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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-26-2026 VC REG-MPresent: ROLL CALL MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION VILLAGE COUNCIL OF NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA MARCH 26, 2026 Lisa Interlandi, Mayor Orlando Puyol, Vice Mayor Susan Bickel, President Pro Tem Deborah Searcy, Councilmember Chuck Huff, Village Manager Len Rubin, Village Attorney Jessica Green, Village Clerk Mayor Interlandi 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 Puyol led the public in the Pledge. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The Minutes of the Regular Session held March 12, 2026 were approved as written. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Ron Okolichany, 417 Northlake Drive, thanked Council and staff for addressing the issues at Lorraine Court and stated that residents on Lighthouse Drive had concerns with speeding traffic. Mr. Okolichany asked if Village police could address the speeding traffic on Lighthouse Drive. Chris Ryder, 118 Dory Road S., expressed that he supported Ron Okolichany as a candidate for Village Council. Mr. Ryder expressed his concerns regarding the proposal of a Village Charter review. Vice Mayor Puyol asked Police Chief Rob Coliskey to comment on the speeding issues on Lighthouse Drive. Chief Coliskey stated that traffic units are deployed to Lighthouse Drive regularly and actions have been taken in the past to try and diffuse the speeding. Discussion ensued between Councilmembers and Mr. Huff regarding what has been done to address the traffic issues on Lighthouse Drive in the past and what could be done in the future. Minutes of the Village Council Regular Session held March 26, 2026 Page 2 of 5 STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC continued John Samadi, 512 Marlin Road, expressed his concerns regarding the Village Manager's evaluation and proposed merit increase. Councilmember Puyol addressed Mr. Samadi's comments stating that he supports the Village's employees and their work efforts. CONSENT AGENDA APPROVED President Pro Tem Bickel moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Councilmember Searcy seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. The following items were approved: Motion approving and ratifying Change Order 1A to provide water quality monitoring associated with the Marina Drive Roadway Improvements in an amount not to exceed $920; and authorizing the Village Manager to execute the Work Change Directive. Motion approving a merit increase of 4% to the Village Manager based on the total score of each Councilmember's performance evaluation. Receive for file Minutes of the Audit Committee meeting held 1/7/26. Receive for file Minutes of the Country Club Advisory Board meeting held 1/12/26. Receive for file Minutes of the Environmental Committee meeting held 2/2/26. Receive for file Minutes of the Recreation Advisory Board meeting held 2/10/26. Receive for file Minutes of the Business Advisory Board meeting held 2/17/26. RESOLUTION 2026-10 — ACCEPTANCE OF THE FY 2025 AUDIT REPORT A motion was made by Vice Mayor Puyol and seconded by President Pro Tem Bickel to adopt Resolution 2026-10 entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT PREPARED BY THE VILLAGE AUDITOR FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2025 AND AUTHORIZING ITS FILING WITH THE STATE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Deputy Village Manager Sarnia Janjua stated that the Audit Report was presented to the Audit Committee on March 11`". Mrs. Janjua recognized Erica Ramirez, Finance Director stating that this was Mrs. Ramirez's first audit completed entirely on her own and that she did a great job. Mrs. Janjua introduced Mr. Terry Norton who would present the 2025 Audit Report. Terry Morton of Nowlen, Holt & Miner, reviewed the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025. Mr. Morton stated that the Village had received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial reporting for the 37th year in a row. Vice Mayor Puyol asked Mr. Morton if it was accurate that the Country Club netted approximately $750,000. Minutes of the Village Council Regular Session held March 26, 2026 Page 3 of 5 RESOLUTION 2026-10 — ACCEPTANCE OF THE FY 2025 AUDIT REPORT continued Mr. Morton confirmed that the Country Club netted approximately $750,000. Vice Mayor Puyol stated that it was amazing that the Country Club netted approximately $750,000. Francine Mantyh, 655 Anchorage Drive, stated that she was a member of the Audit Committee and congratulated staff on doing an amazing job. Council expressed their appreciation to Village staff and the Audit Committee for their hard work and dedication. Thereafter, the motion to adopt Resolution 2026-10 passed unanimously. MAYOR AND COUNCIL MATTERS/REPORTS Charter Review Mr. Rubin explained that Council recently discussed initiating a review of the Village Charter. The purpose of the discussion was to outlay the history of the Charter and its past reviews and the procedure going forward. Mr. Rubin discussed and explained the makeup and history of its amendments and approvals by the electors of the Village. Mr. Rubin stated that the last time a comprehensive review of the Charter was done was in 2002. The Village Council appointed seven (7) residents to a Charter Review Committee that was created for the purpose of securing written recommendations for revisions to the Charter. Mr. Rubin stated that all except one of the amendments brought forward for a vote at the March 2003 election were approved. In 2006, the Village Council adopted Ordinance No. 2006-24 which allocated the duties of the Public Services Department to the Public Works Department and Community Development Department and clarifying that the Village Charter prohibition against contracting the duties and responsibilities of the Public Services Department shall be construed to apply to both the Public Works Department administration and the Community Development Department administration. Mr. Rubin further explained the procedure that would need to take place in order to make amendments to the Village Charter. The amendments would need to be submitted to a referendum vote of the municipality's electors. The revisions may be initiated by the Village Council, by ordinance, or by petition signed by ten percent (10%) of the registered electors as of the last preceding general election. Mr. Rubin discussed and explained which amendments could be made to the Village Charter without a referendum vote. Mr. Rubin discussed and explained the potential revisions and updates to the Village Charter. Discussion ensued between Mr. Rubin and Councilmembers regarding the proposed Village Charter Amendments and the creation, composition and timeline of a Charter Review Committee. Discussion ensued between Mr. Rubin and Councilmembers on what election to place the referendum questions for the proposed Village Charter amendments and what the composition of the Charter Review Committee should be. Minutes of the Village Council Regular Session held March 26, 2026 Page 4 of 5 Charter Review continued Mr. Rubin stated that he would bring a resolution back to the next meeting that would propose the composition of the Charter Review Committee. VILLAGE MANAGER MATTERS/REPORTS Planning the FY 2027 Budget Process Deputy Village Manager Samia Janjua began a presentation titled "Budget Process Discussion". Mrs. Janjua reviewed and discussed the timeline of the budget process stating what would take place in the following months ahead: • April — Strategic Planning Council Workshops with the Village Council and the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council. • May -July — Departments prepare budget requests and management team reviews the budget. • July — Proposed Budget/Millage Rate is shared. Proposed Millage Rate is sent to the Property Appraiser. • August — Council Workshops are held. • September — Budget Millage Rate hearing take place and are approved. • October 1 — New Budget goes into effect. Mrs. Janjua asked Council what they would like to see and discuss during Budget Workshops. Mrs. Janjua explained and discussed next steps and what would take place at the second Strategic Session. Mrs. Janjua concluded by discussing the prioritization of transparency, what staff was currently doing and what other outreach would be beneficial. Discussion ensued between Council members regarding the upcoming budget process and next steps. MAYOR AND COUNCIL MATTERS/REPORTS Councilmember Searcy thanked the Village Clerk's office for their work on the March 24th Special Election. Councilmember Searcy gave an update on the Special Election's Recount and the upcoming Special Runoff Election taking place on April 7th. Councilmember Searcy asked the Communications Department to give an update on what they were doing to get the word out about the Special Runoff Election and encouraging residents to vote. Communications Specialists Olivia Suarez and Kate Pokorny stated that election information was posted in the newsletter, website and social media. A blast will go out with the information for the finalists from the Special Runoff Election and a flyer will be made for posting throughout the Village. Councilmember Searcy suggested that a banner asking residents to vote on April 7th be placed on the side of the fire truck when the Easter Bunny does its drive through the Village. Councilmember Searcy asked Director of Parks and Recreation Ashley Shipman to give an update on Recreational events. Ms. Shipman gave an update on upcoming Easter events and all other recreational events taking place over the next few weekends including the activities taking place over the Heritage Day Festival. Minutes of the Village Council Regular Session held March 26, 2026 Page 5 of 5 MAYOR AND COUNCIL MATTERS/REPORTS continued Councilmember Searcy asked Fire Chief Scott Freseman to give an update on upcoming events. Chief Freseman stated that a Pushback Ceremony for the Village's new Fire Engine would be taking place on March 28th at 9 a.m. at the Village's Fire Department. Chief Freseman gave a brief explanation of the history behind pushback ceremonies. Councilmember Searcy asked for an update on eliminating property taxes. Mr. Rubin gave the latest update on the Florida Legislature's recent actions and non -actions. Vice Mayor Puyol asked Mary Phillips to give a report on the latest Bingo Night at the Library. Ms. Phillips gave an update on Bingo Night at the Library stating that the event was sold out and the food was fabulous. Vice Mayor Puyol announced that the Village received an Honorable Mention for the Read for the Record event. VILLAGE MANAGER MATTERS/REPORTS Mr. Huff stated that he received a lot of compliments on the live streaming of the "Meet the Candidates" event. Mr. Huff stated that the Communications Team had recently sent out a sponsor package. Mr. Huff introduced Dodi Glass who was hired as the new Director of Planning and Economic Development. Ms. Glas introduced herself and thanked Council for the opportunity to work for the Village. Mr. Huff discussed information that was recently sent out from his office and gave an update on Fairhaven Place, Lorraine Court and other various projects throughout the Village. Mr. Huff thanked Village staff and all Village Departments for their hard work. Vice Mayor Puyol encouraged residents to maintain their swales to address flooding and drainage issues. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 7:37 p.m. Jess c'a Green, MMC, Village Clerk