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07-28-2022 VC REG-MMINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION VILLAGE COUNCIL OF NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA JULY 28, 2022 Present: Deborah Searcy, Mayor David B. Norris, Vice Mayor Susan Bickel, President Pro Tem Darryl C. Aubrey, Sc.D., Councilmember Mark Mullinix, Councilmember Chuck Huff, Interim Village Manager Len Rubin, Village Attorney Jessica Green, Village Clerk ROLL CALL Mayor Searcy called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. All members of Council were present. All members of staff were present. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Searcy gave the invocation and Vice Mayor Norris led the public in the Pledge. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The Minutes of the Special Session held June 30, 2022 and the Regular Session held July 14, 2022 were approved as written. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Presentation — Palm Beach North Resiliency Action Plan Mr. Noel Martinez, President & CEO of Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce introduced himself and introduced Kathleen Joy, Director of Community Engagement, Chip Armstrong, Chair of the Economic Development and Rick Morale, former CEO of Tropical Shipping. Mr. Martinez thanked the Village for their support. Mr. Martinez began the presentation and explained and discussed the importance of disaster resiliency in the event of a natural disaster. Mr. Martinez gave a history and explained how the Chamber came up with a Palm Beach North Resilience Action Plan. Ms. Joy, Mr. Martinez, Mr. Armstrong and Mr. Morale discussed and explained key points of the presentation. The outreach conducted, local government and local business ranked �- vulnerability risks, action plan, and next steps were also discussed. Council thanked Mr. Martinez and the representatives of the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce for their efforts and hard work. Minutes of the Village Council Regular Session held July 28, 2022 Page 2 of 5 STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC continued John Samadi, 512 Marlin Road, expressed his concerns regarding Council's choice for Interim Village Manager and various projects that have been approved by Council. Tim Hullihan, 840 Country Club Drive, expressed his concerns with the proposed design for the Twin Cities Mall site and explained and discussed placemaking. CONSENT AGENDA APPROVED Vice Mayor Norris moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Councilmember Aubrey seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. The following items were approved: Resolution approving a Blanket Purchase Order for the Public Works Department with GT Supplies, Inc. in the total amount of $60,000 for dumpster repairs. Receive for file Minutes of the Recreation Advisory Board Meeting held 6/14/22. Receive for file Minutes of the Library Advisory Board Meeting held 6/28/22. RESOLUTION 2022-56 — ESTABLISHING A TENTATIVE MILLAGE RATE FOR FY 2022- 2023 & SETTING THE IST PUBLIC HEARING A motion was made by President Pro Tem Bickel and seconded by Vice Mayor Norris to adopt Resolution 2022-56 entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA, ADOPTING A TENTATIVE MILLAGE RATE OF 7.0500 MILS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023; ESTABLISHING A DATE, TIME AND PLACE FOR THE FIRST HEARING ON THE TENTATIVE BUDGET AND PROPOSED MILLAGE RATE; AUTHORIZING THE INTERIM VILLAGE MANAGER TO SUBMIT THE REQUIRED FORMS TO THE PALM BEACH COUNTY PROPERTY APPRAISER; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Mr. Huff stated that former Village Manager Andy Lukasik had given a presentation on the FY 2023 Preliminary Budget on July 21, 2022. Mr. Huff stated that he would review the highlights from that budget presentation. Mr. Huff explained that staff was recommending setting the millage rate at 7.0500 mills. At that rate, the total proposed budget would be $37,050,790 which represents an increase of $3.8 million dollars or 11.5% and an increase in the Country Club budget of $1.2 million dollars or 20%. Mr. Huff gave a brief overview of the Country Club budget and revenues. Total Country Club revenues were $7,314,880. Mr. Huff reviewed the General Fund Preliminary Budget Summary stating that there was an overall increase of $2.6 million dollars or a 9.8% increase. Last year's increase was just under 1 million dollars. There was nearly $2.2 million dollars in ad valorem revenue. Building permits and plan review made up licenses and permits revenue and the increase in Intergovernmental Revenue was the half cent sales tax estimate from the Florida Department of Revenue. The Public Safety budget was increasing by $1.4 million dollars which was mostly personnel expense. The other expenditures for Public Safety was $240,000 for Police Department operating, $50,000 in contractual services related to radios, $50,000 for safety equipment and fuel. The Parks and Recreation budget was increasing by $540,000 with Buildings and Ground Maintenance increasing from $60,000 to $220,000, salaries and wages increased by $80,000 and Professional Services increased by $25,000. The Transfers Out line item of $1,162,350 was related to the transfers out to the Country Club. Minutes of the Village Council Regular Session held July 28, 2022 Page 3 of 5 RESOLUTION 2022-56 — ESTABLISHING A TENTATIVE MILLAGE RATE FOR FY 2022- 2023 & SETTING THE IST PUBLIC HEARING continued Mr. Huff gave an overview of the breakdown of the General Fund Revenues which totaled $29,235,910 and the breakdown of General Fund Expenses by function and by department. Total expenses were $29,235,910. Mr. Huff discussed and explained the Capital Outlay stating that the Anchorage Park Dry Storage Project would not remain in the FY 2023 due to the current cost of goods and contractual services. Mr. Huff explained and discussed the different projects that were listed as Capital Outlay. Mr. Huff stated that the $3.1 million dollars that was listed under Grant Funding was money from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Mr. Huff explained that the Anchorage Dry Storage project, Lighthouse Bridge project, Lakeside seawall replacement and an emergency generator at the Country Club would be funded in 2024 with the ARPA funds. Mr. Huff reviewed the FY 2023 Taxable Value and Millage stating that the millage would be retained at $7.05 mils. Councilmember Mullinix expressed concern that the hiring of an additional police officer was not included in the budget and recommended that the hiring of an additional police officer be added into the budget. Mayor Searcy, President Pro Tem Bickel and Councilmember Aubrey expressed the same concern. Police Chief Richard Jenkins expressed his appreciation for Council's concern. Mr. Huff stated that he and Finance Director Samia Janjua would work diligently on finding a way to add the hiring of an additional police officer into the budget. Councilmember Aubrey stated that the passing of the resolution was to set a tentative millage rate and there was still the possibility of adjusting the rate before the budget was passed and that it if it was adjusted it would be a downward adjustment or adjustment to a lower millage rate. Mr. Huff stated that the next budget workshop was scheduled for August l Otn Thereafter, the motion to adopt Resolution 2022-56 passed unanimously. RESOLUTION 2022-57 — REVISED AND UPDATED PERSONNEL RULES AND REGULATIONS MANUAL A motion was made by President Pro Tem Bickel and seconded by Councilmember Aubrey to adopt Resolution 2022-57 entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA, ADOPTING A REVISED AND UPDATED PERSONNEL RULES AND REGULATIONS MANUAL; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Mr. Huff explained that Human Resources Director Renee Govig and the Village's Employment Attorney Laura Donlon had been working together over the past year to update the Village's Personnel Rules and Regulations Manual. Mr. Huff stated that the manual had not been updated since 2013 or 2014. John Samadi, 512 Marlin Road, expressed his concerns regarding overtime compensation and bereavement leave in the Personnel Manual. Minutes of the Village Council Regular Session held July 28, 2022 Page 4 of 5 RESOLUTION 2022-57 — REVISED AND UPDATED PERSONNEL RULES AND REGULATIONS MANUAL continued Mayor Searcy asked for clarification on portions of the manual and asked if clauses should be added for police officers and firefighters. Chief Jenkins stated that the Collective Bargaining Agreement addressed certain clauses or certain scenarios that would only pertain to police officers and firefighters. Mayor Searcy asked if references to Sunshine Law should be added to the manual. Mr. Rubin explained that the Sunshine Law was usually not referenced in personnel manuals and that it was addressed through separate training. President Pro Tem Bickel asked if the three (3) day bereavement leave policy could be extended for extenuating circumstances such as a family member passing away in another country whereby there would be extended travel times. Ms. Govig explained that paid bereavement leave was for up to three (3) days with the option of taking paid time off if more than three days was necessary. Thereafter, the motion to adopt Resolution 2022-57 passed unanimously. RESOLUTION 2022-58 — CONSERVATION EASEMENT FOR MCARTHUR STATE PARK A motion was made by Vice Mayor Norris and seconded by Councilmember Mullinix to adopt Resolution 2022-58 entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA, APPROVING THE ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF A CONSERVATION EASEMENT FOR MACARTHUR STATE PARK AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE THE ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION ON BEHALF OF THE VILLAGE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Mr. Rubin gave a history and explanation of the Conservation Easement at McArthur State Park. The Conservation Corporation was being dissolved and was seeking to assign the Conservation Easement to the Village since it was in the best position to be the guardian of the easement. Karen Marcus stated that if the State of Florida wanted to make any changes to the plans for McArthur State Park, they would have to get approval from the Village first. Mayor Searcy stated that the Village was the only municipality that had a state park within its borders. Thereafter, the motion to adopt Resolution 2022-58 passed unanimously. MAYOR AND COUNCIL MATTERS/REPORTS Mayor Searcy stated that nationally less than twelve percent (12%) of police officers were female and only three percent (3%) of female officers were in leadership roles. Mayor Searcy stated that the Villages Police Department has one (1) female Captain and approximately eighteen percent (18%) of the force is female. Minutes of the Village Council Regular Session held July 28, 2022 Page 5 of 5 MAYOR AND COUNCIL MATTERS/REPORTS continued Mayor Searcy stated that there was a push to increase the number of female officers in police departments and Chief Jenkins had agreed to sign the pledge for the 3000 initiative which is a national initiative to advance women in policing. Councilmember Mullinix commended Mr. Huff for quickly responding to and taking care of a seawall whose concrete pour was going to be canceled resulting in the residents losing their seawall if the concrete had not been poured. Mr. Huff also promptly had a fallen palm tree removed from Northlake Boulevard. Councilmember Mullinix stated that Mr. Huff did a good job in taking care of the two (2) issues he mentioned. Mr. Huff stated that commendation should be given to his staff for their promptness and hard work. Mr. Huff stated that one of the things he really enjoyed when he first moved to North Palm Beach was the Anchorage Aweigh Fishing Tournament. The 2022 Anchorage Aweigh Fishing Tournament would be taking place on Saturday, August 6th beginning at 6 a.m. Mr. Huff gave details and times of the different activities that would be taking place during the event and encouraged everyone to attend. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 7:58 p.m. Je is Green, MMC, Village Clerk