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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-23-2026 VC REG-MMINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION VILLAGE COUNCIL OF NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA July 23, 2026 Present: Lisa Interlandi, Mayor Orlando Puyol, Vice Mayor Susan Bickel, President Pro Tern Deborah Searcy, Councilmember Kendra Zellner, Councilmember Chuck Huff, Village Manager Len Rubin, Village Attorney Marquetta Fells, Deputy Village Clerk ROLL CALL 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. AWARDS AND RECOGNITION Mayor Interlandi read a proclamation for Florida Water Professionals Month. Jonathan Torres, FWPCOA Publicity Chair, accepted the proclamation and thanked Council. APPORVAL OF MINUTES The Minutes of Regular Session held July 9, 2026, were approved as written. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Jason Walsh, 409 Southwind Dr. expressed his concern with the flock cameras, Police Body - Cameras, and residents being surveilled around the Village. Mr. Walsh also discussed previously reaching out to Council regarding his disappointment and concern regarding the Flock cameras. Mr. Walsh asked for the status of the sinkhole at the end of Southwind Drive. Marcel Melo, 721 Lighthouse Dr., expressed his concern regarding the Village's Wet and Dry Storage waitlist and lack of policy and rules. Mr. Melo stated that his research on the matter was completed and provided his findings to staff and Council for review. Draft Minutes of the Village Council Regular Session held July 23, 2026 Page 2 of 7 STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC continued Discussion ensued between Mr. Huff and Councilmembers regarding Mr. Melo's concerns about the Wet and Dry Storage waitlist, rules and policies and how it could be addressed. Council addressed Mr. Walsh's concern regarding the sinkhole on Southwind Drive. Public Works Director Chad Girard stated that the sinkhole was being addressed. Discussion ensued between Mr. Huff, Police Chief Robert Coliskey and Councilmembers regarding Mr. Walsh's concerns regarding flock cameras and body cams. CONSENT AGENDA APPROVED President Pro Tern Bickel moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Councilmember Searcy seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. The following items were approved: Resolution approving a Utility Easement in favor of Seacoast Utility Authority over Village Property East of Old Dixie Highway and West of the FEC Railroad Tracks for the installation of Ground Monitoring Wells; and authorizing execution of the Easement. Receive for file Minutes of the Environmental Committee meeting held 5/4/26. Receive for file Minutes of the Country Club Advisory Board meeting held 5/11/26. Receive for file Minutes of the Recreation Advisory Board meeting held 5/12/26. Receive for file Minutes of the Environmental Committee meeting held 6/1/26. Receive for file Minutes of the Planning, Zoning, and Adjustment Board meeting held 6/2/26. Receive for file Minutes of the Recreation Advisory Board meeting held 6/9/26. OTHER VILLAGE BUSINESS MATTERS RESOLUTION 2026-34 ESTABLISHING A TENTATIVE MILLAGE RATE FOR FY 2026- 2027 AND SETTING THE 1ST PUBLIC HEARING A motion was made by President Pro Tern Bickel and seconded by Councilmember Searcy to adopt Resolution 2026-34 entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA, ADOPTING A TENTATIVE MILLAGE RATE OF 7.4000 MILS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2027; ESTABLISHING A DATE, TIME, AND PLACE FOR THE FIRST HEARING ON THE TENTATIVE BUDGET AND PROPOSED MILLAGE RATE; AUTHORIZING THE VILLAGE MANAGER TO SUBMIT THE REQUIRED FORMS TO THE PALM BEACH COUNTY PROPERTY APPRAISER; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Village Manager Huff began an overview of the presentation for the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 Budget. Mr. Huff informed Council there will be items that will require Council action for staff to proceed. Draft Minutes of the Village Council Regular Session held July 23, 2026 Page 3 of 7 RESOLUTION 2026-34 ESTABLISHING A TENTATIVE MILLAGE RATE FOR FY 2026- 2027 AND SETTING THE 1ST PUBLIC HEARING continued Mr. Huff asked Council if they would prefer to ask questions during the presentation or after, Mayor Interlandi suggested for Council to ask questions during the presentation all explanations would be held until the end of the presentation. Mr. Huff continued the presentation with an overview and outline of each funding source. Mr. Huff explained the development process of the budget, identifying the principles of the budget process. Mr. Huff provided an overview of staff and Council's role in the budget process. Mr. Huff discussed the considerations that were focused on during the FY 2027 Budget process. Vice Mayor Puyol and Mr. Huff ensued in discussion regarding the elimination of the General Fund's support for pool and tennis operations. Discussion ensued with Mayor Interlandi and Mr. Huff regarding the components of the General Fund. Mr. Huff continued the presentation and discussed the budget priorities for Fiscal Year 2027, with an explanation on the General Fund and Country Club Enterprise Fund. Council discussion ensued with Mr. Huff explaining Capital Improvements for the next five (5) years. Vice Mayor Puyol ensued in discussion with Mr. Huff discussing the subsidies of golf, pool, and tennis. Mr. Huff informed Vice Mayor Puyol that the increase was beneficial for the General Fund, which helps with the operational costs of the pool. Council discussion ensued with Mr. Huff providing a clarification on the revenues in the General Fund, clarifying that the golf operations will pay for pool and tennis operations from revenues received from the General Fund. Mr. Huff discussed and explained the Budget Priorities, emphasizing the elimination of subsidies for the Country Club Operations. Mr. Huff discussed Personnel Assumptions explaining the current staff levels, compensation and employee benefits. Mr. Huff proceeded to discuss merit increase and COLA increases for union and non-union employees. Councilmember Searcy questioned the COLA percentage that was presented by Mr. Huff. Mr. Huff and Councilmember Searcy ensued in discussion regarding the COLA increase for non-union employees, FPE, Police and Fire. Council discussion ensued. Mr. Huff briefly discussed FY 2027 Personnel Cost and the Organizational Chart. Draft Minutes of the Village Council Regular Session held July 23, 2026 Page 4 of 7 RESOLUTION 2026-34 ESTABLISHING A TENTATIVE MILLAGE RATE FOR FY 2026- 2027 AND SETTING THE 1ST PUBLIC HEARING continued Mr. Huff continued with the Proposed Budget Overview and discussed the increases and changes in the General Fund, Country Club, and the Stormwater Fund. President Pro Tern Bickel proposed an increase in Stormwater fees. Mr. Huff and President Pro- Tern Bickel ensued in discussion with Mr. Huff providing an explanation on the fee increase. Attorney Rubin joined the discussion stating that he will clarify the legislative process regarding Stormwater Fee increases. Mr. Huff discussed the General Fund and provided an overview of the topics to be discussed. Mr. Huff explained and detailed the Revenue Sources and Expenses. President Pro-Tem Bickel and Deputy Village Manager Janjua ensued in discussion regarding the debt service, the discussion continued with Mrs. Januja providing clarity on the debt service. Mr. Huff provided an explanation on Vehicle Purchases versus Leasing. Vice Mayor Puyol requested to discuss the decrease in Operating Expenses, and Mr. Huff provided an explanation for the decrease, thanking staff for the decrease. Mr. Huff began discussing the Revenue Summary, providing an explanation to residents on how Ad -Valorem .Taxes are compiled also providing a summary of the revenues received by the Village. Mr. Huff reiterated the changes in the revenue source. Vie Mayor Puyol and Mr. Huff began discussing the possible elimination of Property Taxes and the effects they may have. Mr. Huff provided a clarification and explanation on the process of elimination of Property Taxes. Council discussion ensued. Mr. Huff provided an explanation to residents regarding the General Fund and the benefits stating that the General Fund is used for services offered to residents. President Pro-Tem Bickel ensued in discussion. Mr. Huff provided an overview and explanation of how the Budget changed. Identifying the primary revenue sources, explaining where the Village compares to neighboring cities. Vice Mayor Puyol ensued in discussion regarding the increase in new houses being built around the Village. Mr. Huff provided further clarification detailing how new homes are being built however there has been no redevelopment. Mr. Huff identified potential new redevelopments. Councilmember Searcy ensued in discussion. Mr. Huff discussed a breakdown of the Budget and Property Tax. Draft Minutes of the Village Council Regular Session held July 23, 2026 Page 5 of 7 RESOLUTION 2026-34 ESTABLISHING A TENTATIVE MILLAGE RATE FOR FY 2026- 2027 AND SETTING THE 1ST PUBLIC HEARING continued Mr. Huff informed Council of the Community Development Department fee schedule, proposing a fee increase in Commercial Solid Waste as well as fee adjustments in the Recreation Department. President Pro Tem Bickel ensued in discussion asking if the Solid Waste increase will cover all fee increases and suggesting if the increase should be higher. Public Works Director Chad Girard ensued in discussion providing clarity on the increase. Council and Mr. Girard ensued in discussion. Mr. Huff led the presentation into discussing the fee schedule for the Recreation Department and Marina Division. Informing Council that the implementation of the increase was previously approved. Mr. Huff further discussed the Dry Storage and Wet Slip fees. Mayor Interlandi ensued in discussion stating that residents should be required to pay a fee to get on the wait list. Councilmember Searcy ensued in discussion. Discussion ensued with President Pro-Tem Bickel expressing her concerns with charging residents to be on the wait list for multiple years and providing different alternatives to streamline the waitlist. Council discussion ensued. Mr. Huff continued the presentation into a discussion explaining the General Fund Expenditure detailing departments and functions. Mr. Huff explained the Country Club's operations and budget functions. President Pro-Tem Bickel and Mr. Huff ensued in discussion. Mayor Interlandi and Attorney Rubin ensued in discussion regarding the vendor change at the Country Club. Council discussion ensued Mr. Huff continued explaining the revenues anticipated gain at the Country Club. Vice Mayor Puyol and Mr. Huff ensued in discussion regarding an increase in driving -ranges at the Country Club. Mr. Huff provided an explanation detailing infrastructure would need to be in place to avoid damages. Golf Manager Allan Bowan ensued in discussion with Council providing an explanation on expansion and increases in revenue, reiterating Mr. Huff s comments in terms of new infrastructure being in place. Draft Minutes of the Village Council Regular Session held July 23, 2026 Page 6 of 7 RESOLUTION 2026-34 ESTABLISHING A TENTATIVE MILLAGE RATE FOR FY 2026- 2027 AND SETTING THE 1ST PUBLIC HEARING continued Mr. Huff continued the presentation discussing changes in fees at the Country Club. Council discussion ensued regarding increases in fees for residents and non-residents. Mr. Bowman ensued in discussion with Council. Vice Mayor proposed discussing possible resident memberships at the Country Club. Mr. Huff ensued in discussion stating the plan is upcoming in the future Master Plan. Mr. Huff led the presentation into discussing the Pool and Tennis Fees, discussing the changes that have occurred. Vice Mayor Puyol ensued in discussion with Mr. Huff. Mayor Interlandi ensued in discussion clarifying resident and non-resident participation playing tennis. Council discussion ensued regarding rates for residents and non-residents. Mr. Huff and Mr. Bowman ensued in discussion with Council providing an explanation on rates for tennis and golf. Vice Mayor Puyol proposed to have Pickel Ball Memberships held at the Community Center. Mayor Interlandi ensued in discussion regarding Capital Projects and increasing fees to make the projects possible. Mr. Huff ensued in discussion providing an explanation stating the increases in fees would take place in FY 2028. Vice Mayor and Mr. Bowman ensued in discussion regarding rates at different facilities. Mr. Huff led the presentation to discuss the Stormwater Fund. Council discussion ensued. Mr. Huff discussed future projects for Fiscal Year 2028. Mr. Huff discussed the calendar for upcoming meetings that will require Council action. Mr. Huff requested for Council to pass the Proposed Budget for FY 2027, setting a tentative mileage rate for adoption at the September 10th public hearing, and approving the Employee Compensation and Benefits, and the Master Fee Schedule. Mr. Huff and Mayor Interlandi thanked staff and Council for the presentation. Draft Minutes of the Village Council Regular Session held July 23, 2026 Page 7 of 7 RESOLUTION 2026-34 ESTABLISHING A TENTATIVE MILLAGE RATE FOR FY 2026- 2027 AND SETTING THE 1 ST PUBLIC HEARING continued Mr. Rubin provided an explanation on passing the motion. Mayor Interlandi and Council ensued in discussion. Thereafter, the motion to adopt Resolution 2026-34 passed unanimously. A motion was made by Councilmember Searcy and seconded by President Pro Tern Bickel to approve employee compensation and benefits as proposed by staff and to approve the Fiscal Year 2027 fee schedule as discussed Thereafter, the motion passed unanimously. VILLAGE MANAGER MATTERS/REPORTS Mr. Huff thanked Council and staff for a smooth budget process. Councilmember Searcy thanked residents for attending and watching the meeting, to understand how their tax dollars were not being wasted. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 8:14 p.m. Mar nett Fells, Deputy Vi ge Clerk