MINUTES The Minutes of the Regular Session held December 11, 2025 were approved as written. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Chris Ryder, 118 Dory Road S., expressed his condolences on the loss of former Councilmember Kristin Garrison. Mr. Ryder stated that Mr. Ron Okolichany would be announcing his candidacy and expressed his support for Mr. Okolichany. Mr. Ryder stated that the Village Manager was asked for a complete set of data regarding the Country Club's expenses. Mr. Ryder expressed his concerns regarding the Country Club's financials. Ron Okolichany, 417 Northlake Drive, wished everyone a Happy New Year and expressed condolences on the loss of former Councilmember Kristin Garrison. Mr. Okolichany stated that retired Village police officer Bill Kennedy just recently passed away. Mr. Okolichany stated that due to the untimely passing of Mrs. Garrison, the Village would be holding a Special Election to fill the vacancy on Council and congratulated Kendra Zellner and David Norris for qualifying to run as candidates for the Special Election. Mr. Okolichany announced that he turned in his initial paperwork to Village Clerk Green and would be qualifying and running as a candidate in the Village's Special Election on March 24, 2026. Mary Phillips, 525 Ebbtide Drive, thanked Council for honoring the late Kristin Garrison and expressed her thoughts on her untimely passing and appreciation of Mrs. Garrison's positive influence. Ms. Phillips stated that Ms. Zellner was not able to attend the meeting, but wanted to announce on Ms. Zellner's behalf that she had filed to run for the vacancy on Council and was running to be a voice for the western side of the Village. 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 item was approved: Receive for file Minutes of the Recreation Advisory Board meeting held 10/14/25. ORDINANCE 2026-01 — CODE AMENDMENT — BUILDING HEIGHT REGULATIONS A motion was made by Councilmember Puyol and seconded by Vice Mayor Interlandi to adopt on first reading Ordinance 2026-01 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; AMENDING ARTICLE I, "IN GENERAL," BY AMENDING SECTION 45-2 TO INCLUDE A DEFINITION FOR HEIGHT OF BUILDING; AMENDING ARTICLE III, "DISTRICT REGULATIONS," BY AMENDING SECTION 45-27, "R-1 SINGLE-FAMILY DISTRICT," TO CLARIFY THAT THE HEIGHT MEASUREMENT APPLIES TO THE HIGHEST ROOF LINES, SECTION 45-28, "R-2 MULTIPLE -FAMILY DWELLING DISTRICT," TO INCORPORATE THE HEIGHT MEASUREMENT REGULATIONS FROM THE R-1 ZONING DISTRICT, AND SECTION 45-36, "GENERAL Minutes of the Village Council Regular Session held January 8, 2026 Page 3 of 6 ORDINANCE 2026-01 — CODE AMENDMENT — BUILDING HEIGHT REGULATIONS continued PROVISIONS," TO CLARIFY THE SETBACKS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR DETACHED AUTOMOBILE GARAGES IN THE R-1 AND R-2 ZONING DISTRICTS; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Lance Lilly, Village Planning Consultant explained the purpose of the ordinance was to amend the Village Code to provide a definition for height. The proposed ordinance provides a general building height definition, mirrors the R-1 Zoning District regulations for height, and clarifies setbacks for automobile garages. John Samadi, 512 Marlin Road, expressed his concerns regarding the proposed ordinance and revisions to the code. Councilmembers and Mr. Rubin discussed Mr. Samadi's comments and the proposed ordinance. Council requested that the ordinance clarify that all detached garages in the R-1 and R-2 zoning district provide a driveway to allow vehicular access. Mr. Rubin stated that the ordinance could be revised to include the Council's request and included with the second reading of the ordinance. Thereafter, the motion to adopt on first reading Ordinance 2026-01 passed with all present voting aye. ORDINANCE 2026-02 — CODE AMENDMENT — REORGANIZATION AND DIVISION OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT A motion was made by Councilmember Bickel and seconded by Councilmember Puyol to adopt on first reading Ordinance 2026-02 entitled: AN ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE VILLAGE CODE OF ORDINANCES TO RECOGNIZE THE REORGANIZATION AND DIVISION OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT AND CLARIFY THE DUTIES OF EACH DIRECTOR; AMENDING ARTICLE III, "ADMINISTRATIVE CODE," OF CHAPTER 2, "ADMINISTRATION" BY AMENDING SECTIONS 2-40 AND 2-111; AMENDING ARTICLE III, "CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS," OF CHAPTER 5, "BOATS, DOCKS AND WATERWAYS," BY AMENDING SECTION 5-72; AMENDING ARTICLE III, "APPEARANCE CODE," ARTICLE IV, "ABATEMENT OF UNSAFE OR UNSANITARY BUILDINGS," ARTICLE V, "SIGNS AND OUTDOOR DISPLAYS," AND ARTICLE VI, "IMPACT FEES," OF CHAPTER 6, "BUILDINGS AND BUILDING REGULATIONS," BY AMENDING SECTIONS 6-56, 6-59, 6-60, 6-61, 6-74, 6-75, 6-76, 6-79, 6-80, 6-82, 6-83, 6-84, 6-85, 6-111, 6-117, AND 6-124; AMENDING ARTICLE II, "FILLING PERMIT," OF CHAPTER 7, "FILL PERMIT," BY AMENDING SECTIONS 7-18 AND 7-20; AMENDING ARTICLE I, "ADMINISTRATION," OF CHAPTER 12.5, "FLOOD DAMAGE PROTECTION," BY AMENDING SECTION 12.5-3; AMENDING ARTICLE II, "GARBAGE, Minutes of the Village Council Regular Session held January 8, 2026 Page 4 of 6 ORDINANCE 2026-02 — CODE AMENDMENT — REORGANIZATION AND DIVISION OF F_ THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT continued TRASH AND REFUSE," AND ARTICLE IV, "ABATEMENT OF PUBLIC NUISANCES ON PRIVATE PROPERTY," OF CHAPTER 14, "HEALTH AND SANITATION," BY AMENDING SECTIONS 14-27, 14-81, 14-82, AND 14-83; AMENDING ARTICLE I, "PROPERTY MAINTENANCE STANDARDS," AND ARTICLE II, "ABANDONED REAL PROPERTY," OF CHAPTER 15, "HOUSING," BY AMENDING SECTIONS 15-3 AND 15-14; AMENDING ARTICLE VII, "PEDDLERS AND SOLICITORS," OF CHAPTER 17, "LICENSES AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS REGULATIONS," BY AMENDING SECTIONS 17-84, 17-85, 17-88, 17-92, AND 17-93; AMENDING ARTICLE I, "IN GENERAL," ARTICLE IV, "CONCURRENCY MANAGEMENT," AND ARTICLE V, "STORMWATER MANAGEMENT," OF CHAPTER 21, "PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT," BY AMENDING SECTIONS 21-3, 21-44, 21-47, 21-70, AND 21-104; AMENDING ARTICLE II, "WORK PERFORMED WITHIN RIGHTS -OF -WAY," OF CHAPTER 24, "STREETS, SIDEWALKS AND PUBLIC PLACES," BY AMENDING SECTION 24-22; AMENDING ARTICLE II, "GENERALLY," ARTICLE III, "DISTRICT REGULATIONS," ARTICLE VI, "REZONINGS; VARIANCES; WAIVERS; ADMINISTRATIVE APPEALS," AND ARTICLE VIII, "LANDSCAPING," OF APPENDIX C (CHAPTER 45), "ZONING," BY AMENDING SECTIONS 45-16.1, 45-16.2, 45-20, 45-25, 45-27, 45-34.1, 45-35.1, 45-36, 45-37, 45-38, 45-50, 45-51, AND 45-82; AMENDING APPENDIX A, "APPEARANCE PLAN," BY AMENDING SECTION I, "BASIS FOR APPEARANCE PLAN;" AMENDING THE VILLAGE CODE TO CHANGE ALL CODE REFERENCES FROM THE PLANNING COMMISSION TO THE PLANNING, ZONING AND ADJUSTMENT BOARD; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Mr. Rubin explained that when the current Comprehensive Pay Plan was adopted for the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, the former Community Development Department had been re -designated as the Building and Zoning Department. The Village Council amended the Comprehensive Pay Plan in October 2025 to create one full-time Director of Planning and Economic Development position and rename and restructure the Building and Zoning Department back to the Community Development Department. The revised ordinance recognizes the structure of the Community Development Department, with the Planning and Economic Development Director overseeing all planning and zoning and code compliance functions and the Building Director overseeing all planning all building permitting and inspection functions. It further amends the code to assign almost all of the duties of the former Community Development Director position to the new Director of Planning and Economic Development position. Lastly, while all references to the Planning Commission were changed to the Planning, Zoning and Adjustment Board through the adoption of Ordinance No. 2023-18, this change was not codified by Municode. Therefore, Section 25 of the proposed Ordinance reaffirms this change without modifying each and every reference (to that the provision was not otherwise amended). John Samadi, 512 Marlin Road, expressed his concerns with the quality and efficiency of the Community Development Department stating that the code amendment would not address the issues. Councilmember Bickel clarified that there was no financial impact associated with the code amendment. Thereafter, the motion to adopt on first reading Ordinance 2026-02 passed with all present voting aye. Minutes of the Village Council Regular Session held January 8, 2026 Page 5 of 6 MAYOR AND COUNCIL MATTERS/REPORTS Mayor Searcy thanked Recreation and Public Works staff for their work at the Village's past Halloween Events. Mayor Searcy thanked the Library for the Jane Austin programing and events. Mayor Searcy thanked the IT Department and Police Department for auto renewing alarm permits. Mayor Searcy thanked Village staff that worked over the holidays. Vice Mayor Interlandi thanked the Village's Police Department for their efforts and work on protecting and preserving the Lake Worth Lagoon with regards to derelict boats, anchoring and mooring and making sure that boats on the water were safe and seaworthy. Councilmember Bickel asked Mr. Huff to provide the 2024 Country Club Financials at a future meeting. Councilmember Bickel stated that she was encouraged and thankful that so far there were three (3) candidates for the Special Election and was hopeful for a clean, kind and informative election. Councilmember Puyol discussed how he found debris in the ocean while fishing earlier that day and how it related to the importance of environmental efforts to keep the waterways clean. Councilmember Puyol discussed recent issues and complaints regarding Lakeside Park and asked that Council to respond to the emails and complaints. Mr. Huff discussed the complaints and issues at Lakeside Park and explained that he sent the emails he received to Council so that they were all aware of the situation and on the same page. Mr. Huff stated that he met with Chief Coliskey and certain residents of the park to come up with solutions to the issues and complaints. Councilmember Bickel clarified that emails were received from one resident of Lakeside Park and stated that it was not many emails from many residents. The email was regarding an incident that was not illegal but was disturbing. Vice Mayor Interlandi stated that the situation although it was not illegal, was addressed by the Police Department. Discussion ensued between Councilmembers regarding the isolated incident and emails received regarding Lakeside Park. VILLAGE MANAGER MATTERS/REPORTS Mr. Huff asked for the donation amount that Council wanted to give in honor of Mrs. Garrison. Council came to consensus to donate $1000 in honor of Mrs. Garrison. Councilmember Puyol asked if a donation would be made in honor of Mr. Scott. Minutes of the Village Council Regular Session held January 8, 2026 VILLAGE MANAGER MATTERS/REPORTS Councilmember Bickel stated that a charity or foundation was not listed by Mr. Scott's family and that the Village could send flowers. Mr. Huff stated that flowers would be sent to the Scott family. Councilmember Bickel stated that if Mr. Scott's family wanted Council to make a monetary donation to a charity or foundation, that Council could decide the amount at that time. ADJOURNMENT There being n rther business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 6:51 p.m. Jessi Iireen,M C, Village Clerk Page 6 of 6