07-20-2017 VC SP-MPresent:
ROLL CALL
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL SESSION
VILLAGE COUNCIL OF NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA
JULY 20, 2017
Darryl C. Aubrey, Sc.D., Mayor
Robert A. Gebbia, Vice Mayor
Mark Mullinix, President Pro Tem
David B. Norris, Councilmember
Susan Bickel, Councilmember
Andrew D. Lukasik, Village Manager
Len Rubin, Village Attorney
Melissa Teal, Village Clerk
Mayor Aubrey called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. All members of Council and staff were present.
OPERATOR AGREEMENT TO CONDUCT RESTAURANT AND BANQUET OPERATIONS
AT THE NORTH PALM BEACH COUNTRY CLUB
The purpose of the meeting was to consider the existing Operator Agreement to Conduct
Restaurant and Banquet Operations at the North Palm Beach Country Club with Carl Von Luger LLC
d/b/a Carl Von Luger Steak & Seafood.
Hank Gonzalez, Project Manager for facility design, was present on behalf of Robert Dickert,
Owner and Proposer, Carl Von Luger LLC. Mr. Gonzalez addressed the Council regarding the
concept and menu for the restaurant venue. Mr. Gonzalez commented on the veteran restaurant
professionals who would be participating in the project with Mr. Dickert. Mr. Gonzalez discussed
the gross sales projections for the restaurant and banquet operations. Mr. Gonzalez reviewed the
status of the lawsuit. In response to questions from the Council, Mr. Gonzalez reported that
Mr. Dickert would not use the name Carl Von Luger in conjunction with the Country Club restaurant.
Brief discussion ensued regarding local partners and guarantors for the project, although the
specific individuals were not named.
Discussion took place concerning the timeline for issuing a new Request for Proposals (RFP).
Mr. Lukasik estimated three to four months for the total process to publish the RFP, receive and
evaluate responses, and obtain Council approval.
Members of the public addressed the Council concerning the Operator Agreement.
Council discussion ensued. Concerns were expressed regarding the name change; the restaurateur's
capital investment in the project, ability to execute, and lack of written confirmation from the
local partner; the Audit Committee's recommendation to terminate the contract; and the size of
the restaurant component (44% of the total project cost being tied up in food and beverage).
Vice Mayor Gebbia moved to cancel the contract and go back out to bid. President Pro Tem
Mullinix seconded the motion, which passed 4 — 1, with Councilmember Bickel, Mayor Aubrey,
President Pro Tem Mullinix, and Vice Mayor Gebbia in favor, and Councilmember Norris opposed.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
/V we
Melissa Teal, MMC, Village Clerk