08-09-2018 VC WS-MMINUTES OF THE WORKSHOP SESSION
VILLAGE COUNCIL OF NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA
AUGUST 9, 2018
Present: David B. Norris, Mayor
Mark Mullinix, Vice Mayor
Susan Bickel, President Pro Tem
Darryl C. Aubrey, Sc.D., Councilmember
Deborah Searcy, Councilmember
Andrew D. Lukasik, Village Manager
Len Rubin, Village Attorney
Melissa Teal, Village Clerk
ROLL CALL
Mayor Norris called the meeting to order at 8:42 p.m. All members of Council were present.
All members of staff were present.
LAKESIDE PARK
Mr. Lukasik related the concerns expressed by residents at the July 26, 2018 Regular Session,
which included parking management, alcohol use, illegal activities, smoking, large parties on the
holidays, and deterioration of the park.
Mr. Lukasik briefly reviewed portions of the 1962 Lakeside Park Deed, 2006 Florida Inland
Navigation District (FIND) Waterways Assistance Grant Agreement for Lakeside Park, and
Florida Administrative Code, Rule 6613-2.
Mr. Lukasik reported the Police Department conducts directed patrols at the Park on weekends
and intermittently on weekdays, when not on calls. Mr. Lukasik noted how few calls for police
service at Lakeside Park have been received via dispatch. Mr. Lukasik related an increased
emphasis on opening and closing the access gate promptly at dawn and dusk.
Mr. Lukasik presented options recommended by staff, including short-term continuation of
directed patrols; greater public outreach to encourage incident reports; and limited on -street
parking restrictions. Mr. Lukasik discussed challenges and drawbacks associated with other
options, such as returning grant funds and maintaining the park for Village residents only, and/or
implementing a parking pass system. Mr. Lukasik stated the Village is preempted by State Statute
from regulating smoking in parks.
Members of the public addressed the Council to express their concerns and recommend actions
to address park issues.
Parks and Recreation Director Mark Hodgkins clarified that Lakeside Park was not restricted to
Village residents prior to the 2006 FIND grant. Mr. Rubin advised that every grant received by
the Village from the state has the same public access requirement. Mr. Lukasik expressed that
limiting parking at Lakeside Park and restricting parking on side streets adjacent to the park
would help to manage capacity in the park.
Minutes of Village Council Workshop Session held August 9, 2018 Page 2 of 2
Council discussion ensued concerning returning grants funds; instituting paid parking in the lot;
increasing the fine for littering, erecting larger signs detailing park rules; and establishing a
neighborhood watch. A suggestion was made to increase the visibility of residents in the park by
encouraging a twice -monthly park cleanup. Council consensus was in favor of implementing
parking restrictions, increasing the fine for littering, and erecting larger signs. An ordinance to
amend the parking regulations will be placed on an upcoming agenda.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to come before the Council, the meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.
Melissa Teal, MMC, Village Cleric