You know, sorry if I check >> it always cause controversy that >> big chug of it all blown up tonight.
>> He is tall, isn't he? My goodness. >> Oh, just full disclosure. I had one call. Thank you. Took him out of forestry. >> He's village. >> Yeah. >> Usually big guys don't stand right.
>> Okay. We ready now? >> Yes. Okay. and how to do it. Thank you. >> Good evening everyone. The April 7th, 2026 Town of Laha Groves town council meeting will now come to order. If we could all please stand for the pledge of allegiance
to the flag of the United States of America, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. We could just have a moment of silence. All righty. Can I have a roll call back? >> Council member Coleman
>> present. >> Council member El Rey >> here. >> Council member McClendon >> here. >> Vice Mayor Herszog >> here. >> Mayor Kaine present. >> Town manager Ramaya >> here. Town Attorney Curts >> here. >> Community standards director Garner Young
>> here. >> Public works director Craig Lowour >> here. >> Okay. Can I have a motion to approve the agenda, please? >> Mayor, we do have some modifications. >> Okay. And they are >> staff would like to add a presentation
by the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council after the legislative update, which is item number eight. >> So 8A is Treasure Coast. Yes. Okay. Item number 12, remove it from consent and
move it to the regular agenda and pull items 16 and 19. Okay. Can I have a motion to approve the agenda as modified? >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> All in favor?
>> I opposed. Passes 5 to zero. Okay. Uh item number one, Valerie, is acceptance and certification of the March 10th, 2026 election results. >> Acceptance and certification of the March 10th, 2026 election results.
The election was conducted in coordination with the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections, ensuring compliance with all applicable state statutes and established procedures. The election included the following seats on the ballot. Seat one for a one-year expired term and a seat five for a
three-year term. Voter participation, election operations proceeded efficiently with all voting equipment, p polling procedures, and tabulation processes administered by the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections. The official results for the March 10th, 2026 election are as follows. Seat one,
Steve Hoffman, 64 votes. William Joe Stevens, 212 votes. Robert Sullivan, 191 votes. Results, the winner was Joe Stevens. >> Seat number five, Tom McClendon,
151 votes. Manish Sud 322 votes result winner is Manish Sud. >> With regards to the referendum questions, question number one, 282 people voted yes, 1884 people voted no. With regards to
Lockahhatchi girls question number two, 199 voted yes and 263 voted no. Is there a motion to accept the results? Need a motion. Accept. >> Lisa makes a motion. Paul seconds. All
in favor? I oppose. Passes five to zero. >> Okay. Item number two is acknowledgement of service and recognition of our two outgoing council members. So, first uh marchers, I'll you want to go down there for a photo
op? You want to stay up here? >> We're not going to make you go down and up. if you want to go down and that way we can stop and take a picture and you know wave you on your merry way and all of the same bells. So I bet time your bag down or somebody else would
do that. Yeah. Wait. >> Oh, I'm back. >> No, ma'am. >> Hazard the thought.
>> It's a crippled council members. I wonder if this we're giving this back in recognition of following service to town from the very beginning. You were here. starting you're the reason that we are one of the
reasons we are grow and I will always be so I'm grateful to everything you did there's horses on the trail I won't I won't be able to do that. >> Just get the microphone. Go.
>> It's been a pleasure serving uh the uh town for all of these years. I um I uh uh enjoyed working with the various people that stepped forward and uh and
helped to make this town what it is today. And I hope that uh everyone here continues to turn out real strong like you are tonight. All right. Thank you.
Todd, in recognition of you always being willing to step up and do what it takes. We seriously appreciate your efforts on behalf of the town and I know that you'll continue to work hard for the town of Lockachi Groves. Thank you for your service. I appreciate the opportunity that the
council um when they appointed me several months ago. Um it's a tough job being up here. Uh congratulate Manish for putting together a great team and getting a successful campaign together. Um it's a tough job. It's a lot tougher than you might think it is sitting in out there in the audience. Um, but I'm
here if you ever need any any support to try to move this for this town forward. I'm here. I'm not going anywhere. Thank you. >> Your bag has your little hook. >> I was informed I couldn't lose the hose. So,
>> hang that on your wall of fame. Okay, we're on to item number three. the administration of the oath of office for seat number one. >> Oh, council member elect Joe Stevens. I, William Joe Stevens, >> uh, William Joe Stevens,
>> do solemnly swear or affirm >> that I will support, protect, and defend >> the Constitution and government of the United States and the state of Florida and the charter, the town of Bloxy
Gross, that I am duly qualified to hold office. under the constitution of the state of Florida and the charter of the Lockxa Hatchee Gross and that I will well and faithfully
perform my duties, council member upon which I am about to enter. That one gets Yeah, just take a seat. Either one for moment.
Okay. >> I s I sud do strongly a severe or affirm. that I will support, protect and defend the Constitution and the government of
the United States and the states of Florida >> and >> and the charter and the of the town of Loxai Groves that I'm duly qualified to hold office
under the constitution of the state of Florida and the charter of the town of Loxachi Groves and that and that I will well and faithfully perform
the duties of council member upon which upon which I'm now about to enter. Thank you. China election election of the mayor
at the appointment of the mayor pick. >> Yeah, just pick any seat. Can you take part just talking too? But thank you. >> Yeah. Okay. >> If they want to have a couple minutes to
say a few words, now is the appropriate time. >> Say a few words. >> Yes. >> Would you like to go first? >> Did you want to say a few words? >> Sure. >> Pull the mic. Make sure you pull the mic close to your face because these do not pair up very well.
>> Very well. Can everybody hear me? Okay. Well, a few short months ago, I was standing in my front yard. My wife was holding a cell phone camera up and taking a video of me. From there, I introduced myself to many of you for the
very first time. And you guys didn't know who I was from a hole in the wall. But I asked for something that day. I asked for your ideas and your concerns and your fears and your stresses and your worries. Most importantly, I asked for your stories. And man, oh man, did
you guys deliver. And speaking of my wife, I want to take this time to tell her thank you. As God gives me breath, she gives me the reason. I want to thank Valerie, Gabby, and the staff. Election season is never, never
easy, but you guys were class and professional through and through, and I just want to say well well done. Congratulations to my dear friend Minis Suit, Councilman Minis Suit.
You're going to do great things. To Cassie Sushi, Valerie Plant for hosting the meet and greets and the church and boonies for having us. To my closest supporters who were with me on day number one, you know who you are. Thank you. And this next one, this next one is
special to me. Robert Bob Sullivan, Steve Hoffman. Man, guys, we had some fun, didn't we? But it's your friendship that I appreciate the most. And it means more to me than you guys will ever know.
To the residents, those stories we were talking about, I got them right here and I'm ready to go to work. So, may God continue to bless our wonderful community. Thank you. Mr. S. >> Thank you.
Hello my fellow council members. Nice to see you again. And dear residents, can you hear me? Okay. Yes. Our residents, you make Lock Sahhatche Grove special. You know that, right?
this unique, blessed slice of Florida heaven that it is. Thank you for your support and your trust. I ran on the residents first platform which meant public safety,
physical responsibility, and protecting our rural town. And we had a historical win, didn't we? You won big. I intend to deliver on all your mandates
starting now. Starting today. With that mandate, here is my immediate road map. Number one, cut waste. I will treat the town budget like how we budget our own home. We are going to
make sure every dollar works as hard as you all work as a lockahhatche resident. No waste, no fluff. just results from day one right now, starting right now. Number two,
protecting our rural town. That was the second pillar of our campaign. Our comprehensive plan clearly defines where commercial activity belongs. It's our legal document. I will follow it
both in letter and in spirit. We love our rural town, our mother nature, beautiful trees, our trails, natural habitats, farm animals, horses, nurseries, religious organization, families and communities. I will work hard to make sure that you will fall in
love with Lock Sahhati local government, which is people sitting here, that's us. to the developers who are looking to work around our comprehensive plan and turn our open rural places into strip malls, highdensity housing or big box
stores. There is a lovely highway and a few nice town just a few miles away. Finally, and most importantly, we need to talk about the big green and white elephant in the room or perhaps the
green and white patrol car on the street. I ran on the platform to mend our relationships with Palm Beach County's sheriff office. Thank you. And I plan to make good on that
immediately. We are going to make sure our PBS relationship is stronger and better. We are going to make sure we shake hands with our law enforcement brothers and sisters. And we are going to make sure that when you and your families and loved ones tuck in at night, you know
that PBSO always has your back. Thank you, PBSO. I promise to listen and to work with my colleagues in this council to move us forward without leaving our rural roots without comprom compromising with our
lockahhatche groves the last frontier values instituted by its founding members and I promise to communicate more through our actions and results rather than through endless presentations and speeches. Thank you to everyone who
placed their trust in me. You know who you are. I'm not going to name names. And my friend Joseph just shared some of those names. We thank you to all including the ones who didn't vote for me. But we will earn your love and trust. And a special thank you to my
wife Sheetl who's here and to two my two boys and my parents and our parents who are standing by us and watching through this YouTube channel somewhere. I would also like to thank Todd Mlandon for serving the town, Steve Hoffman and
Robert Sulivan who ran their very hardworking campaigns and I also want to congratulate Joseph to win this campaign as well. Let's make Lock Sahhatche Groves the number one rural town in America. Thank you so much
and God bless. Okay. On to item number five, a resolution of the town council. Valerie, do you want to read it? Go ahead. Resolution number 202616, a resolution of the town council of the town of
Lockahuchi Groves, Palm Beach County, Florida, electing a mayor for the ensuing year 2026 2027 and providing for an effective date. I'd like to nominate Paul Coleman. I I had my light on. Oh. So, before we just shout out names like we've done in
the past, do we want to adopt a process of nominating having either a written ballot or a show of hands vote? Do we want to do anything like that? >> We've always followed the same process. You have a nomination, you have a second, and then you show a hand of
>> I think we should I think we should >> You would like to amend the process as it usually is. It >> is that process in writing? No, not the way it's always been done. So, I'm just asking you you'd like to >> I I think I'd like to see a Robert's
rule followed, which is nominating all names that want to be nominated >> and then either proposing a written ballot or a show of hands. Maybe Jeff can weigh in on on what is a a standard rule for Robert's rules.
>> The process is up to to you. Um, you can have folks nominated, you can have people self-nominate themselves. Um, and you can have a voice vote as we generally do. You can have um ballots
uh, you know, written if you want to. Um, if you do go with a written ballot, you must um, initial so that we can identify whose vote was was where. So the process is is open. I think typically in the past uh or in the
recent past there has been um a motion um and a nomination and there hasn't been opposition to that. So uh with anybody that is nominated um the first thing is to ask them are
they interested in the job. >> So do you want to do it by poker instead of by voice? Is that what you're suggesting? >> No, I think that um it we should open the floor to nominations. >> Okay. >> All right. What? I just made a nomination. >> And yes, I think that um those nominated
should accept obviously if they're going to to take that position. Um do we want or require a second for that? >> That depends on that depends on you. Um in the past what you're contemplating, I
think is an election. Um, and my suggestion would be if you're going to to do an election in which you would do a ballot process, um, that there doesn't need to be a uh, a second for any one of the the folks that are nominated because
typically if there's a nomination and they accept it, well, there's there's two folks right there. >> Sure. Sure. Uh, new folks, do you have a thought on this? I I would like to nominate council
member Lisa Ali for the mayor position. I think our town needs a change. Thank you. >> Do you have a thought on the process? >> I I would like to say that the names are in the bring the names forward and then
let's take a vote, show of hands, second and let's see, you know, who comes. >> Well, Paul, are you willing to serve as mayor? >> Well, yeah. Okay. Lisa, are you willing to serve as mayor? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Okay. So, now should we
>> I'm unable to serve as mayor. I've already served two terms. That's that's by the charter. >> I mean, the way it normally works is there's a vote, right? There's a there's a there's a motion and then an acceptance or a second. And then there's a vote. And if that doesn't work, then there's another motion. Right. So, I
don't I I just don't understand how this looks. >> Right. So you call my name and then we vote and then we call Lisa's name and we vote. Well, I mean that's kind of the same thing really. But >> so Paul, let's vote for you. >> Let's go.
>> Well, she >> that's not that's not how it works. She's still the mayor. She still runs the meeting. >> Sorry. >> And yeah, so it's >> it's not quite how >> Yeah. >> So is there a consensus to do either a ballot or a show of hands? I I don't care either way. I think this goes back
to when the vacancy was available and everyone wasn't considered because the process just ended when a certain number of votes that wasn't to say other people may have come along in that list that might have gotten a similar number of votes and then there would have been a a
runoff so to speak. So I think that that was really formalizing the process was really my intent. Mhm. >> So, >> okay. Shall we vote on these in the order of how they were nominated? Does that work for you? >> Sure. Okay.
>> Do we roll call or you just want to show hand? >> Uh, I guess we better do it by roll call and formalize it. Let's vote for um >> So, as I understand the there's a motion >> a motion for >> a motion on the floor. It's been essentially seconded by Paul's
acceptance of the um nomination >> that Paul Coleman is nominated to be the mayor. >> Correct. And now we're going to do a roll call a roll call vote. Oh, before we vote, we have a public comment. I'm sorry.
Is this a before we vote? Public comment. >> You do. It is up to to you whether or not you want to take public comment on that. >> Sure. We always take public comments before we vote. Mr. McClendon, >> Tom McClendon.
Um, for 20 years we've been incorporated. 20 years we've done the same process that was just started by Anita Kaine by nominating somebody. Typically the person that's nominated, if they're willing to take the position, we'll second that motion. Um, and then you vote on it. trying to try to come up
with a whole new plan on the spot like this is not the way to do things. I would continue the same thing tonight like the past. The next meeting or future meetings you guys can come up with a new process. I strongly support Paul for being the mayor. Um he's been
here forever. He knows the history. Lisa does a great job. She put puts in the homework. However, she's got personal differences with the town manager and that's not professional. That that I don't want to see. So, I strongly support Paul for being mayor. Thank you. >> Anybody else?
>> No, mayor. Okay, we have a motion on the table for Paul Coleman as mayor. Roll call vote. >> Council member Coleman, >> I. >> Council member El Rey, opposed. Council member Stevens,
>> opposed. >> Council member Sud opposed. Mayor Kaine I. >> Motion fails two to three. >> Okay, we have a motion on the table for Please don't do that. That's really not
okay. Okay, we have a motion on the table for Lisa El Remy as mayor. Accept. Thank you. Okay, roll call vote, please. V. Council >> member Coleman. I.
>> Council member Oy. I, >> Council Member Stevens. >> Hi, >> Council Member Sud. >> Yes, >> Mayor Kane. >> Nay. >> Passes four to one. >> Can I make a comment before we move on? >> Yes. >> It's not that Hold on. Hold on. It's not
that you're not allowed to cheer. It's not that you're not allowed I mean, yes, freedom of speech and all that. It's called the quorum, folks. It's all it is. It's called the quorum. All right. And let's show a little. Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. Okay. At this time, um, you will need to
switch seats. >> Uhhuh. >> I'm happy sitting here. >> No, that's okay. I'd like that seat. >> The mayor's in the center. You You're front and center. >> Well, >> I can stay here. That's fine. You can just pass it.
Stay home. Congratulations, Lisa. >> Thank you, Paul. >> Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for the vote of confidence up here and in the public. I think I need >> Oh, thank you.
>> So, moving on to agenda item six. Um, resolution 2026-17. Valerie, would you like to read the resolution? Resolution number 202617, a resolution of the town council of the town of Laha Hache Groves, Palm Beach County, Florida, electing a vice mayor for the
ensuing year 2026 2027 and providing for an effective date. >> All right, I open the floor to nominations for vice mayor. >> Nominate Councilman Mish Sud for vice mayor. All right, we have a nomination for Manish Sud uh by council member Joe
Stevens. Any others? >> Mr. Sue, accept the nomination. >> Absolutely. Yes. >> All right. No other uh nominations on the floor. >> All those in favor?
>> I guess I can nominate myself. >> Good. >> Yeah. Nominate myself. Okay. Just feel a little weird doing that. So, think about it for a second. I nominate myself. >> Okay. We have a second for that nomination. >> Sure, I'll second it. >> All right. So, uh, first motion on the
floor is, uh, nomination for Manish Sue, Council Member Sud for Vice Mayor, second or made by Joe Steven, seconded by Manish Sud. All those in favor? >> Oh, sorry, Valerie, you're doing the roll call. Sorry, my bad. Council member Coleman,
>> nay. >> Council member Stevens, >> yes. Council member Sud >> absolutely yes. >> Council member Kaine. >> Nay. >> Mayor El Remy.
>> Yes. Motion passes three to two. >> Congratulations, Vice Mayor. >> Congratulations. >> So, >> yeah, I think that that motion nullifies the uh subsequent motion with respect to Mr. Coleman. I can see you.
>> He said congratulations. >> All right. I believe we have one more item here to cover. Uh resolution 2026-9. Valerie, would you like to read that? >> A resolution of the town council of the town of Laha Hache Gross, Florida, nominating a town council member for in
supporting his or her appointment as the Palm Beach County League of Cities voting delegate and providing for an effective date. >> Great. um opening the floor for those nominations. >> So >> March was March was the previous right.
>> Just be No, I was >> Oh, you were um just so everybody knows this means you have to attend where this applies is the league conference which is I've got it written down here somewhere.
The league conference is August 13th through 15th. That's where the the voting >> I'm sorry. August when? >> August 13th through 15th. >> August 13th. >> And it's I think it's in Hollywood, but I'm not positive. Um, so just it's it's traditionally the mayor if the mayor of
Ter County. If not, it's whoever the vice mayor usually. >> Thank you. >> Just before you little piece of information. >> I would like to nominate Mayor Lisa Al Remy for this position.
>> I accept the nomination. Any other nominations for that position? >> I'm still doing this polling thing. Um I I nominate Anita. I mean, she's been doing it if she's willing to keep doing it. I mean, it's it's a League of
Cities. It's a you know, it's not it's a well, I'll explain it. I haven't been to too many meetings myself, so you know, it's a kind of a coalition of municipalities. So, >> all right. We have a nomination by Paul for Anita Kane. I don't She does not.
Okay. Any other nominations? >> Thanks though, Paul. >> No problem. >> All right. Roll call vote, please. Council member Coleman, >> I council member Stevens, >> yes. >> Council member Kaine, >> yes. Vice Mayor Sud,
>> yes. >> Mayor El Remy, >> yes. >> Motion passes 5 to zero. So at this time we will recess the meeting and um enjoy cake and again thank you all for participating in our democracy as it were and um let's
celebrate our new council members >> backlink. So far >> well that's What are you trying to say, Joe? >> Could you pause the water bottle? I think my >> Somebody took my All right.
All right, calling the meeting back to order and um thank you staff for the cake and all the autrammont. So, uh as the newly seated council, I would like to open the agenda back up for additions, deletions, and
modifications. Uh, >> jump on it. >> I press the light. Shoot. Get Oh. Uh. Oh, we have a light. Oh, there it goes. >> I'm learning, guys. This is the first time. So, I think as we discussed earlier, we have um
some additional topics that I would like to include. Starting with PBSO contract. Um, >> I don't see it on the agenda. >> But I would like to add. Is that allowed? >> Yes. >> It has to be advertised so that people can be
>> This is an advertised meeting. It can be added. Absolutely. >> Yeah. >> You have the ability to add the item. You may be criticized um that uh you didn't have it out there so that people were aware. It is a choice that you can
make >> and it could be just a discussion item at this point. So yes, we can add you would like it as a discussion item >> or you could just add it to the next agenda and have it as a full item. >> Well, we'll we'll be discussing the next
agenda before we convene the meeting tonight. But >> okay, I have one more item if I may. Let me go through the list quickly. I would like to uh article the sorry the resolution 202508 gave a unilateral power to the mayors to
sign grant application uh without proper council vote. I would like to take that power away from the mayor that was given to the mayor Kaine before. I would like to talk about the Florida commerce grant. I think the
scope of that grant interferes and contradicts with our comprehensive plan. I would like to cancel the contract of our two very expensive lobbyists. One of them specially I would like to cancel and save that $9,000 to pay for our
roads and and infrastructure and PBSO especially that contract is with Mary McNicholas. I would like a performance report done by our town manager given to the residents such as how many pothole fixed, what did they do every month
publicly available on the website and I would like to restore public comments uh immediately. I would like public to weigh in and stop that prior policy that did not let them speak at the beginning or during various uh agenda items and
read out their comments. >> Okay. Would you like >> can I say something? Yeah, >> sure. >> Nobody stopped public comment. >> Nobody stopped public comment. It was moved to the back or whatever. You were still allowed to talk on every single item. >> Yes. >> Okay. So, like let's be fair and let's be
>> And then we moved a second meeting so that we could have an interchange on non-aggenda items. The second meeting of the month, that was how we did it. So, are you suggesting we cancel the second meeting and just allow public comments at the beginning that we can't interchange with the with people because the feedback at those second meetings
was very very positive that people really enjoyed that format of being able to to talk, you know, to interchange, you know. >> Right. Right. No, I I don't think that's in doubt. Um, were you suggesting to bring back non-aggenda item comments to
the beginning of the meeting? >> Okay. Um so that was a lot Manish hold on. >> Yes. >> So >> and uh in the consent agenda I have issues with certain decisions made by the town manager here for example. Um
>> okay we will we will get to the consent agenda in a second. >> All right. At least these are the issues and I would like to I was given this letter today. The town manager has resigned. >> No she's retiring >> or retiring or resigned. I haven't read but it was just handed over to me. So I
would like to bring town manager >> uh as a as a agenda item to discuss what that is and what do we do. >> All right. Anybody else? >> I I hesitate to do that. She has a contract and there are certain things implications in her contract and I don't
think that we should bring that tonight and talk about that tonight. I think we want to talk about it. We put on the schedule and we deal with it with our due diligence. I don't >> Okay. >> There's a lot of things in that contract that I don't think Okay. >> Warrant or let us do that. >> Joe, do you have anything you would like
to change? >> Add, delete, modify. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. >> Well, uh, public comments uh non-aggenda related uh public comments at the beginning of every um town council meeting with one of mine. So, that makes two of us on that one. I do want to uh
discuss the mythbuster page. We can get into the details on that later and why I feel it needs to be taken down. Uh some other things maybe more for discussion. I would like to have a discussion on about a strict adherence to deadlines.
I um I would like to talk about establishing a spending budget for council members. I know one exists, but I think um if we're going to talk about cutting waste, it starts with the five of us. We will get a little more serious about that. And finally, I want to talk more about
our agenda and why it should be council driven. Those would be my items. Thank you. All right. So, I would also like to modify the agenda. I would like to add to new business. Um, since we are still
at the beginning of the phase prior to presentations, um, I would also like to uh receive and file uh the reports from the lobbyist. I'd like to um reschedule Mr. Buckley to
the meeting in two weeks. Uh, and then ask Mr. Lowour if he would either wait for the meeting or if he'd like to do his at the comment section. I would like to add item 7A uh, town manager operational and
performance matters uh, to the agenda and those are my changes on the regular agenda. So that would be
receiving and filing item eight, postponing nine to the next meeting, and delaying Mr. Lowour's presentation either to comments or comments is fine. >> Okay. Super. >> So you want to postpone
book to the workshop? the workshop or we're going to change the workshop to a meeting depending on the things that we're trying to move forward tonight and expedite. So, >> so I think it may be helpful to um have a
motion on those. I don't know whether you want to go one at a time or you want to have somebody try to wrap them all up. It's gotten a little heck. >> No offense, but I it's like we've totally erased this this agenda and come with a new one. And I don't think that's
fair to any or or transparent. Yes. But it's not fair to anybody who might have wanted to talk on any of those items. That's not here just because they thought it was contracts and you know the swearing in of new council members. I you know that's I don't
>> Yes. So um shall we start with the addition of 7A for the uh town manager operational and performance matters adding item 7A >> second. >> Do did you um just for a point of clarification
um do you want the public comments before that or is that going to be subsequent? I think that um the public can comment. Um we don't normally have comments on a deletions, additions, deletions, and modifications, but
>> no, I I had un my my understanding of what the direction was or the suggestion was is that we were going to put public comments back up front and that that might actually happen. >> We'll get to that. Yes. The non-aggenda item. >> All right. if you want them. >> So, um I have um
>> I have a second on adding >> adding 7A. >> Yes. >> All right. Uh and then um >> are we are we going down the list or what are we >> going down the list? Um receive and file on number eight.
>> Second. >> Are we are right now? Right now, if you're going to I'm not I'm not clear as to whether you are adding these one at a time with a motion and vote on each of them or you're identifying 7A and then
we're going to consider another matter and have a combined motion for >> What do you suggest, Jeff? >> Um I think given the the list here, I think it'll be easier on the clerk if we do it one at a time.
>> All right. So item 7A added. Um we've got a motion and a second. All those in favor? >> No discussion. >> Discussion. >> Yeah. Again, I want to strongly, you know, oppose this because I think that there ought to be some conversation with
the attorney on how right this is versus the contract cuz you don't want to, you know, the contract, as you remember, I don't if you guys read the contract or whatever, but there's a lot of, you know,
um, stipulations for different things. So, we violate her contract, we're going to be penalized it. It's not a it's not a I mean you you and I vote against contract so we read it and there's a lot of stuff in there that you know you
start talking about stuff out of school that it's not a good thing. There's a lot of penalty clauses in there that could cost us. I would like to meet with every council person and go over every specific item that anybody would like me to do and then it can come back at the
next council meeting or at the workshop because I think that Mr. Coleman is correct about how my contract works and I'm happy to do it recorded. I'm happy to do it with the attorney. I am happy
to do it however you would like. I will accommodate my schedule to work with any and all of you on any matter that you wish to discuss and we bring back an agenda item that doesn't put anybody at odds with one another relative to my
contract. I have announced my retirement. I have heard what you have said about contracts over the last year and that is that you wish to live by them and fulfill them. My contract does have a process for how you um come out
of the contract with me. And again, I'm very happy to sit down and go over it with all of you. And with regard to how we need to do operations and performance, that is something that probably is more of a workshop item, but
again, I'd love to discuss it with you and we can bring forward a complete agenda item mindful of what the provisions of my contract are. >> And to finish what I was saying, I don't think it's very fiscally responsible of us. I mean that's that's you know it
opens up a gambit of of scenarios that I don't think when and every single all five of us when we ran or whatever and we sit and talk about it all the time we talk about fiscal responsibility and I don't think that this item is that >> okay >> so
>> any other comments >> yes >> Mr. suits light was on before mine. I'm not sure. Okay, you go. All right. Um, >> so my only comment is that >> I don't believe that this is transparent to make that partic I do understand that
it's within your prerogative as mayor to make these changes if that's what you choose to do. So if that's what you choose to do, nothing I can do about that. However, I think that in light of transparency, as Mr. Coleman said, people previewed this agenda. people
thought certain items were on it and you're talking about adding I don't know I counted like 10 items to the agenda that people may have had something that they wanted to say something about citizens of the town may have something that they wanted to be included in and I think that it is probably prudent to not
make this many changes >> okay >> and certainly not transparent >> oh I'm sorry >> all right elections have consequences 70% % people 68 down to 70% we people
voted for a change people don't have patience to go through this z tape >> yes >> procedures okay so let me talk about transparency for a second we walked in and the first document that is given to
me is the this letter by the town manager saying I'm retiring it's a big letter I just met with this town manager yesterday today we had phone calls nobody told me this was me. So guys this this we have to move fast. I would like
yes this is people are watching on YouTube. We will follow all the procedures and let's we are in public. We are going to take some decisions as far as I'm concerned. Thank you. >> Yeah we got to move fast but not sloppy. I agree. We just got the letter today. So I don't I don't think it's prudent to
to act on that today. So >> any other comments? Any public comments? >> Mr. McClendon? Todd McClendon. 20 years I've been coming here and I've never seen the lack of transparency as I'm about to witness right now. >> We heard >> Yeah,
>> you there's public comment cards you have up there. I've heard from Joe tonight talk about we need to have deadlines for the agenda, right? It's got to be out by Wednesday. I'm assuming where you're going with that because people need to know what's going to be on the agenda. what's going to be voted on and the people have the right to know
that and now you're going just the opposite and you want to add things to the agenda. Lisa, you're all about transparency, right? People voted for transparency, Manish. Nobody voted and said we need to have transparency. We need to have hectic. We need to have craziness. That's not what they voted
for. They wanted they voted for a path moving forward in the right direction, steadily in the right direction, not this craziness that we're witnessing tonight. This is insanity. That's what this is. It's about putting it on the agenda so
people can have a right to come here and voice their opinion on it. If it's not on the agenda, how are they here tonight? They can't just come to every single meeting with no agenda and just add stuff as you will. That's ludicrous. Lisa, of all people, to allow this to
happen. All about transparency. Show me that you really mean it. Thank you. >> Thank you. Any other public comments? Uh, Miss Betts. All I was trying to find out is the lady right there who said she was talking
about retiring. I haven't been to many of these meetings. I'm sure most of these people haven't either. I wanted to know who she was and how she's connected to the town rather than what she had to say. I listened to you, believe me, but I wanted to know who you were. So, who
are you? I am the town manager of the town of Oxa Groves. I have a contract that expires on September 30th. I have decided to um not renegotiate my contract and to be as graceful and
cooperative as I can with six months remaining on my contract. The council has talked about how they wish to go ahead and look at contracts um and decide how they wish to proceed at the six month mark. I do not have to
go ahead and tell anybody that I was retiring or not planning to renew my contract. I'm giving an early notice. I gave it tonight because all the council would be here and I imagine that this is something that they want to talk about. I have worked together with council
member Coleman who was um designated by the council in their second meeting of the month which is workshops to be the person for succession planning and together working with he and Valerie
Oaks who is our clerk and assistant manager. I plan to bring forward with them um a succession and transition plan so it will be the easiest on the town. And in addition, I am willing to do
whatever anybody would like to do that will make it easy on the town with the least drama and the highest productivity and the best result that's possible for the transparency for everybody feeling
like they've got what they want. And in order to do that, what Mr. Coleman and I have thought about is to put it on the next agenda. That's why I'm giving everybody this letter tonight so that they understand I love working here. I
love the community. I love the staff that we built here and I love the hard work that we have done here for the last eight years. I will always try to help this community whether I am getting paid to help the community or otherwise. And
um you know all I can say is that I am happy to accommodate in any way I can at the most efficient, expeditious, non-dramatic and lovely professional way that I can. And I don't believe that
having a conversation tonight allows anybody the opportunity to talk through what the transition plan looks like, including that you will have to find my replacement. And I wish to be able to allow everybody to have a soft landing.
So I don't know if I've given you enough. I certainly haven't said everything I can say, but this isn't my meeting. I'm just answering your question. And again, whatever anybody wants, that's what I want to do. >> Lowest possible price, lowest possible
drama, least amount of inefficiency, and highest amount of productivity. >> All right. Thank you very much for introducing yourself. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, >> Mr. Dowski. Congratulations, Council Member Sud, Council Member
Stevens. My name is Laura Dowski, resident of the Groves for 20 plus years, elected official for nine. Proudly loved my job. If y'all listen to
our town attorney at the beginning of this discussion, it's a public meeting. it's properly notified, council can discuss whatever council wants to discuss and to sit here and bloate and wave
around words like transparency and not an opportune time. This is your opportune time. This is a public meeting. These are the residents. These are the people who need to hear these items. There was no none of you up there said
we're resolving anything right here and now. It's a discussion. Okay. And as a former elected being accused of the very same thing that you all are being accused of, it goes with
the territory. Welcome to being a public official. Serve your residents, listen to your residents, and conduct your business. I have great hope, great hope for what's coming to the town of Lockahhatchee
Groves. Thank you, >> Miss Vasquez. Thank you. Good evening, Lisa Vasquez. Um 15465 San Diego Drive. Um I apologize. I had to get up here and talk because I'm getting too excited back
there. I said I have to apologize because I have to get up here and talk. I was getting too excited back there. So, what I want to say is to Anita and Paul, you're mentioning constant. You're mentioning constantly the word
transparency. We had enough of that. Transparency for you mean going behind doors, talk about subjects, make decisions without us being informed
and know about it. We get to know things that are that affect this town greatly after you guys have made the decision. Then when we call you to ask questions,
you don't answer the phone. You never answer emails and you are very rude over the phone. So this is the perfect time for the new council members to bring up the subject that are more important to
us because this is what we voted for. A lot of new people came across to vote asking for a change. That culture of transparency,
that language of transparency, going behind doors and make settlements among yourself without us knowing how that might affect us. And by the time that we know we are affected.
Okay. So if this is important to the new council members elected, let them go through. Enough with rejection and stopping them. And I have a message for
the Grinch. What was Paul Todd? thought what >> so um yeah Todd um I sometimes watch the
meetings in YouTube and you're often here bringing your concerns and questions but everything you do also goes against the flow of this meeting and I don't think a
lot of people appreciate that you call people during elections to trash uh me uh candidate members like you did with Robert short like you did with Manish >> thank you >> take a look at yourself have a
self-reflection and stop doing what you do I think you'll serve better the the county the city in doing So, thank you. Thank you. >> Anyone else? >> No. Okay. >> May I May I address something real
quick? I know we don't want him to do this, but I want to go on record saying I have had no backdoor deals with anybody. Okay. Just want just want to go on record. I have not done any dealing behind anyone's back. Any discussion I've had with any of the other council
members has been up here. Um, yes, I do get briefed on the agenda, which most any council person or commissioner or what have you in government does. Instead of sitting here and trying to discern it while I'm reading it or reading it at home and trying to figure out what's going on, I like to get the
input of the staff member and that's perfectly within the law and that's perfectly acceptable. Um, you know, so and and I apologize if I didn't return your email or I didn't return a phone call. I returned somebody's phone call today. So, if if that didn't happen, you know, thank you. Um, but I, you know, if
that didn't happen, please reach out to me again. Send a text message. Sometimes I don't get the phone number. You know, I got that spam thing on the phone. Maybe I need to turn that off, but, you know, just want to put that out there. There's no backdoor dealing going on. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you, Paul, for clearing
that up. So, uh, >> Mr. Sue has his light on. >> Yeah, I think that's just been staying on. So, uh, Mr. Curts, you suggest that we make a vote for this agenda item now. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> So that we know whether it's going to be on the agenda.
>> So uh vote on the addition of item 7A for town manager operational and performance matters. All those in favor? >> I >> I >> opposed. >> Opposed. >> Motion passes two to uh 3 to two to add
that item. Uh I'd like to take presentations as a whole. um the receive and file on eight uh postpone uh nine to the next council meeting and uh Mr.
Lowour will do his in comments. >> Um >> there was the addition of Treasure Coast um >> doing their presentation this evening. >> Number eight is going to be a receive and file. >> Yes. So file >> hold on.
So, Mr. Sud, you brought up the uh Florida Commerce Grant. Um, so I don't know if we want to make that an actual discussion item uh and then receive and file Treasure Coast report. >> Can't that just go with the Treasure Coast report?
>> It could potentially uh but I know we received one in all of our handouts that we got tonight. Um, which I believe is the PowerPoint that was presented at the workshops. It's a shorter version of the workshop. >> Well, it would it excuse me one second,
Lisa. It it would be good to perhaps add it to this presentation just because, you know, we we're paying professionals to be here and everything and it would be a good idea to add that item to this presentation so she could be here to answer questions as opposed to moving it
to the end of the meeting and having her have to wait till the end of the meeting to answer any questions. >> Okay. So, um, Paul, did you have Yeah. concerns about these? >> I mean, listen, the Yokchobee Boulevard properties evaluation thing with with Ramsay. I have a feeling just by the
show of the name tags and t-shirts in here that there are a lot of people here for number nine. >> So, I you know, >> the public members of the public. So, I don't know that we necessarily want to table that till the next meeting just because I mean I'm just in the front row. I'm counting four people.
>> So, >> okay. Um any other comments? >> Yeah, I I would like to say to those people who are waiting, this is very important. Um we have some major urgencies going. I appreciate that you are waiting here. We'll take
care of you. And uh as I said, I have these items. You can madame mayor, you can decide how you want to uh fit them in. I would like discussions on once again BBSO contract number one. Yeah, Manish will get to that. I I
haven't gotten to that yet. We're still working on presentations. >> Okay. For So, I I would say that leave the presentation later, move it to the second part. Let's discuss the main topics first. Well, >> okay. Joe, did you have any comments
on presentations? >> Um, once again, I know that we're doing things differently now. However, we have always bore in mind the cost of keeping professionals here that give the presentation. So, I urge you to consider leaving the presentations where they
are. >> I appreciate that. >> Um, presentations tend to take up a lot of these times in this meeting where the public is here to speak and often times they are scheduled by staff and are not brought forward by the council. So hence part of the issue with these things
being stacked into this agenda tonight with so many things that could have been put off to the next meeting. So this this is a problem that we have. The legisl the legislators in Tallahassee are on break. I can't imagine there's much updates for that. Receive and file
on number eight. Um, we can leave item 8A in for Treasure Coast to to present with a discussion of the the status of the comprehensive plan technical assistance grant. Uh, we can leave in Mr. Buckley's presentation and move item
10 to comments. >> Okay. >> Does that work? >> That works for me. >> Any public comment on that, Mr. McClendon? Todd McClendon, just so the members of the public are aware, presentations are about education. It's about educating the council, all the staff that's here,
and the public as to what's happening instead of relying on rumors. You're hearing it from the horse's mouth. That's why presentations are here tonight. To say we're going to put them off, put off education, put off putting accurate information out there is just
it's just sad. And and I just heard about we've heard enough about transparency. I've never heard anybody say we've heard enough transparency. We don't need it anymore. It's ludicrous. I I can't even believe what I'm watching here tonight. It's It's like the Twilight Zone. And people clap for lack
of transparency. And is it legal to put an agenda out him out there and an agenda with items on it and then add them at the last minute? It's legal. That doesn't mean you should do it. I'm sure the clerk would be happy to say, "Hey, we're meeting the first Tuesday of every month at six o'clock. Be here and we're going to just add stuff at will at
the agenda." People would go nuts. They would go nuts. But that's what we're doing. And somehow people are that we're taking stuff off and adding stuff on at the last minute. Like I said, the clerk would be ecstatic. One sheet of paper, Tuesday 6:00, be here,
be square, and we're going to add stuff at will. That night people would go nuts. >> But tonight they're clapping. They're clapping that this is exactly what's happening. It's ludicrous.
>> Miss Suchi. >> Cassie Suchi reminds me of a childhood story. Henny Pennney, the sky is falling. I've sat here at all the meetings or almost all the meetings and council has added deletions and taken things out and additions and it appears to me what I'm
hearing is there's going to be items of discussion at the end. The agenda is still intact. I've also heard council remove items and postpone them and delay them and put them at other meetings. So, nothing new that I'm seeing.
What I am seeing is a lot of things new happening that maybe some people don't like. As for presentations for education, yes, but I've also seen them used as, if I might say, weapons to wear down the
audience. And it takes me back to the budget discussions when people showed up to talk about budgeting and some of the raises of taxes. And we had four presentations that took almost two to three hours. Delayed the meeting and
right before the topic that everybody showed up. We delayed the meeting till the next night. Was it done on purpose? I don't know. From the audience, it sure looked like that. People showed up on their own time to talk. They sat through two hours of
presentations and all this delay. And then we get to the item. Oh, it's late. We're going to postpone the meeting till tomorrow night. Some people came back. So, I've seen it both ways.
>> Thank you, Miss Scrunchie. >> Cynthia Scrunchy 15349 collecting canal. Pretty much what Cassie said is exactly true. The fact that these presentations were added to the schedule this evening given the
fact that there are so much to be addressed. Todd, you're making yourself look silly. I mean, enough really. You lost the election. You can't be involved in every I mean, it's just stop. You just you're not making any pertinent conversations
or points. So, the fact that this council and I I just like everybody else in this room is very very excited that we finally have change, that we finally have transparency,
that the people on this council collectively will do what's right for the folks that live here, the residents. So, I think exactly what you're doing and trying to accomplish tonight needs to happen. And enough with the smoke and mirrors. Just move on. You've got great
additions to this to this agenda that are justified. I I apologize to the folks that are here for their presentations, but this is so much more important than presentations that can be put off. Just like you said, Tallahassee is not in session right now. So, there's
nothing that's going to happen tonight that can't be done at the next meeting. And I am sorry if it inconveniences the folks that are here for their presentations, but what this council is trying to accomplish by far exceeds in importance.
>> Thank you. >> Anything else? Okay. >> Make a comment. >> Sure. Well, I I appreciate all the public comments and I I think that exactly my point goes to that we are not going to engage with the town manager behind walls. Sorry, Mr. Coleman.
>> That's not what I said. >> Can I >> That's not That's not what I No, because you're you're injecting that I'm speaking No, we're not speaking behind walls. Okay. That's not what I'm saying. What I'm saying is it's not prudent to take this course of action right now that I think we need to be a little more
fiduciary about how we do this. Right. That's it. Because if we're not, it could be very fiscally irresponsible of these five people and very bad for the town. So that's all I'm saying. I'm not saying meet behind walls. I'm saying we need to postpone and you need to check
with, you know, read the contract and check with the attorney. That's all I'm saying. >> See, this is the problem of the system, guys. We have our council people who are so much buried in these procedures and this person telling them this and that. They they've lost touch with what
residents want. So, let me finish my thought. If you please don't interrupt me, please. >> Don't accuse me of something anymore. >> I'm not. Thank you. >> Okay. So, >> madame town manager, if I may. This is not about you or your contract only.
This is about our residents. Our town is run by this very important CEO. We give the direction but the town manager actually runs the town. All these items, all these decisions are taken by the very town managers that we want to discuss who suddenly deci decides to
retire and I have some questions and I will never discuss any such thing behind wall and I know my previous colleagues here madame mayor prior mayor has discussed contracts with the town manager and things of that negotiation.
I I am in the view my view is discuss with the town manager publicly right here. So, thank you so much. >> Thank you. We've lost our clerk. So, I >> think she's getting a public comment >> in the kitchen.
>> Yeah, I see that. >> Well, it's being recorded, so it means >> So, Jeff, should we move ahead on this? >> All right. As I once again um as I understand uh there is a motion to
receive the motion would be receive and file number eight. >> Yes sir. Um I think the decision the suggestion is move forward with item 8A and have a brief presentation
during that brief present or or following that brief presentation that can be combined >> um with uh Councilman uh Sud's request that we discuss the Florida Commerce Grant.
>> Yes. Um, I don't know whether you also want to roll that have have the discussion about 20258 as a part of that or have that be a separate item. >> Uh, for me, no. I I think that 20250 is
something that the standalone. Yeah. Okay. Yes, sir. Just as it pertains to the Treasure Coast planning presentation. >> And then >> and then keep item nine. >> Keep keep item nine. keep item nine and move item 10 to staff comments.
>> Yes. Okay. So, uh is everybody there's a motion to on the floor to that effect? >> Second. >> And that's been seconded. Um all those in favor. >> All those in favor. >> Sorry. Sorry. >> All those in favor?
>> I opposed. Potion. >> Okay. passes four to one. >> And I apologize. I was trying to be the clerk and the attorney and it's tough. >> Moving past the consent agenda, are
there any additional changes? Um, Mr. Sud wants to add a discussion on PBSO. Are you okay with putting that as item 28? >> Yes. >> Okay. Uh, Mr. Stevens, you had some things you wanted to add.
>> So, you're adding the ESO's >> item 28. Yes. discussion item 28. >> And Joe, the things you wanted to discuss, is that something you're comfortable putting into your comments tonight to get consensus or is that
something you want as an agenda item? >> Well, most of mine I think were meant for more of a workshop. Um, we can we can discuss those in the workshop if if it's okay with council. >> Okay. But the one that I did have that uh I know Councilman Sue brought up public comments so he's kind of got the
lead on that one and that's just fine. Uh but I wanted to discuss the mythbuster page. U pick one. It would be that one. >> Would you like that as a discussion item? >> Yeah, that'd be fine. Thank you. >> Okay. We'll add discussion item 29. Can I expand on that to um website
policy? All right. Adding item nine, discussion item, website policy. 29. Yes, >> 29. >> So, I will take a motion to add item
discussion item 28 um discussion of the PBSO contract and item 29, website policy. >> So, moved. >> Do I second? >> Yeah, I'll second. >> Okay. And comments, >> the other topics that I brought up, would you be including that later on or
>> you can use that in your council comments? I would like one item to be added for uh the contract with the lobbyist Mary McNicholas to be discussed as item 30 30th if we could please.
>> Are is that just the one lobbyist? >> Yeah. Mary McNicholas contract lobbying contract for $90,000 annually. Yes. >> Slug and Associates. Yes. >> We have received a letter from um Jeffrey B. Slugged and Associates um
providing us with the required 30 days notice to terminate their contract due to their increased multiple demands and they will always be happy to um continue to provide um exceptional service during the transition of their contract and
happy to meet with anybody regarding that and I will give this to the mayor to enter I'm sorry the clerk to enter it into the record. >> Thank you. Receive and file letter from Slug and Associates. Does that remove your item? >> No. >> Okay. Right. They're resigning.
>> Okay. So, we have >> we have addition to the motion. Yeah. >> I haven't seen the resignation. I want to discuss this topic, please. Thank you. >> Why do I have a feeling of me making a motion? >> We will make copies. >> All right. Yeah. Amen. A motion.
>> You're making copies of that. Okay. We'll be getting a copy of that from the staff. >> Thank you. I'm amending my motion to add 30. >> A discussion. Thank you. >> Second to add 30. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Anita. >> Any public comment? >> No. No. All those in favor
of adding 28, 29, and 30. >> I >> I >> nay. >> Opposed? Just one. All right. Item passes four to one. All right. So, we will move on to presentations then. Uh starting with
um thanking the lobbyists in Tallahassee for their time tonight and we look forward to their receive and file report on the current legislative update. And we'll begin with Treasure Coast Planning. >> Well, we didn't want to add the public comment at the beginning. We didn't want
to move that tonight. I mean, we're moving everything else around, Lisa. I mean I I it whatever >> it would have been at the beginning of the meeting which has already passed. >> Well I mean yeah we've just been meeting on on on you know the agenda right now so it been so I'm just saying I'm just
throwing it out there. >> I mean >> does anybody else want to add >> um I think as Mr. Stevens said public tr inputs are very welcome. I would encourage to open public comments as best as you can madame mayor. Okay,
we'll look forward to adding that at the future meetings as the first item. Thank you, Kenthia, >> Jessica. Sorry about that. Thank you. >> I'm I'm keeping up with Is there item 7 A though in front of me now? >> No, ma'am. >> No, ma'am.
>> Yes, there is item 7 A. 78. We'll have a 7. >> I didn't know if you were going to take it out of order and get rid of the presentation. >> Let's get the presentations done so that these folks can get on the road. >> 10 10 >> I'm sorry. Yes, we >> come to 10A. Lisa, >> we can leave it as 7A and we'll come
back to it as new business. >> Yeah. >> So, thank you for your time. Um, I've seen you all uh over the weekend already and many of the people in the audience. So, this will be much briefer than the presentations and the workshop that was done um last uh two Saturdays ago on
March 28th and March 30th. Um just a reminder for anyone who doesn't know in the room, I'm from Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council. My name is Jessica Seymour. We are um one of the 10 regional planning councils in the state. We don't represent um any any developers
or private land owners. We only work for municipalities. Um, and we only go where we're asked to go. Uh, we were asked by the town to help um, meet the deliverable needs of the Florida Commerce Grant. And up on the screen
there is a quote um, stating the goals of the grant, which include reinforcing the town's commitment to preserving its rural character. Uh, these are the really just for food for the for thought for the uh, the room and the council.
The deliverables really include five main items in that Florida Commerce grant. One is a uh analysis or an assessment of the tra traffic and infrastructure, public safety and drainage. Um an analysis of pedestrian and equestrian safety as well as gateway
identity. um fiscal and zoning strategy evaluation um which is is a lot of words really just to describe looking at the zoning and if there are opportunities to make improvements and then a final report. Key to all of those deliverables was
robust public outreach. So um we hosted um not just the one public workshop but actually two at the request of the town. And then um in addition to what was required of the Florida Commerce Grant was the online survey so that we can get as much broad support as possible um as
far as not support but input. Um the project schedule for reference we were at the town council on February 3rd where um the Florida Commerce Grant was accepted as well as um our interlocal agreement to do the work that was
described in the Florida Commerce Grant. Um, and then for reference too, we keep calling it the Florida Commerce Grant because that's the name of the department at the state that um, gives out these grants, but it is a planning grant, a technical assistance planning grant. Um, it does not necessarily
correspond with any um, commercial development, which we've heard a lot about the concerns about that in the challenge. Um, this is the outline of where we're at. um May 1st that online survey will close and then in just a second um I'll have a QR code if anybody
has not received it yet and would like to participate in the survey. Tonight we're also requesting um that we have an additional town council workshop date. Um, I know there's going to be some discussion about the schedule going forward and we'd like to be included on
that schedule so that we can present back to you the findings of the public input um prior to um any submission or or um drafts that would come to you. So, we want to give you a work in progress so to speak.
And there's that QR code for the landing page. Um I'm going to skip ahead because I mentioned it. That's the QR code for the community survey. So, please um this is an opportunity for us to again get that word out. I'm gonna go backwards
now. We'll we'll see it again. This is another QR code. I'll go back to it. This is the QR code for the project landing page. So, materials from the workshop last weekend if you didn't get to attend um are posted there. Um and we'll be adding more information and
dates to that landing page as we go through this process. Um we were asked um several times and this is something we went over uh last week, two weekends ago now. Um was why are we doing another study? Well, this southern corridor study is specifically
focused on the southern corridor of the town. Um so it's an opportunity to really focus on that area of the town versus some other areas. Um and um it's an opportunity to talk about discussion, drainage, town identity. um specific to
those um that corridor. Um it's also helps to make the town prepared for when funding could be available through the state for implementation if we have um the analysis and the um the recommendations in place. That said, any
of the recommendations that come from this study, they don't need to be acted upon by the town council, which is something that we've um we've mentioned several times. Um, we want to investigate opportunities for collaboration with agency partners. And by that I mean, um, understanding, you
know, where there might be places where, um, we can work together with the MO um, be more aware of what Palm Beach State College is planning um, on their their properties. Um, and again to discuss transportation. And this is the the
rough outline of the study area, which is where I think a lot of the conversation has generated from. Uh it's a little little dark up here. Well, I can't point at it, but it includes the um Southern Boulevard, of course. Um and
then it also includes the collecting uh canal road and the collecting canal so that we can start to look at the drainage conditions around there. Um I think that a lot of the conversation that we've heard through our workshop is concerned that that aspect of their uh
deliverable that was focused on zoning and um was concerned that there's some sort of expansion or changes of zoning. Um I can tell you that through our process so far we have not heard that there is a desire for that. Um so I will
not be you know we will not be bringing that forward as a recommendation. What we are investigating are places where landscaping might be improved um or um some specifics to how water is dealt with in uh in properties. And again, um
it's really more focused um based on the input that we've received on those that are already zoned commercial. Um again, I mentioned that we wanted to look at collecting Canal Road because it is the first east west road and it collects a lot of the water through your drainage
system. Um, and it's also important to define what's adjacent to what is different so that there's always a very clear understanding of um, what your neighbors are doing and um, what the context is. As far as where we are in the process,
we are still, of course, collecting information and data, but we've started to pull that information together into the project draft report, which again, um, we would like to bring some of that material back in May. um and then have a final report in June.
This is that online survey again. So, I promised I would bring it back. And that really concludes my uh presentation. So, I'm here to answer any questions that the council has. >> Thank you. Um use your lights. I see Paul's got his on speak.
>> So, just I you might have touched on this. I don't know what. So, basically what we're doing is it's it's a study, right? We've established that it's just a study of report and uh giving us recommendations on how to maybe fortify our buffers more um how to how to go
about trying to solidify that that corridor that already exists in the comp plan, right? It's stated in the comp plan, but kind of solidify that a little more heavily because we've had two developments come in and totally run over top of that, right? And I I think I as I was sitting in the meeting Saturday
and Monday, you know, um you know, I heard a lot of comments Saturday, I think I heard one person say, "Well, who cares?" But he lives way over on the other side of town. So it's, you know, I I >> But am I hitting it right? That's that's the purpose behind this. I mean honestly
what we've heard a lot about is about creating a document that solidifies a lot of the recommendations that already are there um through your vulnerability assessments through um studies that have already been done um your comp plan of course and compiling it all into one
report. Um in addition to that we will be doing um again some illust you know drawings of um you know what gateway you know elements might be something desirable for the community because that's part of the the commerce grant. But it's it's really about solidifying
all the public input that we've seen um so far into a consolidated report that's focused on this area. And for those that weren't there, that's it really was a a a data gathering or input gathering mission >> both days. It was Yeah, there was no
real, you know, um there was some kind of >> off the rails stuff that happened or whatever, but it was brought back in and it it really was, especially Saturday, it was more workshoppy. Everybody sat around the table and you know different we had they had six tables set up and it
was kind of giving input as to where they and everybody was saying tangerine, tangerine, tangerine. And I think Treasure Coast has taken that home and we'll see next month. So, thanks Jess. >> Absolutely. >> Thank you. Manish, your light is on. >> Yep. >> Can you use your microphone? >> Thank you.
>> We spoke earlier today, right? >> Yes, we did. >> Thank you for your time. >> Absolutely. >> You answered a lot of my questions, but some questions I have to ask you in public, so please be brief. >> Uh, did you develop the town Mythbuster page? >> No, we did not. >> Okay.
Um, did you develop the website Southern Boulevard corridor page? >> It was initially drafted before Treasure Coast was on board. We have been editing it um to some extent and then again post suggesting that new contact content be
posted on there such as the material. Okay. >> The first paragraph says this is our project residents. So please listen to this. The town is working to turn the southern boulevard corridor in bracket southern boulevard to collecting canal
into a welcoming rural style business district business district that number one bullet point supports local community serving business and development. Could you please explain to
me what does this mean? What is southern corridor bul boulevard corridor what is the geographical boundary of this area >> so at this time there is no recommendation to develop >> that's not my question when you were given the scope yes who gave you the
scope >> we were given the scope by Florida commerce and from the town >> okay Florida com Florida commerce gave us the grant but who gave you the scope to said this is the area who gave you that scope >> that came from the town and The original
>> who in the town gave you that scope? >> Uh the Francine the city manager and >> Francine gave you the scope. Okay. Okay. Good. Understood. Okay. The next next section um do you you are you are an expert in
public private partnerships right? You guys do this for a living. Florida law section 166.021 021 says grant spending must serve a public purpose if
must serve a public purpose. However, if it benefits specific private parcels, if it enables targeted development, it can be challenged. It can create financial and legal liability. So my question to you again very simple
question in the boundary that was given to you are there private properties in that area >> so yes of course there do I want to have a point of clarification I am not an expert in public
I just want to make clear there >> okay um Florida local government comprehensive planning and land development regulation Act found in chapter 163 part 2 Florida law 163.3194
says all local and development regulations and development orders must be consistent with the adopted comprehensive plan. Are you aware we have a comprehensive plan? >> Absolutely. It's one document. >> Have you read that plan? >> Yes. Okay. >> Very good.
>> Okay. And in that plan what is your understanding of the commercial area? that it be limited to south of Tangerine. Um and uh there's also previous planning documents that call out some specific de um dimensional
criteria as well. >> Okay. Who are your partners in this study? >> We have I mean we could define uh partners as in kind uh partnership with the college since they provided the space for the workshop. >> I'm saying paid partners. Who are your
partners? Mary McNicholas uh and our drainage consultants. Yes. >> Yes. We are working with the consultants with the town. >> What is your budget for this grant? >> The budget is the the Florida Commerce Grant which is $75,000. >> Now, how how much are you paid for this grant? Your organization?
>> Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council is $75,000. >> Exactly. For the interlocal grant. >> Okay. Good. What? >> Larry McNicholas is a partner. How much have you been >> the I was going to say that the the grant of $75,000 and their contract is
for $75,000 there. >> Correct. So that $75,000 goes to them. I'm trying to understand the overall cost of this grant because we I was told that this is a grant is budget neutral. I'm trying to understand here. Mary McNicholas, have we paid her for working
on this grant? >> No, she does not issue a separate bill for working on this grant. It's part of her regular um representation of the town with regard to working with other agencies
and on these types of projects. >> Okay. What? So you you amended our scope. Is that correct, madam? Town manager. Yes. >> I did not amend any scope. The scope for this project? >> No. Is she working for free or is she paid? That's my question. the the contract what she has is a contract that
pays her uh or her firm $7,500 a month, $90,000 a year. The scope of the contract um is taskbased and it's tasks um that are that are >> correct. Yes. >> Yeah, she is paid.
>> It's be very simple. Okay, guys. It's yes and no simple. There's no I understand. >> But it it's not specific to this or that. But in her 7,500 a month paid contract. She does some of the work that she's doing is under that cost. Understood. >> Okay. And you said you also work with
our drainage and some other consultants. Yes. >> Have you paid anything to them? Any anybody else? >> They're working with regard to all of the infrastructure and drainage throughout the whole town which includes in the southern boulevard corridor. So
they are not doing separate work for this grant. They are sharing with treasure coast planning the work that they have already done with respect to other projects and other applications that we have made. And I do have to
correct the public record with regard to the scope. Yes, the scope that Miss Seymour received was from me, but that scope was the same as what was submitted to the Department of Commerce for the original grant, which was in a letter
that was provided to you, Mr. Sud, and to all council. And before we accepted this grant, that scope was approved by the sitting council at that time. The contract that Treasure Coast has is pursuant to that scope and in fact they
have changed the deliverables and they have worked directly with the Department of Commerce. The boundaries for the Southern Boulevard were not determined by staff. They were not determined by Treasure Coast. They are generally
speaking what have been found in our historical documents and our comp plan. Our original comp plan called out the southern boulevard corridor and I believe Miss Seymour has also looked at the previous comp plan because that was
the one that was developed talking about the need for that district to include up to connect collecting canal to protect the town by having significant residential and vegetative buffers. So
the land is not intended to be all commercial. The land is intended to be however this study recommends we should consider and if you do not adopt it then it doesn't change from how it is right now. >> Okay. Thank you madam town manager. I
appreciate if everybody could be a little brief. Thank you. Okay. So here here residents and my fellow council members our comprehensive plan clearly defines what commercial where commercial
activity is appropriate clearly. However the Florida commerce grants appear to reference a very broad corridor and our town manager is now saying it is referenced in multiple document and town council approved it and so forth. I was given a print out when I asked for it
and I was actually surprised to see certain things in there such as corridor and all those other things and you know on Facebook and others I made a big deal and that was one of my election campaign issues as well. So our town website page
says uh southern boulevard corridor page it's public. It says, "We are working to turn Southern Boulevard, Southern Boulevard to connecting Canal into a welcoming rural style business district support local community business and development." Now remember there are
residences in there. The town Mythbusters page says the collecting canal buffer zone 2008 map three. The boundary south of collecting canal was established in 2008. So we've passed a comprehensive plan. Our council did in
2025. It clearly said this is the area but somehow 2008 is being referred. It says insert image 2008 strategic planning map. There is none. So website doesn't show any of that. Interestingly
um there is no link on this page to the town approved comprehensive plan which is the law of the land. Would you agree that's the law of the land? Yes, >> it is not the law of the land but it should be available upon request. Absolutely >> understood. Okay. I will talk to you
separately on other topic but that's okay. By directing residents to the confusing and conflicting information according to my view the town staff or the manager if she did it and I understand somebody reviewed it has
failed to provide an accurate public record. This creates a risk of misalignment and unintended consequences. As I said under section 166.021 021 grant spending must meet a public service public purpose. It can be
challenged otherwise and cost us a lot of money. This is not about stopping the grant. It's about ensuring that public funds are used strictly for public benefit consistent with our adopted comprehensive plan and not as a vehicle for expanding commercial activity into
residential a zones. I am proposing that we formally clarify the scope with Florida Commerce immediately and reaffirm that our grant-f funded work must align with our comprehensive plan and serve a clear public purpose. We must also tell this to all our
implementation partner that includes you to restrict the study to the legal corridor that is defined in our comprehensive plan. So it could be a discussion item, it could be a motion. I leave it to the mayor. I move to direct the town manager to formally notify
Florida Commerce and all implementation partners associated with the Southern Boulevard grant to ensure that the sto scope of the work is consistent with the town comprehensive plan and limited to the designated commercial areas only as defined in the town's comprehensive plan. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Uh, Councilman, Council Person Sud, um, a couple things I think for you to to be aware of and and maybe Jessica can elaborate on some of this. First of all, within a within a
study area or a corridor, um even if you're talking about a portion of it being commercial in in nature or potentially commercial in nature, as a part of the study, you would want to consider
transition areas and and buffers. Um and I think what uh Jessica has indicated is that there is clear direction. so far um from the folks who have participated in the in
the study uh that the expansion of commercial is not wanted. So this document in all likelihood will support the existing comprehensive plan. The other thing that you have to remember
about a comprehensive plan um is that it is an important document and when there are inconsistencies between for example your land use plan and your zoning plan the land use plan uh prevails.
However, any comprehensive plan is a document that can be amended. there's a specific amendedment process and there are requirements that you actually review it every once in a while for the potential of amendment. So what I'm
hearing from Jessica is that this study might actually end up supporting the existing comprehensive plan. Lastly, um as has been pointed out, the study is something that would come to you um and
ultimately be rejected or accepted or uh rejected in part, accepted in part, those kind of things. So, you ultimately have control over the outcome of the uh the study as to how it would be
utilized. Just wanted to point those things out to you that it's not necessarily a negative to have um a study that would have a wider corridor than those items that are designated as commercial or potentially commercial
because you do want to consider the transitions from a zoning perspective. Um in addition to the fact that um Jessica indicated that a lot of those elements that go beyond the immediate commercial on southern has to do with um
drainage and transportation. >> Thank you Paul. You've got your light on. >> Yeah. I I have a question. So would you Manish, would you say that um drainage is a public concern? Right. >> Yes. >> Okay. Would you say water quality is a public concern?
>> Absolutely. Would you say a buffer between you if you're if you happen to live there and not on the north end of the town, a buffer between you and the commercial that's getting placed there is a public concern? >> I never said I'm I'm just Yes. Okay. You
want a yes or no? Okay. Would you say adherence to a site plan is a public concern? >> Right. And commercial not driving up and down your road. That's a public concern. Right. So, um I think the purpose of the Southern Boulevard corridor study, which
there's a lot of gaslighting and trigger words being used, and I hate those terms, but you know, that's what comes to mind when I hear these things that's going around. The whole purpose behind this is so we have a full picture of what is inside that study area, right?
It's a study area that encompasses the corridor. And with a clear definition of the corridor, we can institute other taxing districts, right? That would benefit the town. Correct. Um, you know, and it it helps to solidify some
things because as you point out, the comprehensive plan has has some law, but two MUDs got approved years ago that allowed them to encroach upon that barrier, right? This is going to help solidify things. So um I would like to
say that I would like to think too that you know department of commerce issued the grant based on an application right we are following that application. So if the department of commerce issued the grant they awarded the grant then
they're at fault awarding the grant. We're not at fault for using the grant. That's just my simple logic. Um, also and and anybody who writes grants, cuz I don't write grants that's in the room, would you say that it's necessary to have uh engineering and studies and things like
this handy when you're applying for certain grants in order to get funding >> certain grants to get the >> So, so you have these the study information that actually can go in our pocket, right? Even if we adopt it and
say we like the report, thank you very much, have a nice day, but we don't implement anything. We have a study there that has compared our existing code to what the comp plan says and pointed out conflicts because as I understand it, you know, if there's
conflicts in there, that leaves openings for um no offense for those in the room, attorneys to come in and punch holes and everything and next thing you know, you're having to swallow a development. So I, you know, this is a multiaceted $75,000 bill that we're not having to
pay. And this and this company that does this or this entity that does this does it for multiple municipalities across the state. So to think that they're even doing something unfort is is just out of this world. >> Can I can I respond to him now? >> Yes.
>> Mr. Coleman, I never said stop the grand. I said follow the law. Follow the comprehensive plan. I also said everything is connected to everything. Why stop at collecting canal? Why not come also to my home and >> because that's what >> can I please finish I let you
>> you asked a question I was going to answer >> I'm just telling you is the following there is a area defined and then everything is connected the water the sewage the water quality I'm not saying don't study everything is interconnected but follow tell Florida commerce that
this is the zone we are going to spend our money here yes we will see what else is connected and I'm not interested this is me my vote in bringing more business, more taxes, more commercial in anything else. Our commercial area is very well
defined what it is. >> Correct. >> No more, no nothing. I don't want anything more. >> We agree. >> So that's it. >> I believe everybody agrees with that. But but Mr. Coleman is correct. One of the first actions I took when I was elected to council is to negotiate with
a developer to move a building a project that had been approved north of Tangerine, which is not allowed. right under our comprehensive plan, but it had been approved by a previous council and we made a we negotiated to move that forward and trade it with something
else. So I believe what Mr. Coleman and what Treasure Coast is trying to to say is this is a way for us to to really short up to make sure that nothing like that happens again. >> So in other words, you agree with what I'm saying? We all agree. >> Okay. So what is the problem by telling >> because the gaslighting that's going on
saying that this was done improperly it's been going on for months. It's been going on for months. It's been going on for months. The fact that it's being said that this was done improperly, we're misusing the grant. Duh. I can guarantee you if we were trying to misuse the grant, Treasure Coast is not
going to misuse the grant. Treasure this is not their fault. They were given a scope. Anyway, my motion is very simple, Paul. Let me repeat it again. I said simply direct the town manager to formally notify Florida Commerce and all implementation partners associated with the Southern Boulevard grant to ensure
that the scope of the work is in is consistent with the town's comprehensive plan and limited to the designated commercial areas only. That's it. So what's wrong with that statement? >> Because we're going to get a report in a little over two a month but a month and a half that's going to state all that. I
>> so if they assume that >> what >> you are you are already conflicting you're giving them what to write in the report how do you know the conclusion of the report >> how do I know that because I was at both workshops I listened intently and if listen if they pass if they pass a study
forward that doesn't match what the town wants we don't take it >> we don't take it that's as simple as that we're beating this horse to death here and it's pretty simple >> any other comments you know sorry my Okay. >> You know, it comes forward and we say yes or no.
>> Yeah. So, Jessica, I I had a couple questions. Um so when this was being discussed um in light of the lobbyist contract, I specifically questioned uh how they were getting paid because of
concerns from commerce uh that the grant monies were being paid specifically for those vendors that were participating in this. So that kind of dovetales onto Mr. uh Council Member Sud's issues. Um, so
I thought that our previous uh $75,000, a portion of that was going to Treasure Coast, not the entire balance. The interlocal calls out for the entirety of that to go to um Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council um as
approved on February 3rd. Um we um at that to that point, I mean, we can proceed um with the coordination that we've gotten from the um um the town's consultants as far as
engineering and um traffic from the studies that they've already given us. So to um the town manager's comments before, they've really just helped us to locate all the work that they've already done before where it's relevant to the southern border. >> Okay. And I I do have concerns that the
boundary goes so far north. Uh could we will we be seeing in the report that it will only really be addressing or or um influencing uh directly adjacent land to that Tangerine Citrus Corridor. >> So um when it comes to conversations
again about the drainage and um and the traffic flows, um it's important for us to zoom out a little bit. In fact, we've we've zoomed out a little bit bigger than that just because there's context that needs to be understood to understand, you know, people are going to Okachobee, there's additional canals
to the north um and the and the concerns for drainage up there. Um, as far as the um the the business um district concerns and the commercial activity concerns, we've heard loud and clear that it is exactly what you just described and
would be very consistent with your comp plan, which was just adopted in 2025 through your appraisal um uh your your annual appraisal and review. So, um I don't see any issues with uh Vice Mayor Sud's request that there be um
communication to the entire team that it be consistent with the comprehensive plan. Um I don't see any inconsistency with that. Um the Florida Commerce Grant, um you know, again, we will continue to we've already submitted some
of the work to them for review. Um, so you know, we'll want to stay consistent with what we've shown them before, but it'll again be consistent with the comprehensive plan. >> And will your report include any of the concerns that are coming down from the state level? Uh, we're very familiar
with SB80 here, live local, uh, the 399 House bill. Uh, these are all, you know, and we're not the only municipality struggling with these things. So, will any of that language be part of this report? >> Um, if that is at the uh request,
absolutely. We would like to um provide some context on all those policies that are affecting you. >> I would encourage my fellow council members to encourage them to bring that forward since that those are very real challenges that we'll be facing. Y >> So, um those are all my questions. Joe,
Anita, any specific? >> No. >> No. All right. public comments. >> Mr. Reinholds, >> I think he's on the next time. Maybe he's not. >> Speaking now. It's been quite the show and I'm It's getting late. Um, so Matt
Reinholds, uh, Palm Beach County Farm Bureau, speaking about land development. Um, I do want to encourage everybody to kind of going forward if you want to look at things with the assistance of your council and maybe developing commercial
You might find that weird from a Farm Bureau guy, but I'm talking about agricultural supporting businesses, businesses that support agriculture. We have a huge equin interest in locks of Hetchy Groves. We have nurseries and a thousand other things I'm sure um that
need support. So I would like to open up maybe the conversation for a workshop where we can get stakeholders, nursery men, equin and all aspects of agriculture involved around the table with council to maybe come up with a
plan um to work together so we can find solutions instead of um making more problems for a lot of folks because this community is very special and I think open conversations working together to
find the man who makes jumps. He may be considered commercial, but he's supporting the equestrian industry with his jumps or the fence guy, the local fence guy. Who doesn't love a local guy? I got a guy. It's the fence guy down the street. He builds all our paddics. So, I think that approach bringing up that
into your fold of conversation on the recent code enforcement actions is huge. you guys would be the shining star real quick if you could, excuse me, incorporate that procedure. Landscapers, I don't know what happened with landscapers, but all of a sudden they
have a big target on their back. Landscapers need help. Nurseries depend on landscape industry. We actually all do. Even on your own town council website, you have a whole landscape plan. We need landscapers. They are essential workers. We all need them for
every property in this town. So why not have the guys local? So if we could find a balance and putting guard rails in place and of course it has to be measured and regulated so it works. But if I think you guys have the courage to
step outside the box and really put together an a commercial like a supporting businesses we can define what that is with a workshop. That'd be great and help out a lot of folks with small businesses within your community. Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Thanks, man. >> Have to talk really close. >> Yeah, it's recorded. >> Just stay close. Stay. >> Um, so I jumped up for the common card. I wasn't able to speak when I heard that it is what it's going to be. The
Treasure Coast is just advisory. You guys make the decisions. And when it comes to the comp plan, the comp plan amendment should have had a map amendment for things like this. And that included four votes for a map amendment
versus a text amendment, which is only three votes. So there's a huge question there. why you do not have a map amendment that goes and Jesus. Um, when it comes to we only won
commercial ch until tanderine. I think I heard clearly I was at both Saturday and Monday um the jarrett and meeting on Monday. Um I think I heard clearly from the residents that they didn't want any
more commercial. I remember being the speaker for my table and saying that we have more than enough to serve us and surrounding um communities. So we don't need
anymore. We don't need anything more in the areas that are already commercial. Of course, we would love to see something that applies to us. Now when we're studying this area and we are hearing that the people are brought in
have not been told that we are bad. They think that we're just a question. They're being given studies about our water our our growth etc. It comes to question what has been given to them because people in the room they should
have known that. And I know several people on on on the Federal Coast Council. It's they're not bad people, but to come in and not have the proper information, being misguided and being
given this big area, it is questionable. It is. And we need to go and make sure that the study actually has the proper data to deal with. And that Then what comes out of
the study does go in front of the council to decide. It is not as the manager just said what's going to be. It cannot be. That's not how we are represented. And yes, the residents of this town need to
be separated out from all the brick that's coming in and wanting to get the development through. And I don't think we've done a very good job at bringing them out. Everybody was handed colored dots and everybody got to put them on. They were not specific to being part of
this. Thank you. >> Thank you. I was also >> Lawrence, you're gonna have to speak really close. known treasure post for decades and this particular thing is part of that
for the people who are interested in the world this speak now I'm going to speak ahead of time so you have time to look at There there are a few items. Um
we deal with a topic called a transep which is where you have dense urban one side and rural and then agricultural other end of a line. What I would like you guys to do is take um
cut a piece out of your parcel map. Parcel map cut a piece out of that and then attach um the commercial that we have existing and then compare it to what has been put
in the in the presentation and I think you'll see a distinct difference. And um as for Mr. drawing from his table, but he did a drawing concerning that commercial and the tangerine line.
And I think you ought to see what we came up with. Um the additional commercial that that could as my wife said, we we haven't commercial and we're granted too much.
the past councils granted too much and um I don't know how you can back off on that. I don't know how I don't know what tools you have that you would be willing to lose. >> I think I think the population even
though it's tough economic times would probably be willing to pay for taking some of that back understanding what could happen. The other item is the is the housing. Um, I don't know if this thing is a is a
tax credit or housing where you apply to the state application. You get tax credits that you sell. Could be one of those. I don't know. I don't know how many housing units, but I
know we have 700 voters. You can put a a nice against housing, the amount of voters there plus the next housing and bills that Lisa was talking about rolling down that could provide additional support of
the housing. Actually, if you added to this that >> Thank you, Lawrence. >> Okay. >> Thanks, Lauren. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Any other comments? >> No. >> All right. say one response to
>> we prefer not to but >> would like to >> use your microphone. >> I would like to say thank you to Mr. Reinholes if I pronounce your name correctly sir. I am an entrepreneur. I think all people sitting here are entrepreneur. They're real farmers. I
welcome you to come and invest in our town. And um I just want you to know that if people open an egg business, we have something called a open an egg business, get a and then you do real farm business, real equestrian business and then you do all those things that
help farmers. But sir, we have the courage to remain in our means. We don't want to make too much money. No, we know what our needs are. We are not selling our land to commercial. Thank you. >> Okay. Uh, moving on to the presentation
by Mr. Buckley. >> Jessica, thank you for your time. >> Thanks, Jess. >> Hi, Rand. So, here I'm just here to give you an update on Boulevard.
Um, we'll go through just some quick updates and then expand a little bit more. some new board citizens we did stipulations into agreed orders. Basically they agreed that they're in violations. We g them six months to come
into comp. um two phases were postponed, one to figure out the what they think they can do and then we had another proposal. So they have six groups in this pretty
well. Next on the 15th about eight cases all similarly aligned usually legal business and running and then the following month there about 15 or 16 that are teed up. So my job here has become to enforce the code. I'm
picking on everyone equally picking on everyone really picking everyone fair. Uh I know it's not a landscape of focus but they're a target. They're not a target everyone out of all these cases. There's a there's a mixture of everything and quite frankly you can just look on Google and look up and down
and anything that doesn't fit in a just looking at it more than likely going to be an issue that that would um the rationale on giving six months and stipulation is yes we could hash it out in terms of mag
they may give you massive fines and they may give you a very short you've complied or go totally the opposite way in an effort to realize some of these businesses are gumption be or not consideration
we've given no option on board they believe that they're in violation in six months which is we have a resolution because I don't make up you folks make change them change them keep the same keep the same but I'm going to do this
job those rules that are currently written down as they are right now. That's not what I'm doing. I know not like very much but that's probably just a to you know police officer over speed probably don't like them either. They've been
speeding down the road for the last 15 years and just poor kind of like how this is going. Keep in mind some of the some of the other repercussions um you know we talked about income taxation etc. A lot of these legal businesses are public. So in fact
they're a five acre far and has a single family on it but has mass commercial operation. They pay single family tax. It's illegal. They haven't gone through the right channel. Haven't paid fees developing fees any of those types of things. So it also puts burden on the other folks living right
next door that are paying single family tax. They're not putting a burden um on anything that like that. So that's what we're doing or I'm doing with staff. Um I wish everything here was agriculture because then I wouldn't be able to do anything because everything would be
protected. So agriculture is protected. I wish a lot of the landscapers were considered egg because then it would be they're not. So anything that's a stay away from because we want a protective. Um, but with that, I'm sure there's going to be some questions or some from
public talking, but any questions. I'm more than happy to discuss, you know, things moving forward and I know some folks on you. >> Thank you, Paul. You got your light on. >> Yes. Um, so without being specific, of
course. So I from what I was hearing a lot of a lot of the issues were um signs out in the county right away things you there a lot of those issues. There were some you know like you say nurseries that were um housing the landscaping
companies that were not in support of the nursery that was more of a and things like that. Correct. Am I am I kind of hitting it on that nose there? What what seems to be the the common theme is 5 acre fossil starts and it's parody plants and they get an air
classification and property tra that's great but it's more lucrative to make landscape service to be able to park there and mulch etc. So it starts away on the nursery and service grows. Um bear in mind all the structures that
have been put on the site were a exempt at that time. So they've been built subject to no building codes for no because of that. Well that a has slowly been whittleled away to a point we have some 5 acre tractor and 10 acre tractor literally a quarter acre less than a quarter acre is now egg but you've got
all this infrastructure that is there and supporting the landscape services with all products and all the traffic. So to answer your question yes that's what's kind of happened and now it's a it's a kind of check back to reality. one thing is supposed to do is follow that >> and even even a operations have certain
requirements you know D >> you know flood all those that that still so there could be some of those peppered in there as well >> correct and all the >> thank you to add that another thing that we're
also seeing again you look at the C is contract storage bay and lots where empty semis are even we don't know what's in the semis I don't know you can feel we're all everyone's well here there's no sment uh contract storage all materials for
work that they do elsewhere it's supposed to be single family but it's a big storage job a lot of those going on too >> Anita >> hi Ramsey um where are you on the timeline I mean you've been great about giving us reports you know pretty much
monthly by monthly. Um, so where when you originally gave us a timeline, it was a year to two years or where is are you finding that your timeline is extending or shrinking? >> My goal is to get everything essentially
teed up and and done and it's a matter of just enforcing what's been decided by magistrate and whatever's decided by magistrate could be whatever rules are in place at that time. Um, the vast majority I mean it's going to be I mean staff is working hard. I mean within 6
months from now we'll have the vast majority of the big problems at least ran through the system. You know each one of these properties you know you know legally builders you know you have to follow the law problem. >> Do you feel like you've identified most
of the problems? >> Yeah I think we have. I mean obviously there's things that are hidden but >> you know it's no secret you can see it all out there it's very >> open and then also what happens is unfortunately you know native sting each other one
thing he says well what about him that opens >> thank you >> um can I still call you Matt even though we're >> all right Matt so thanks for coming I I I I think that um this was looked at as
this big attack on agg right and it's not um as I sit here I got at least I don't know your situation so I'm not I got three people here that are that have barns or a etc right so it's not and even Todd had an egg a classification
things like that so we're not it's not like we're attacking a we're not we're we're picking a piece of the pie and we're trying to make our town compliant Because right now in our town, we have a a cancer and the cancer is um illegal uses like Ramsay said, whether it's
parking lots, trailer storage, um diesel mechanic shops, things of this nature. So that that's that's kind of the this is just the antithesis of it, right? Did I say that right? You know, I always mispronounce words right. So that so just you know um I I think we're we're
>> we are you know I'm not going to speak for the new guys but I know the three of us are are very committed to kind of moving this town forward and trying to find avenues for different things and you know just right now where we're sitting but this that's where we're at. So it's not like it's not this whole
blanket just we're going after a it's not because the 90% of the town's egg. So >> yeah appreciate you. Yeah, something. >> We have some questions for Mr. Ramsey still. So,
>> hold your thought, please. >> Would you use your mic, please? >> Oh, yes. >> Thank you. >> Sorry, I keep on pushing this. Mr. Buckley, I apologize if I'm asking you the question 101, but for our for my knowledge, what is the goal given to
you? What's your goal for this engagement? >> For this engagement is to Right. But within that broad statement, what is the priority given to you? >> Okay. And in your estimates,
how you have worked with, you're an expert. I saw your bio. You worked with many cities, many towns. On a scale of 1 to 10 in your process on Okchobee, where are you? How much you have accomplished till date? >> Four.
>> Four. >> And for the next few months, do you see focused on Okchobee Boulevard? >> Yes. And no, keep in mind once we're focused on the area, it keeps spreading because everyone keeps saying and turning in other.
>> Okay. So it is it is spreading but you know a lot of this was training training staff and how to process these these situations accurately and quickly and so we are speeding up the process throughation. >> So are you in the phase of collecting new cases or are you are you in the
phase of taking cases and pursuing them to the next level? >> I think for right now we have varsity elected from what you know and I think you got an email earlier today yesterday. >> I think the real big ones. Um, but
again, that just leads leads to more. But the real big ones, hey, anything that you can see on that looks bad, it's more than likely either was heard yesterday or it's been heard in two weeks or next month for the most part.
>> Got it. Okay. What do you need from us? Is there anything that can help you accelerate your process? Okay, we can talk that >> you know maybe some maybe some you know and I can speak Mia in our way for
really are I mean but we we're friendly now right I mean you know >> the only way to go forward is to work together >> you know so I've seen both sides so you know I understand both sides of the coin
Um so you know you guys and I say you guys council figure out with your decisions what you want how you have to go about what's in that book. um figure out how you want this town because there you know for instance a case came on
when we had a hearing Tony showed up Tony they don't know a case mom and pop little show show wants to do some legitimate pay something or not and then they said yeah so home base it's a hey thing give me more detail okay great
let's speak with let's zone let's see if that's something that the town wants it's small it's not 100 different trucks it's not people going all over the county, different counties doing stuff. It's localized here, food trucks, they want to bail and blame, something to that effect. And that's what that's
that's one thing that potentially might fall within the guidelines of what planning to do. It's different than a landscape service with 100 vehicles because 100 vehicles needed for the whole time action period. So that's what I'm trying to get at. I I'll enforce every anything and I'll do the best job
I can at it. Um, you know, repercussions for >> So Mr. Mr. Buckley, if I understood, you are trying to make those businesses be agg or behave like a as they should. Is that correct? >> Not making it experience in this for a
long time of saying, "Hey, the path you're going down, you will never get remotely close to what you think or you know what, you might have a chance, but it's got to be curtailed to this and they have to decide whether they can live with it or not. Soon after the Palm Beach County the you know land of
services there it was a split of area ratio 7030 how how it was done to allow it to impact women. >> Got it. Look Mr. Buckley I I am new on the block here but I don't believe in suspense. So I'm going to share my
policy view very openly. I support what you're doing and I think your bio speaks for itself. Uh I would like to see the report accelerating from four to six to 10 so quickly and then I also would like
to say to the business owners and entrepreneurs we welcome you. Don't think we we want you but be agg follow the guidelines be a real farmer real equestrian if you're a you can do what you wanted to do. We are all ag.
So we hear you. Thank you Joseph. >> Hold on. >> Joe, do you have any questions? >> I need to post a lot. But >> that would be good. Yes. >> Salot for the first time. No, I just I'm agg brother. >> I'm a Okay. I just want you to
>> fine. Right. But I've lived on the proper side of livestock there since I was that that young. So >> $27. Oh, there you go. Okay. Good deal. Okay. >> There you go. So now I know. >> Well, that's all you wanted to say. >> Well, we can discuss it outside of here
after tonight. So, >> I deleted his phone number. >> I believe we're all votified a except for Paul and he's just been here, done that. So, we're all >> doesn't pay to do it. So, >> so Mr. Buckley, I've I've heard the term landscaper, landscapers, landscape
business. What exactly is the landscaper that we're discussing tonight? So the landscape we're discussing tonight is the box truck for the trailer >> talking about landscape maintenance
companies. Yes. Which are expressly prohibited in our code. Thank you. >> Yes. And you you have more cases I believe coming to another magistrate meeting. What's the next one? >> The next
my following month we have two hearings up until >> and I know that the previous council discussed at length things we were doing to protect people's land value and quality of life. And I happen to live
near one of these landscape maintenance companies and we watch the cars rolling in all morning. The rigs rolling out, the rigs coming back and then all the traffic rolling out and maintaining these roads and the impacts as you pointed out when the tax um effects on
those. Um I think that those are real impacts to to the rural lifestyle that is Locka Hache Groves. And I thank you for your time tonight and we'll open for public comment. Paul, you got your light on? >> Yeah, I just got bit on what you were saying. Um I I just want to clarify
because I'm sure you know Facebook's probably going to light up later tonight or tomorrow. Um we're not talking about the guy who has one truck and a trailer with a lawn mower that goes out and cuts yards for a living, right? >> No, we're talk Well, no. You got a
private use, right? We're we're are we talking about the guy with one trailer? >> Well, that's what I'm saying. We're talking about big operations, grand scale operations, not the one guy with the one truck, you know.
>> Well, I know we got to train. So, if that's if if that's something we need to address, I mean, because if I have a landscape business and it's just me and my one truck, you know, I'm just I got you, Matt. I got you, Matt. So I I just you know maybe that's some
direction we need to look at you know defining some stuff or send it before ULDC or whatever you know in the future because I mean you know it's kind of kind of silly say that we can't you know work out of our house right I don't know it's just something to think about >> I think we have a residential enterprise
for that >> landscape truck one truck with a trailer home looking at looks like single family house looks feels actually looks like when I drive by looks for the most part. Right. >> Right. >> 15 trucks on a doesn't look like a single thing. 20 trucks doesn't drive
by. So yeah, it does come to numbers. What's that breaking point? >> You know, it's a common sensical breaking point, but it's different for every other person. So, you know, >> it's essentially at zero and the time and all manpower to go after one truck
one of the day >> it's the big one is big ones, you know, you can see. >> So, yeah. says maybe it's something in the future we need to address. >> All right. um public comments on this look that
>> I'm circling back um trying to find out like there definitely be guard rail the place we all agree as a producers that we need customers and we need support from services like having a rural business supporting element in the code
that's you know that would be amazing for a lot of folks that support the people who live here and in the town. So if you find that balance like if you want to circle back to landscapers, everybody needs a landscaper, but all you are a necessity and the nursery is huge
on the eastern part of our account all nurseries. So nurseries live and die by landscaper buying their marriage. It's very hard just like you know you know horse people need manure removal you know without a manure
removal you guys know you got a good manure removal guy you are in a world trouble >> literally a lot of people don't understand all the aspects that come across my desk >> and when you talk about nurseries you
talk about horses we have we have manure we have you know that need to be installed. We have trucks, um, you know, we have equipment coming and going. We just have to find a balance. And I think the balance have the community come together. We'll find what that balance
is. We're like, yeah, like Mr. Ramsey said, you know, yeah, I'm not crazy out there, but we all get there was you guys did allow >> I don't know if you guys are aware of that.
>> Prior to 2017, Lance Ste was allowed that 2017 in 2017 changed but it was never a so these people have been running their businesses >> and then all of a sudden they wake up and business is changing
>> so they have you know whatever mix they have landscape services and nurseries I can't speak much today about just the landscapers because the only land represent nurseries who have a exemptions who have offer installation
and landscape services even that's who really I'm focusing on today people with a exemptions who have an accelerate use of the land those people I think there's definitely some we've been successful in the past
with doing a bot approach having some guard rail in place I mean I think everybody be open to that to make it reasonable but there's going a step further having that rule based business where it's not it doesn't fit necessarily that like
fence got but he's small and you know he's on this acre and he will have trucks and equipment you should be a path for him to survive not have to leak your account these people you know if they can't make a living they have to sell you know that's another
>> Thank you Valerie any more public comments >> no more public comment Okay, thank you. I'm sure we'll be hearing more on this matter. So, this >> Excuse me.
>> I I believe what they're asking for is to schedule a a workshop to talk with council separately. That's what I heard. Is that something that we want to entertain at this time or is that something that we want to um >> I think >> entertain at another time >> two workshops from now because we already kind of
>> I I think that >> one maybe >> goes counter to the direction of previous council and code enforcement on Okachobee. Um I think that's something that we will certainly be discussing but I'm not sure we're ready to do any kind of workshop
with those entities at this time. I I could be wrong. >> Do we want to add it to our agenda? Our next agenda as something to consider? >> What are we considering a workshop? Are we considering land use change? What are you proposing? >> Considering whether land whether there
is a common ground or a way to include landscaping or whether no we want to stick to the code that was set in 2017 or do we want to just make a decision now of no we don't. I mean I'm just I'm just asking a question. We want to just leave it hanging or do we want to resolve the issue is I guess what I'm
>> what I'm >> Is there code from 2017 because that's not my understanding. >> Um I >> do you have to >> I think I think I think there is I think the u uh time frame for the absolute ban
on landscapers does go to to that time frame. >> You you're going to have to clarify. There was not a ban prior to 2017. >> There's a history um in the town on whether landscape services were allowed
or not allowed. Um I think there were several variations. I'm not sure if things passed or didn't pass, but my recollection is that the last um ordinance was from the time 2017 time period. >> But we don't have that ordinance
codified. What? >> No. know we have that ordinance codified. That is the ordinance that says you can't have be a landscape in town >> and and words matter, right? So landscape maintenance services is what we're really talking about. We're not talking about landscapers. We're not talking about nurseries. We're talking
about people driving maintenance rigs to go offsite and maintain people's properties. That that's what's expressly prohibited. >> That's expressly prohibited. Yes. >> But ancillary uses are are allowed. There is there's an interpretation
um with respect to to nurseries that nurseries can have an ancillary business to support um their primary purpose of being nursery uh and have a landscaping service associated with that.
>> And is that in our code or is that a broader interpretation? That's a broader interpretation >> from where >> um I think the interpretation came from uh the previous planner for the town.
>> So not a state statute, >> not a state statute. No, it's an interpretation of the >> So it's an interpretation. It's not a hard and fast rule. It's sort of >> correct. That's my recollection of how >> it's sort of like a typical or common. So that's it's basically undefined.
>> Yeah. Yeah. >> Okay. Well, >> I mean, we could discuss it at the next workshop if we have time and have have a conversation. >> I I I can tell you that even with that interpretation, there are not defined boundaries
um as to how much has to be a nursery operation versus uh how much can be a landscaping service. you heard dialogue um between Matt and and Ramsay about the concept of 7030 and those kind of things
that has uh it's my understanding been implemented in some areas of the county. Um but we don't have that level of specificity. >> Great. Thank you sir. >> Mike Sam
current president. So back on the 2017 you guys had an ordinance. It was 2017 which allowed landscapers in the roads and then in that same year it was code 2017-15
where landscaper maintenance was prohibited. So I would like you guys to revise it and try to go back to 2017 008 and then change it to put a ordinance on how many vehicles are allowed
that could you discuss on the workshop that we decided >> I'm sorry 2017 00 >> 8 and what was the subsequent one >> in the same year so I was the other One of the council members didn't like the
landscape and they tried to get back to the member. Oh, >> well that that never happens. >> But that's all I have. >> Okay. Thank you, Mr. Sans. Any other public comments? >> No, ma'am. >> No. Okay. Thank you. Thank you for bearing with
all the uh agenda changes. Um I think it when we get to council comments, we can talk about what's going to come forward. Manish, you did have another comment. Um I would like to thank FNGA and uh I would like to say we are not ready for the workshop yet. We have told Mr.
Buckley to go ahead and go after the cases and we are sending confusing signals here. I don't think we are prepared for having that workshop at this minute. >> Anita, >> I'd just like to say that they signed a stipulation agreement and they the clock unfortunately the clock is running on
them. they only have a certain amount of time to comply or not comply and we're talking about putting people out of business or so I think that to be fair we need to either put this on our next agenda or schedule a workshop. We need
to come to an agreement so that they know whether to sell their property and look for other locations or whether there might be some way that we can come to some kind of a compromise and or whether you guys just want to take a vote and give them a hard note tonight. I mean I don't know. It's up to you, Madame Mayor, but I don't think it's
fair when they've signed a stipulation agreement that they're on the clock to come to some kind of resolution for us to put it off to some time undetermined. >> Mr. Buckley, you want to speak to a stipulation agreement that she's discussing because I'm not aware of
>> the stipulation whereby the board agrees that they invited them compliant. We've done that in a bunch of portions because they want the opportunity to come and speak with
council and see if there's a way to change them. So that's what we've done. try best for me to try our best accommodate everyone. Yeah. Um, >> so we're talking six months, 180 days.
>> Okay. >> Fines, but yes, 180 days. >> So, we're not talking 30 days, 60 days. This is 180 days out. >> Okay. >> That was my 180 days. when if you can pull it off top of your head when or beginning of the month or whatever. When
was the like the first one? >> Yeah. >> Yesterday. So that's the very first one. So it's six months from from now. >> I think it's ample time to have a workshop later. >> The compliance dates are October 6th. October >> Joe, he's he's he's giving you this the
floor. >> You may have said this earlier, but with the 180 days that we're talking about, and I did watch the meeting yesterday. Uh where did the 180 come from? Whose idea was that? Just >> it it was we thought the approximate time to speak to new council to
potentially make this code change. >> You said we thought just curious who's we sell the city attorney is very maint >> yeah it's it's a it's a stipulation so it is subject to negotiation by all
parties. Okay. >> Yeah, they were signed willingly important. >> Yeah, there's just when I was watching the meetings yesterday and I I saw the 180 180 and it was mentioned a couple of times. I just thinking in the back of my head if I had a chance to ask, you know, where where did that number come from? So, no, I I appreciate that. Thank you,
>> Mr. Buckley. And and residents, we are new. We just arrived on the scene. You started some process code enforcement. Now, these organizations are under code enforcement and we are put in a time closet here. I'm not understanding right
now. So here is my suggestion. This is my personal view. We have these parties. If I understand you are in code violation this is the code you you knew this code when you bought the land here and yes things
changed but I don't know if there is somebody proactively reached out or not but it seems like now when the code was enforced suddenly everybody is coming to us for this. So here is my suggestion. This is my view. Please go ahead with your code
enforcement. The parties who are affected and you are represented well. Come up with your solution. Come up with a proposal. Uh we are not going to I am not of the view that come to the workshop and talk openly. Talk about what I don't have anything to review.
Come up with your standards. You have lawyers. You have resources. You are lobbyist. You have all the resources on your hand. So please come up with the best practices that you think should be the compromise or solution. Present it to us. Give us an opportunity to review.
We have to talk to our experts. We love businesses. We love green businesses. We want to help everybody. But at the same time, you know, some bis some people next to you, they they didn't do any of that, right? They could have you know
how many people called me to park their truck on my property and collect money? Nobody other people didn't do this. So we respect you. We will hear you. But we need some initiative to come from you to say what it is. And you shouldn't be involved in any such negotiation. You
are in code enforcement. You have no business getting involved in giving that sort of deal to them. So I would like to in this is my personal opinion. The code enforcement people should have no direct contact on this particular topic. You do your job and work with the magistrate.
you >> with that a little bit >> my job is to >> Yes sir for right now I'm for the >> yes >> but I'm saying don't be don't don't give inputs in the in the solutions
for they going to propose things then I'm going to give you the good and the bad of whatever has been proposed from you folks for the landscape because I've been through it so if you want that I can use it >> no absolutely I'm saying is you will work as a Chinese war and this is my personal opinion. Let them come with
this solution. We will discuss internally. We'll take your opinion. We'll take the opinion of our experts. But you shouldn't be involved with any such solution. >> Well, say that was the case like going to continue to proceed, treat everyone equally the same. Correct.
>> It's going to continue to be either a stipulation at six months or we're going to have a full-blown in front of it's going to be business as usual. no matter what I've given the time given the time in which to accomplish. >> Um, Councilman, one of the things I
think that you have to to understand is in code enforcement, one of the things that a code enforcement has to do is it has to tell you how the violator how they can come into compliance. Um, Mr. Buckley has
code enforcement experience. He also has very significant planning experience. That's really what he is is he's a he's a planner and he's an attorney, but he's a a planner. So, he understands the entirety of the the code. That's one of the great advantages of having him in
this, not just as a hammer, but somebody who understands where the potential solutions are. he's not going to advocate for anything other than the code, but the solution to the code uh or the code case may be propose a code
amendment. Um and so part of processing and analyzing that code amendment is something that we would like to and is specifically contemplated within Mr. Buckley's um contract of representation. I just want to make that clear. Just as
my expertise and my involvement goes to all of those issues as well. >> Now, as a lawyer, you understand the conflict of interest that I just mentioned, right? You cannot be on both sides enforcing code on one hand and also negotiating the the so-called new deal on the other hand.
>> No, no, on this policy matter, we will take his input. We will, this is my view again, we will take his input, Mr. Buckley, but you cannot enter into any business with these clients. You cannot take >> Oh, he's he's not he's not you mean as as far as representing them? Absolutely.
Absolutely not. Absolutely not. negotiating negotiating matters on behalf of the the town, giving the town advice as to whether this is a reasonable compromise and those kind of things and advising the council
>> on on the issues and the potential >> um positives and negatives of anything he's absolutely going to do. And so he will be interacting with those folks and negotiating with them or you want to say it negotiating against them.
>> Mr. Bleley, are you a part of WGI big company? >> No, >> not what when did you leave that organization? >> What other organizations you work with that may directly or indirectly may recruit organizations like that? Do you
work with anybody else? because I saw on your resume and WGI was mentioned. >> Yes. No, I work in a different county now and I do in Palm Beach County I do represent a post and help them through nothing. >> So in Palm Beach County, you take the
clients on the other side and represent them as clients. >> I take I can call clients that are struggling to get through the postal classification process and I do that. Yes. >> And do you in that regard do you work with any of the people sitting here? >> No.
>> Good. All right. >> Any other questions? Mr. Buckley, on the cases that are coming forward, how many of them are these particular issues? I believe you said there's 15 scheduled
>> landscape services. >> Yeah. Of those 15 cases that are scheduled or have happened, how many of them are Okay, thank you. So out of 15, you're you're talking less than a third.
>> I mean, it could be a whole lot more. >> Sure. Of course. >> Welcome to the party. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. All right. Any other questions? No. No. All right. I think that not to beat a
dead horse. Poor horse. Okay. I I'm still I'm still not clear that we came to any resolution of where we're at moving forward with the issue. >> Excellent presentation and that's it. >> Okay. All right. Thanks. That's all I >> to answer your question. >> Thank you, Paul. >> Sorry.
>> All right. That brings us to the additional item 7A uh regarding uh the town manager operational and and performance matters. So, I would like to bring this item forward
and make a motion that we can then discuss. Excuse me. We'll also pass out a copy of this motion. It is extensive. I apologize. Pass that down. I would like to make the
motion that effective immediately, the town manager, Francine Romelia, is placed on paid administrative leave pending the report and review of a formal investigation into ongoing operational and performance matters. While on administrative leave, the town
manager shall be relieved of all duties and responsibilities of the town manager position and have and shall have no authority to act on behalf of the town in any official capacity. Shall not enter town facilities or town owned property. shall not contact, communicate
in any form, including email, text, verbal, written, or through any third party, or attempt to direct or influence any town employees, contractors, vendors, charter officers, or elected officials regarding town business except through the designated contact person
identified below. Shall not access or use any town-owned equipment, email accounts, systems, documents, or property without the prior written approval of the acting town manager. shall return all town property, keys, electronic devices, passwords, documents, etc. in her possession or
control to the acting town manager within 24 hours of adoption of this motion. shall preserve any town related information or communications, including those on personal devices, and upon formal request by the independent investigator or special counsel, produce
such materials as relevant to the investigation, and shall direct all communications regarding her employment or any town business exclusively to the designated contact person identified below. Any violation of these terms shall constitute additional grounds for
termination with cause under section 8B of the employment I'm sorry 13B of the employment agreement and applicable provisions of the town charter. Valerie Oaks is designated as the sole contact person for the town manager during the period of administrative leave. All
inquiries or communications from the town manager must be directed exclusively to Valerie Oaks. The current town attorney is formally recused from any and all participation in or advice concerning this personnel matter, including but not limited to any
discussion, drafting, executive session, or vote related to the town manager's employment status. He shall have no further involvement in this matter. Valerie Oaks is appointed as acting town manager effective immediately upon adoption of this motion. Pursuant to sections 42D and 43C of the town
charter, she shall exercise all powers and duties of the town manager position during this interim period and shall receive additional compensation as the council may later determine by separate motion. And I apologize, Gabriella Crosdale, Crosdale, I'm not sure how to say that, is act is appointed as acting
town clerk effective immediately upon adoption of this motion. All town employees, including charter officers, department heads, and supervisory staff, are directed to comply with the following during the period of the town manager's administrative leave. Continue to perform the regular duties and
responsibilities under the direction and supervision of the acting town manager, Valerie Oaks. Direct all questions, concerns, requests for direction, or operational matters exclusively to the acting town manager or through the normal chain of command as reestablished by the acting town manager. No employee
shall seek or accept direction from the town manager Francine Romelio on any town related matter. Refrain from discussing the town manager's administrative leave status the pending investigation or any related personnel matters with the town manager except as specifically authorized by the acting
town manager. Refrain from any communication with the town manager regarding operations, personnel contracts or other official matters. Any such communication initiated by the town manager must be immediately reported to the acting town manager. maintain the confidentiality of all town records,
discussions and information related to this matter in accordance with Florida public records law, the town's policies, and any instructions from the acting town manager. The acting town manager is directed to return to the next town council meeting for a special meeting or a special meeting called within two
weeks with a minimum of three qualified options for independent special counsel investigators. Each option shall include the name and qualifications of the firm or individual, confirmation of no prior relationship with town manager, current town attorney, or any current council
member, the proposed scope of work to include a factf finding investigation into ongoing operational and performance matters, a cost estimate, and a timeline for written report. That is the motion. So the motion is on the floor. If I
might comment on the motion with respect to one item in particular here. Um, you've got item number four. Uh, Gabriela Lostdale is appointed as acting town clerk effective immediately upon
adoption of this motion. Um, if you were to pass this motion, um, the town clerk reports to the acting town manager. um and that the appointment of the town
clerk is not a function of uh the town council. That is a function of the town manager whoever it happens to be at that point in time. Um I will also note um that
there is um as you all know or maybe you don't know um in order to terminate uh the town manager uh pursuant to her contract it is a 4 to one vote. Um you do have
the ability to suspend her based on a 3 to2 vote I think. Um but uh it would require a 4 to one vote. Um and I am not sure especially in light of the uh
pending retirement um that it will be an effective use of the town's money um to engage in this process. that's ultimately up to to you.
Um and uh I just think that um the ultimate result of any any charge under the contract to terminate the the manager if that was the upshot of the
report requires um that the manager be given 30 days notice. That's with or without cause. Um, so you're into a situation that you can see you're kind of just burning burning time. The manager does have um there's a provision
in the manager's contract that you can terminate without cause um and that triggers a 20week uh severance period. Um, and if that is your ultimate goal to
u terminate the the manager prior to September 30th, um, what and I don't uh want to be or need to be the person involved in the negotiations, you you might direct one of you to engage in
such negotiations. I offer that >> and if you pass the motion, I will respect uh the motion and not offer any further advice on this matter. >> Great. >> I wish I do wish to make a comment before you proceed with a council vote.
>> Just for the public record, I just want to lay some things out plainly and professionally. My contract remains in effect through September 30th. This evening, I formally provided the contractually required notice of my intent to retire at the conclusion of
that contract. I did that deliberately deliberately and in good faith so this council would have sufficient time to consider succession and transition planning at the May meeting consistent with the council's stated desire to review contracts six months in advance.
I am not seeking an an extension. I am not resisting change. I have already announced my intention and I am committed to fulfilling my responsibilities professionally through the remainder of the agreement. If you
wish to discuss an accelerated transition, I'm open to those discussions provided that they're consistent with the terms of my contract and handled in a manner that is orderly, professional, and respectful on all sides. My goal through this process is
stability, continuity, and a smooth transition that best serves the interests of the population and the community. It does no good for any of us to fight. And after last year, having gone through the various different
investigations and supposed letters and so on and so forth, they were not reflective of anything that would rise to the level of the things that you can fire me for cause in my contract. So, I think that this would be an, as Mr. Kurt
said, extra time and extra money on the town's behalf. I'm willing to work something out where you don't have to spend the money and I would happily go. But I feel like the whole story is for
me to go, for you to not suffer any more wasted time, and for nobody to have any kind of unpleasant continued dialogues about things that are not necessarily
representative of what's happened here. So, I'm happy to go ahead and talk to you about an accelerated transition that doesn't cause you to have to spend any money and go on any further witch hunts
or cause any unnecessary disruption of work at the staff level. None of these things will be good for the town. I totally respect that it is your absolute right to go ahead and decide you don't want me as your manager anymore.
However, there's a process lab within my contract and looking to find something isn't going to help us. I will work with you to leave and you know, I want to save money. I want to have everybody
just have as graceful uh a departure as we can. I've done my best here and you know that's all I was trying to do by giving you my retirement letter, giving you time, trying to follow the rules, trying to go ahead and do right by
everyone. I haven't done anything that's going to rise to that level that you think you might find in spending this extra money. >> Well, to that to that end, um I am happy to amend my motion to put you on
administrative leave with pay. Uh, and everything else stays the same except we, uh, agree to an accelerated leave. We can appoint someone to negotiate what that looks like tonight. And, uh, everything else would stay the same
other than hiring a special counsel. >> Will you allow me to do one thing? Take my personal effects out of my office and say goodbye to my staff. And I >> We can certainly recess the meeting and do that, but I don't have a second yet, and I would like to discuss it. Uh
again, a dignified process. I 100% agree with and I do believe that there are issues that are in the best interest of the town that this is the right step for that and I would like to hear that from my other council members. If we get a second on this motion as amended to uh
accelerate the leave uh appoint a negotiate negotiator and remove special uh investigator counsel from this motion. I guess let's look can we since my lights on can we go down what exactly >> second first >> oh um
>> I will I will second >> but it's amended that's >> I will second this motion with amendment and propose although I will still support it that this only happens if town manager relinquishes her duty today in other words the the acting town
manager comes into power effective immediately she transitions I think my comment is >> my light was on first >> okay Go ahead. >> Okay. So, we have a second. >> We're filibustering. >> We have a second. >> Paul, proceed.
>> Okay. So, so what what do we when I was stating this earlier was, you know, I I and I've said to a couple different people, you know, um the drama that happened last year, let's just call it drama, right? and all the the the goings on with the the no offense
because a bad spot, but the special investigation and the the bickering back and forth and the and the name calling from the you know that that's the version of us that's out there in the world is pretty terrible. So, you know, I think the amicable and most
fiscal responsible way to do this is the way to do it. So, what what are we revising is just so that's all I wanted before I seconded your motion. And I wanted to what exactly we're revising? >> Are you removing the final item of having the acting director uh bring back
three qualified options for independent counsel? >> So we're moving number three >> and investigation. Everything else stays the same. And then we're adding an accelerated leave >> and a negotiator. >> Number four, because we don't appoint
the town clerk, right? >> Well, yes. that would that would be under the purview of the acting manager, >> right? >> And then add negotiating accelerated leave and appointing a negotiator to that process.
I do want everyone to understand this falls in the provision of my contract for termination without cause which gets to be characterized as a retirement which I'm willing to retire as soon >> I think that can be negotiated.
>> Well, it's in the contract. So, thank you. >> There is constructive termination in the contract. There's termination with cause. There's termination without cause. My intent was not to phrase this in a termination. That is where this has been taken. This was an investigation
into operational and performance matters. This is now segueed into a negotiation for termination that will be determined by who negotiates it >> and my contract. So I thank you >> and your contract. I don't deny that you
have very extensive contract. >> Paul, do you have any other comments? >> No, that's I just want to make sure that I had all the corrections because we >> All right. 30-day notice carrying >> if you fire without cause. That is true. The termination with cause does not
require a 30-day notice. Resignation is also not a 30-day notice. >> Right. So, >> and and what is there? There's not on the floor. As I understand the motion, it is not a motion to terminate. It is a motion to
negotiate an accelerated um leave of and allow probably allow you to uh resign, but that's subject to uh to negotiation. So um I think that
requires a 3 to2 vote. Um and you know if it if it is unsuccessful um it would be brought back uh for further deliberation of the council and whatever is worked out is going to have to be brought back to further
deliberation of the council. Um I don't think you have yet incorporated uh council uh member Sud's um recommendation with respect to uh the immediiacy of it. And I don't I'm just
suggest I would suggest that um we do allow if you you do allow a grace period where she can come in tomorrow and pick up her things and all that kind of stuff. >> We can discuss that. But the motion is in that it's effective immediately >> as far as the suspension. Yes.
>> Correct. Joe, do you have any comments on the motion on the floor? >> I will save my reserve any comments and just um save it for vote. >> Okay. Mr. Council member Sud, do you have any other further comments? >> No, I think the the town has voted for a
major change. Clearly the leadership town has lost faith in the leadership and we have to take very important critical decision very fast and I would request town manager for this to be a graceful
and peaceful and positive experience to consider uh immediate uh solution and I I am all for good faith and good relationships but the change has to happen right this Thank you, Council Member Kane.
>> Yeah, I just wanted to ask the question, has anybody asked Valerie whether she's willing to be the interim town manager? >> I think I just I just want to make sure that that's, you know, it is part of the motion. So, I just want to make sure that she's willing to
fill the position. >> Valerie answers if I may. You know, part of one of the responsibilities I had from the previous council was succession planning, >> right? So, we've been discussing, you know, from the shovel the shovel man on up to the manager, you know, over the
past couple months and whatever. Um, and part of the the succession flowchart or whatever would be that whoever is the town clerk would be because we don't have an assistant manager, right? So, whoever the town clerk is would be the as long as they're qualified to be the acting manager until such
>> I'm not saying she's not qualified, but she still may not want to. was part of that convers I'm not going to answer for her but she was part of that conversation so that that succession plan is in there >> just you know so everybody's aware >> okay thank you Paul >> I would like to ask >> I mean can you answer my question first
before you ask question >> so for the record the town manager actually promoted me to assistant town manager/town clerk back in January um just so that way there is a plan for succession um however do I have any
intentions of being the full-time town manager? Absolutely not. But during a period of transition, I will step in as it is my obligation in that capacity. >> Thank you, Valerie. >> Thank you, Bon. >> All right. Any public comments?
>> Mr. McClendon. I thought it couldn't make it any crazier. You can't pick and choose what you were voting for. You can't say, "Well, you know, they didn't vote for they voted for me, so we should change everything. We should stop paving a road. You know,
we should get rid of the code enforcement." You can't you can't pick and choose this that this is what they vote, right? That people voted for you to leave and do the right thing. I had conversations with people in the past several weeks about some of the craziness that might happen. And I said,
"There's not a single council member sitting up there that would vote to remove the town manager immediately. There's no way. No way that would happen." And now we have at least one so far. How many times have we seen businesses
get bought and the new owner comes in and fires everybody and they're going to fix everything and they run it right down the toilet. They bought the business because it was running fairly well and they want to come in and change everything because they want to make an extra 2%. Think about what you're doing there. You
don't even you barely even know where the bathroom is at this point. Get to know Francine. Find out what the inner workings are of the town before you make some crazy decisions. Don't try to be the hero. I understand you made some promises to people. But come on, let's
let's be reasonable here. Let's think about these things before we make drastic changes. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Grie. So, you're doing exactly what people have asked you to do. You're taking steps and you are changing and doing
exactly what you're supposed to be doing in this situation. People have wanted to change. People are tired of the games and mistruths and the and the lies that have occurred with staff and the town manager.
You do have the ability to put her on leave. You do have if she wants to negotiate a an early dismissal, that's something that you can do as well. But don't let anybody make you feel like you're not doing what people want you to
do because This is exactly what discounts. >> Thank you, >> Miss Betts. >> Any other public comments while we're waiting for Miss Betts who put in her comment card? >> No.
So, >> I have the feeling you're going to vote. So, I just want to say it's been an honor to work here. I've enjoyed everything I did. I love most of the residents and I've enjoyed some of the council people I've worked with. The staff that you have is best in class. I
wish everybody the greatest of success. I have hopes for a wonderful future for the town and for everyone in it. >> All right. It looks like she's made her way out of the restroom. That's not very going to be like the whole room is
looking at me. That's crazy. >> She was probably timing it accordingly. want to bring to everyone's attention here the reason why a lot of things may be coming up. I personally have been trying to get
information for over three weeks. I've asked under the sun sunshine law for public information. I got part of it three weeks after I initially asked, but I didn't get the
rest. Okay. I asked for how many households are in actually lots of hatchy roads. I know what I'm paying in taxes for my garbage and my yard waste
and all of it. I'm assuming that everyone else that has a household is probably paying the same amount. I've been told there's 3,400 households. I'm sure that's more
population than it is households. I'm sure nobody right now can tell me how many households were taxing. Okay. and the argument that's happening on code.
I've lived out here 45 years. I've watched a lot of places that were really dumps. I've seen a lot of people that were here long before I was ever here. that got got a problem because quote unquote
>> they had a nursery or they had a mechanical business, earth diggers, um bulldozers, whatever. >> Okay, I've seen them help the town. I've seen people try and roof them out. there
is some point of being loyal to the area that you live in and I should be able to get the information as to how much we're paying whether it's monthly or we yearly for our um people
that we're employing for the town. There are 30 people working for our little tiny town and they're being paid 1 million $972,000. That is what I've got for information.
Now, that doesn't say anything at all about the money that you have in coming coming in to support what you're doing. Now, I can go on the internet and I can play with that thing and I can look to see what we're doing
out for each category. And I could see in some respect we're in the red. Well, why are we in the red? Is it because of double accounting in what I'm looking at? I don't know.
But being a person in this area that's paying taxes and under the sunshine law, I should be able to get this information and not be waiting 3 weeks to get it. >> Thank you. Thank you.
All right. No more public comment. All right. So, we have a motion on the table. Does it need to be spelled out again? I don't believe we do. So, all those in favor? Yes. >> I >> I >> opposed.
>> Motion passes 32. Uh and then uh I would leave it up to the acting town manager to if she wants to schedule a time to visit with staff. I would leave that up to you um to to handle that. And we need to appoint a negotiator um as a as a
next motion. >> Sure. That's wise. Everybody that comes up to the podium complains about one person negotiating. I'm just saying I just want to be fully transparent. >> Well, we could we could hire a special counsel to do the negotiation. >> Hire a special counsel. I'm just saying
there's there's some misconception about how things are actually done and procedures, etc. So, you know, that's that's all I'm saying. >> All right. I I would suggest that whatever um
uh negotiation is arrived at that it be reviewed by an independent attorney that we could um discuss at a future meeting of who that might be. So um do we have a motion to appoint a negotiator
with the town manager on accelerated leave? May I suggest um that your motion already says that there is an a legal independent? >> No, we removed that. >> Oh, we moved that. Okay. that.
So I think the just to keep it independent and u transparent I would suggest using part of that section where you had suggested hiring an independent legal expert who does this for there are
people who do this for a living with no prior relationships with town manager current attorney or current council and our current town attorney now cannot no longer interfere in this matter anyways and I think we should probably in my
humble view and I'm open for it one person or I would say let a person with that legal credentials with experience handle that piece uh overall and then present it to us. So would you like to make a motion to have the acting man
manager bring us back that? >> Yes. I would like to I would like to make a motion that our acting town clerk >> manager >> acting town manager I'm sorry I have to start saying manager now acting town manager brings forward
uh three such legal experts or law firms who are qualified to make to do so those sort of employment negotiations and are familiar with the law and the contract Oh, >> can you shorten that down to an actual
motion? >> Would you help me say that? Why don't you do? >> So, I I would say that we would >> we would instruct the acting town manager to bring back three independent special counsels for uh proposed
negotiation for accelerated leave um with the town manager, current town manager. >> If we wait till motion there so we got to wait for discussion, right? >> Does that work? Yes, I have a second. >> So, we have a second discussion.
>> Discussion. Go ahead, Paul. >> Well, did he make the motion or he made the motion? I'm conf >> I made the motion. >> Okay. So, I mean, just, you know, grasp of the straws. Attorneys are like 500 to $1,000 an hour, right? So, I mean, generally speaking, am I hitting the
mark? >> Probably. So, I mean, like you said, wouldn't it be bene just easier for us to some one of us to negotiate that with her and then have it reviewed instead of paying three, four, $5,000. >> Okay.
>> I'm just I'm just saying that, you know, to me that seems like a >> kind of like it was last time the contract was negotiated and then reviewed by all of council. >> Yeah, it could be a you know, we can >> Well, that came up with a lot of criticism as you have pointed out. I know but I'm just saying that you know because we have a list of attorneys that
we have in case we need special counsel correct then we >> believe we do together >> we do not have any special counsel retained at this point in time the >> now we got to pay retain >> on the agenda you have um Serotaa um to
be retained with respect to foreclosure matters >> and does would we serot be qualified to do something like this I would sure a firm of that size probably has an employment law branch. Do >> We sotas certainly could handle that
assignment. >> I'm saying that's because we already have a retainer paid with correctly. Correct. Correct. >> No. Well, we would if we approved that motion. >> That's that's what I'm saying. We don't currently have one. I thought you said >> So, the motion is to bring forward special counsel for that. If you're comfortable appointing uh
>> So, either way, we're going to >> council member to do that. >> You're you're going to pay somebody to review it for legal sufficiency. Yes. >> Right. Well, it's but most attorney it's not going to be okay. Well, I'm going to charge you this much. It's going to be I need a retainer because it might take this much. So,
>> right. >> I couldn't speak to that. I'm not >> call Esquire and he's going to go, "Oh, yeah. It's going to be 300 bucks to review it." Right. Yeah. That's where I'm going. Are we going to have to pay a retake? Do you see where I'm going, >> Paul? The town new town manager, acting town manager come up with suggestions.
We don't know yet. And if it is an investment, it is an investment. >> Having a conversation. Yeah. Yeah. No, I'm saying my point is >> I got I I got it. >> Yeah. Yeah, >> I got it. I'm just asking. So, you know, so >> everyone's entitled to an opinion. >> Yes, we know this
>> and ask questions. >> Oh, well, doesn't >> any other any other comments on that? Public comments on that? >> No. >> So, we need a voter consensus. you're going to be a 20ome towards the work. I mean, it's just a
level of everybody. >> No, I get that. I just was going to compare. Sorry, I didn't mean that. I'm saying you're not really that's not money out there, right? um in so I would see that you get proper
counsel for this particular field and not some bullish. Um the other thing as you're looking for the next person why I came up is that I think you just heard
is hired by management. I think in the future you may want to go adjust some of the powers that manage the management seat has possessed. I don't mean possess like a ghost that's the management has and reel some of that
back to the council to the people that are elected. >> Yeah. >> So I think that it's really really important to feel that you know you've got some sort of control over what's happening in this town with the elected officials. Um I think that's sort of
where we've gone astray. Uh it's one of the ways we've gone astray and I think it's very important to figure out what the responsibility of management is going forward and what is the control and the hiring and therefore
firing of staff etc. What are the towers? there's something more in the agenda later on like the water control district. These kind of things, you know, need to be brought in and brought
back to people that we elect, not people that are hired. >> That's great. >> Thank you. >> So, we have a motion to bring forward uh three special counsel options to uh the next council meeting and a second. All
those in favor? I >> I I >> opposed. Opposed. >> Oh, I said I. >> Oh, okay. I'm sorry. I didn't. >> Yeah, because I mean I mean bringing three for three for four. I was just trying to clarify, you know, like are we
going to have to get this guy a $10,000 retainer and he's only going to cost us 2,000. You know what I'm saying? That's all I was trying to clarify what our assumption was. >> Will you get your money back? >> Yeah. talking to you're talking to a woman who's worked with a lot of attorneys.
So, all right. Uh, I would like to take a 10-minute recess to uh change the staff deis. So we're >> Madame Mayor, >> council member, we're not back live. >> Oh, that's true. But we're being
reported doesn't >> Oh, she did turn it back on. Yeah, I think it's always >> okay >> thank you for stepping in. >> Okay, no problem. >> Ditto. Okay, we have staff in place
and calling the meeting back to order with the consent agenda. Um, we uh we usually allow items to be pulled from the consent agenda at this time before approving it. Uh, is there anyone that would like to pull any agenda items from
consent? Mr. Sud, you're first. Oh, yes. I understand that council member Kaine um had to go for family call. So, do we need to reflect on the record that she is not? >> Yes, it's been
>> it's been noted for the record. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. So from consent agenda, I would like to propose uh item number 12 be pulled because I would like to discuss the format. >> I think it's already been pulled. >> Okay, good.
>> Then 16 uh to be pulled >> that was removed totally totally from the agenda. Okay. >> So I'm sorry 12 and 16 12 was moved to the regular agenda by staff and item 16 was pulled at the beginning of the meeting by staff >> as was 19
>> as was 19. Perfect. That aligns with what I have here. Thank you. >> Okay. >> So, it's 13, 14, 15, and >> well, 11 is still in there.
>> 13, 14, 15. Currently, 17, 18, and 20. Uh, Council Member Coleman, do you have any changes you'd like to make to consent? I would like to move items 17 and 20 to regular also, and remove them from consent. second. >> So,
>> we have a second for that. So, that leaves in the consent items 11, 13, 14, 15, and 18. So, I um do I have a motion to approve consent with those items removed. >> So, move.
>> Thank you. Uh second on that. >> Second. >> All right. We have a motion by council member Coleman and a second by council uh Vice Mayor Sud. All those in favor? I >> I >> passes 4 Z. That brings us to
recessing the town council meeting and call to order dependent water dis control district um district's regular agenda item 21. Uh Kenthia, do you feel confident in reading that resolution for us?
>> All right, go for it. >> You have to talk really close. A resolution of the board of supervisors of Lockxahhatchee Groves Border Control District, a dependent district of the town of Loxa Hatche Groves, Florida, electing the district president and providing that the president shall serve
as chair at meetings of the board of supervisors, electing the district secretary, and providing bond amounts, providing for conflicts, providing for severability, and providing for an effective date. >> Thank you. I would proceed with the
similar process that we worked on for the naming of the mayor uh and the chair to open the floor for nominations. >> If I may, >> if I may, isn't usually the mayor as the >> usually >> chair, vice mayor. So, we just got to name >> Simple.
>> Yeah. Say we just need to name a secretary at this point, right? >> Secretary has typically been in the past. I think the clerk. >> The clerk. So, >> and I believe it's the treasurer and not advice. Well, I think the treasur correct. So, so I just I make a motion
to um >> to uh place u the mayor, vice mayor and the >> So, we have two different resolutions for that. >> The mayor. So, your suggestion is that the mayor also be the president of the
>> historically that's what we've done. >> Yeah. since um dependency >> and we need to make a motion for mayor as president and the town clerk as the secretary secretary. >> Okay. All right. >> You're up. >> Can I can I I got to do one at a time. Right.
>> No, you can do >> that's that's together and then the treasurer >> was separate. >> Treasures in one of the following motions. I mean uh >> make a motion that that uh Lisa El Ramy be put in as what's position
>> supervisor president of the board of supervisors for the district >> and >> and that Manish be put in as >> No no no no the town clerk >> the town clerk >> as the secretary >> as the secretary >> district secretary. >> All right we have a motion to name uh
Lisa Rainey as the president of the district and the clerk as the district secretary. No second button. >> And no bond being required for either one of them. >> Yes. >> Do we have to say that as well? >> Just making the the point that that's
part of the motion. So, >> okay. >> Yeah. >> All right. We have a motion by council member Coleman and a second by Vice Mayor Sud. All those in favor? >> I >> I opposed. Motion passes 40. Moving on to item 22. >> Resolia, you're up.
>> Yes. Resolution number 2026-D02, a resolution of the board of supervisors of the Lockxahhatche Groves Water Control District, a dependent district of the town of Loxahhatchee Gross, Florida, appointing the district treasurer and providing bond amount and
compensation, designation the the town manager as fiscal agent for the district and providing for compensation providing for an effective date. >> Thank you. Do I have a motion? Motion to approve. >> If you need to name a district um
treasurer >> typically in the past that's been >> just call. >> I know. >> Okay. So, >> and um I don't know if you want to at the this point in time given the managerial situation um have the designation of the fiscal
agent either be the um the town clerk or the acting town manager depending on how you want to phrase it. >> That's all that's all in this one motion. Correct. >> It is. >> Okay. So I make a motion to
make Misu the treasurer of the district of the board of supervisors for the district and to change it to the um design to be the acting town manager. >> We have a motion by council member Coleman to name Vice Mayor uh Sud as the
treasurer and acting town manager as the fiscal agent for the district. >> Second. Second by Vice Mayor Sud. All those in favor? >> I >> I opposed. Motion passes 40.
Brings us to item 23. Resolution number 2026-D03. A resolution of the board of supervisors of the Lockxahhatche Grows Water Control District, a dependent district of the town of Loxahhatchee Grove, Florida,
designating Craig Lowour as the engineer for the district, providing conflict, providing for severability, and providing an effective date. >> Thank you. >> Motion to approve. >> We have a motion to approve item 23,
resolution 2026, DDO3. I have a second. I have a question. >> Okay. Can we second it first and then we can go into discussion? Yes. Second. >> Thank you. We have a second by Vice Mayor Sud. Correct. Now we're open to uh discussion on this item.
>> Correct. May I ask it says as the engineer for the district? >> Are you >> You do not have to be a PE or an engineer. >> Okay. >> To act as the engineer for the the district. >> And he's not super >> He's neither of those.
>> All right. That was my question. I still second it. >> Okay. >> Any further discussion or public comment? >> No. >> All right. All those in favor? >> I I
>> opposed. Motion passes 40. Item 24. Kenthia. >> Resolution number 2026- DD04. A resolution of the board of supervisors of the Lockxahhatche Groves Water Control District, a dependent district
of the town of Loxahhatchee Groves, establishing a schedule of its regular meetings for fiscal year 2026-2027 and providing an effective date. >> Motion to approve. >> Thank you. >> Sec. >> All right. Motion by Council Member
Coleman, second by Vice Mayor Sud. These only go through they're just a they're just Are they quarterly? I think so. It sounds about right. >> No, that um I think what they're tied they're principally tied to your budget
>> budgeting meetings. >> All right. >> At this point in time, >> only a couple >> there's like three of them. >> Yeah. And you all we can always have the ability to um call special meetings uh for the um for the board if there's
items that that come up. Um, one of the things that you may want to consider in the future is an update to the water control plan. That may involve a few more meetings. Um, >> all right. Super. Um, any other questions, comments, discussion, public comment?
>> No. Uh, all those in favor? >> I >> I >> opposed. Do we even have a motion to adjurnn? >> We had a motion and a second >> to adjurnn. >> No. >> Oh, I thought we already voted on that. Yeah. >> No, we didn't. >> I I approval. Sorry. All right.
>> I was in a in a >> We will reconvene now as the town council and items 12, 17, and 20 have been moved to regular agenda items. So, first one up is item number
12, resolution 202618. Cynthia, would you read the resolution, please? Resolution 2026-18, a resolution of the town council of the town of Loxahhatche Gross, Florida, approving schedule for the regular and
workshop town council meetings dates from April 2026 to May 2027 provided for conflicts, severability, and an effective date. >> Why? >> Thank you. >> I'm sorry. >> Why was this pulled? >> Uh staff moved it to regular.
>> Why? What? And I I think uh Councilman Sud'll explain >> question. >> All right, hold on. Let's get a motion to approve and a second. >> This is our our second meeting, our board shop, right? >> This is the This is the schedule. >> The end of the year
>> for the entire thing. Yeah, motion to approve. >> Oh, actually I lied. Through May of 27th. >> Yeah, May of 27th. >> Sorry. >> It's the year. >> So, we have a motion to approve. >> Second by uh Council Member Stevens and M Vice Mayor Sue. Did you have a comment? >> Yes.
Can we discuss hosting workshops be before the council meetings if possible because then the staff is present and it's it has much more coverage. Um I I think hosting separate workshops when no town staff is there and it it
goes on and on. I mean I would love to if there is a focused agenda on a workshop. Yes. But I would say in the interest of time we combine workshop before the regular meeting if possible unless there is a special workshop. >> Are you proposing to not have a a
workshop separate meeting? >> Yes. >> And just move a 30 minute 1 hour workshop. >> 1 hour workshop before >> 1 hour. Okay. >> 30 minute whatever works but have it before the town council meeting so that staff is here. It's well televised and
it's well attended. Unless if there is a special workshop, yes, we can always set up another workshop. But I thought it would be a good use of our time if we do it before the regular meeting. >> Okay. Council member >> Coleman, I I think that the way we have been doing it, not that I'm opposed to
change, but the way we've been doing it has been kind of we get a little more time, not just an hour, right? Um it doesn't make people have to rush home from work at 4:00. Some people can't be here at 4:00 or 5:00, meaning in the public. I know it'd be kind of rough for me to get here at 5:00. Um, so I I think
and you know I it's it's recorded. It's available. Um, staff actually does a whole I think it's a chat GPT or uh it's a >> what's the word? The AI dictation. Yeah, translation. Correct. Um, and then they
review it. Um, we're not we're not these workshops. We're not allowed to give direction anyway. Um, so I don't think it's it's as beneficial to have the staff there. Um, we do have one person from staff here to manipulate the machinery, um, and have lights on and
then lock up when it's all over. So, I mean, I support the schedule as is. So, thank you. >> Okay, Council Member Stevens. >> Yeah, I would uh, Councilman Coleman, I would I would lean into what you just said. I mean with my
schedule personally uh the way the workshops have have worked out and me that's me as attendant as a as just a resident not behind the dies here u it's been really really convenient for me I've been able to get to all the workshops all the meetings so I'm not
saying I'm opposed to change maybe we start with this and we can look at it here in a couple of months and see if there's maybe something that will work a little bit better but for me personally I'm going to lean into Paul over here uh just at least for the first couple of months and then we can maybe talk about it a little bit more.
>> We've had a lot of solid feedback from it. So, >> okay. >> Yeah. All right. >> For me, I know that um Vice Mayor Sud had proposed u reviewing an ordinance. I know there's a couple ordinances that I want to bring forward for possible repeal or rescending or altering to some
degree. Um I'd like to see a lot of those happening faster versus not, partly because of some of the state changes that are coming our way. Uh so I would like to propose the April and May workshops become a second meeting. Um
>> you need full meeting or do you want to do the half hour beginning? >> Well, as we get to discussion, maybe we can alter that. They can maybe have just an hour at the beginning of that workshop or a half hour. Yeah. >> To bring those forward because we're going to need first readings on those,
>> right? >> And then the second reading is the publicly noticed one that takes the You remember the one we had that we all I think you and I both said well we could have just kept rolling with the meeting and we had to postpone. Remember we had to postpone. >> Correct. >> Correct. >> Excuse me. But we could have just in you
know >> I I think yeah if we can just maybe we started so we keep that you know I hate to take that workshop >> I know >> away from the res. So, uh, I would so we can leave April and May 2nd workshop
dates with the tenative agreement to create a special meeting at the beginning as necessary. >> Sounds good. >> All right. And that that could change to more, but I think uh I think they reserve that. >> I agree. I think we need more regular meeting. We just made lot of changes.
Lot of changes are coming. So, I think we need to meet more frequently as a as a you know come down council and >> and I would like for the public to not have to sit here for endless hours. Um, and I apologize for this evening's delay, but um we have a motion and a
second. Are we going to get uh >> excuse me public? Yes, we have a public comment. >> Yes. Um Mr. McClendon We did heard earlier tonight about public comment about how we want to expand public comment because he want to go from two hours to 1 hour on this
workshop. I mean what's going on here? Some of your biggest supporters have done nothing but praise that two-hour workshop. They've been fantastic having staff here just back to basic community talking with your neighbors. I implore you to keep that two-hour session there.
Don't limit it. Sometimes it it worked out having the half hour beforehand before those two hour sessions. Try to get some business done. Back in the day, we used to have a half hour workshop before meetings and it was always this rush to get through the half hour. We got to get to this meeting and we got
four hours of stuff ahead of us. Let's get this thing going. There was no communication. It was it was horrible. That's how we ended up with the two hours. It's been working out fantastic. I don't even know if you've shown up to one of them. Joey has showed up to every single one of them. Everybody has comment and praise. What do you see that
on? Thank you. >> Thank you, Mayor. Yes. This time we need a motion to extend the meeting. >> Yes. >> So move. >> Thank you. We have a motion to extend. >> Second. >> Seconded by Vice Mayor Sud. All those in favor? >> I opposed. Motion passes 40 to extend
the meeting. So, uh, no further public comments? >> No, ma'am. >> All right. All those in favor of uh adopting the approved schedule for council meetings. >> And that's with the revision that um the April 21st and May 19th meeting will be
at least partially regular meetings. >> Correct. >> Agreed. >> Agreed. >> We reserve that right. >> Yes. >> Uh so all those in favor I'm sorry again. >> I >> I opposed. Hearing a motion passes 40. You're still going to have the workshop
on the 13th. >> The workshop will be April 21st. That'll be the first workshop. It's usually the first and I'm sorry, the first and third Tuesdays, right? So, the third Tuesdays have been um recently a public workshop.
So, we look forward to seeing everybody attend. They have been very popular. >> And we can change into a regular meeting if we >> we can if we're if we're pressed. That brings us to item 17. Uh, I pulled this item that my question
regarding this. I I know we've used this particular government services in the past. Thank you, Karen. Right. I'm a little concerned that we make sure we have a pretty firm hold on performance here. >> I was going to, but I see Karen jumped up. I was because I I did I called and
asked about this. Why are we doing this again? >> Yes. >> So, >> all right. Thank you, Karen. >> Sure. No problem. Um, yeah. Uh we have the same concerns. Um the unfortunate problem is there's limited companies who are out there. Um I'm sure Paul can
attest to that being in the field. Uh and the intention of this was to enable us to be 5 days a week to do inspections. Right now we're >> the focus is mostly inspection. >> Correct. And we're limited to three and we can only do five a day. So we've had
people have had to wait a week before they could get the inspection. >> We've all been called. So, we will make sure we're monitored. If we have any issues, we will certainly bring it back to your attention and if we have another way, we'll have to figure out another way to go. Okay. Super. Thank you. >> I believe this mentioned solely inspections. Just in the title, solely
inspections. Not to say that they could do other things. >> Well, yeah, because it lists other prices and stuff. So, do we have um Thank you, Karen. Any questions for Karen? >> I need a motion first. >> Motion to approve. >> We have a public comment. >> Yes. Do I have a second on that?
So, we have a second uh motion by Council Member Coleman, second by Vice Mayor Sud, and we have a public comment. >> Yes, Madame Mayor. It's Joe uh Siciliano, and I hope I didn't chop up her name. >> Oh, you got it. >> She um had to leave the meeting early,
so she's requesting that um we read the comment into the record on her behalf. >> Thank you. comment is, "Isn't CAP the same company that we have previously used for code enforcement officers which we fire for inaccuracies on billing and whereabouts? If yes, I'm opposed to
using this company again." >> Thank you. >> Yeah. So, >> council member Coleman has his light on. >> Yeah, just I popped it. So, just in case we uh what few months ago, we approved to re-up the contract with hybrid. Um they are current inspection company. >> Hybrid.
>> Hi, Hybrid. Hy bird. >> Bird. >> Oh, I've always called it a hybrid. My bad. I'm sorry, folks. Um I've been mispronouncing your name. Um for 10 years now. Um so they they currently have you know their operation is three
days a week, minimum of five inspections, right? So this is to augment that to supplement so we can get more inspections a week. Um, I don't think there's there might be something else out of it later, but at this point in time, I think we're just looking for >> inspection. It does sound like staff has
similar concerns and is is very on top of it. Um, with with reservation, right? >> And I believe those folks are no longer with them. So, >> there you go. Any other comments from council, >> Mr. Coleman, you you like them. You are expert in this. >> Um, I'm not an ex not an expert. Um, I
have worked with them at my current at my at my real not my real job, my other job, my other hat. Yes, I do work with them, you know, amicable company. And I have uh I have faith in Jack and his ability to to pick what he needs for his staff.
>> Great. Second. >> All right. So, we have the motion and second. All those in favor? >> I I opposed. Motion passes 40. That brings us to item 20. No, 2019 was pulled by staff. >> So, we're on item 20, which is the
budget amendment request. Um, >> we 8618 or did it get dropped at the bottom? >> It was in the consent. >> Oh, 18 state. Oh, I put Oh, you know, I put Sorry. >> No worries. So, we um I know this has
been a a request by the former mayor for the uh upcoming 20th anniversary celebration and Veterans Day event. And unfortunately, she had to leave the meeting early. Um and so she's not here
to discuss this in any detail. Uh do we want to push this off to the next meeting? >> Yeah. >> And she can be present. Okay. So, we'll move this >> to the before the workshop. >> Do we want to move this to before the workshop or do I move it to the May meeting? I'm I'm a little concerned. You
probably know more about what she's been working on. And >> I'm I'm not sure. I don't know if Valerie does, but it it probably makes sense to move it to the April 17th meeting because of >> so we can have the the funds available. >> 21st. I'm sorry.
>> Just got that date in mind for a reason. >> I will not be in town on the 17th. >> All right. So we will move to April 21 special meeting. All right. Thank you. That brings us to
discussion item number >> 25 and Karen's back up. >> Yeah. >> Good evening. So um very short history. So staff brought forward to the previous council
the fact that we were concerned regarding the existing RV program how it was working. Uh I presented something as an amendment. The instruction was to make it more efficient, easier to use. Um that didn't go well and so the
council decided to workshop it and it was workshopped. Uh I did receive the minutes from the meeting which I believe Lisa had done. Thank you so much for that. >> You're welcome. And then what I did is I took what Lisa presented on behalf of the council and then just added in some
things uh just to make it flow a little bit better uh and to make sure we covered things like the disability that we didn't have in the last one. So this is it's not this has to be placed in an ordinance. Okay, two three readings because it's got to go to planning and
then twice to the council. So really what staff is looking for is if I hit it right, um we'd like to take this language and the town attorney would work with me to create the ordinance so we can bring it to the schedule would be
be to bring it to the planning board in May and then bring it to council in June for first reading and second reading in July. So it'll be implemented before we get to the start of the new year, which is typically when these programs would start. >> Okay. I I know the new council is maybe
not up to speed on this. Um but obviously the readings and the and the time schedule does does pose an issue. Vice Mayor S. >> Yeah, thank you. Uh I did watch that meeting. My friend tells me I don't show up. I don't have to come in person. I
watch on YouTube. Thank you for the town YouTube channel. Uh I wanted to ask you, I want to know some data, some analytics. Uh for example, how many total RVs are in the town? Uh average, how many come in and go, how many are
permanently stationed? How many have been permitted? How many uh tickets or issues we have received? What are the top issues of the public? I want to see some data. What are the top public comes
to you with lot of complaints. uh whether they're whether they think that fee is too much or whether they think uh the process is too complicated whatever those are I would like to see some data would you be able to share some data for me >> if you don't hold me to the exact numbers I can give you kind of estimate
okay so there's >> no you don't have to give me right now I would like a briefing okay with other colleagues to bring me up to speed >> would you like me to bring it back to the next meeting to the workshop or do you want me just to do a memo and I can present it to you you tell me
>> what's the best mechanism >> procedure procedure council >> member Cohen >> is it is it possible you could just issue a memo or report >> and just send it to us all >> is that possible >> I mean I know I know fetching that number of how many RVs
>> in the town is an insurmountable task right because I mean >> you know >> but you have a guesstimate >> the sat the satellite show you know a year ago the the new this year isn't even updated yet so I So, but if you could do that, I think does that work with everybody? >> Yeah.
>> Okay. And let me and and I know again, thank you, Lisa, that obviously Joe and Manish didn't have chance to look at it. I would like to keep us moving if it's okay with this council. So, again, nothing is written in stone because none
of this is is legal yet. So again, I have I can send out the memo and if you want to meet with me to talk about and if I can process this and take it to the planning board, I'd like to do that, but I don't want to be too pushy. So again, if if you prefer me to wait and give the
new members the opportunity to digest this and for me to come back at another meeting to take any comments, >> I think I think Vice Mayor Sud's data is an interesting question. I do think that the previous council workshop we really got into the nitty-gritty on this and
there was great public input and I do think we arrived at an even better version of what's been attempted in the past. So I'm on board with allowing this to move forward into more official structured language and I'm not sure
when planning and zoning will be meeting since we'll be appointing all new people. So obviously that is that's a difficult time constraint for you. Council member Stevens. >> Paul, were you up first? >> Yeah. No, I was just going to say the same thing. I I think moving forward to
a to a a better, you know, a refined document that goes before PCB or if it just has to come to us because PCB doesn't have a quorum, you know, that's that's a a case as well. And then we get a first reading out of it and we can always edit from the first reading, right?
>> Yes. So I I think I think yeah like you said it was a very very amicable meeting. >> Um >> super productive. >> Exactly. Super productive and I think we got like I said I think it's and and every time we visit this program it's going to get better. I think just like
everything else we tend to you know we get something going and then oh we need to tweak this and this. So I'm I'm with moving. >> If you if you really wanted to um expedite this you could have first reading at your May meeting. Um, it
could be brought to the PCB meeting um, in May after your first reading. Um, and then you could theoretically consider it in June. >> Okay. >> For second reading and >> adopt a reasonable timeline. >> Wouldn't it go to PCB before it comes to us for first? Generally,
>> it generally it generally does. There is not a mandate that it go before. >> Right. But that's May meeting. we were able to name PZB >> and on board and they're all able to meet and have a quorum. >> You know what I'm saying? So, I mean I don't know.
>> I I don't know. I I know that as as soon as the today happens, everybody that was there that's part of these two seats drops off, right? Correct. Automatically. Yeah. >> Do we have appointees for you gentlemen that are new up here for PCB? Will we be will we be seeing those at the next
meeting for approval? >> Yes. Next. >> Okay. So, whenever those are ready. So hopefully we won't have too much of a blip. So right >> I think it's realistic that that you know when PCB needs >> Yeah. the only they're only a week away from the council. That's the only
concern because they they meet the second week. So you meet the first week. So as long as you give me some leeway because I wouldn't if you're changing the language I may not get it to them a week in advance of their meeting which normally >> I'd prefer they go to PCB first. Okay. So
>> or at the end of season too. So this isn't going to change anything for this year. >> Yeah. >> We're just prepping up for next >> the next goround, right? >> Great. So it sounds like we're going to do appointment at the next meeting which should give me enough time to get it constituted in May and I can present it to the planning board based on what I
presented today. They give the comments come back to you for second and first and second reading. >> Yes. And if any of the council members has anything that comes up after reviewing what data is available, >> please. >> Yeah. Just provide your comments back to Karen. >> Don't reply all. Do not reply all. >> Do not reply all.
>> Review of Sunshine Law. I'll leave that to Jeff. >> So, all right. Sounds good. >> We have direction. Are you uh are you up next for code enforcement lean? >> I think Jeff actually it's a team, but Jeff is going to present. Okay. I'll stay up here. >> Thank you. >> Excuse me, madame mayor. I do have a
comment card for item number 25. Oh, I'm sorry. Mr. McClendon. >> Thank you. Todd McClendon, >> interesting question came up about how many RVs are in town here. I'm not sure really asked the important question because if we look at like the proposed
RV resort, there's none there, right? The question is how many can be there or how many can be in the town. That's really what we need to know. In rough estimates, the number is around 2500 to 3500 RVs would be allowed with this program. I don't know if that's what you
want. It may be, but at least you should know the number going into it what you're approving because of course if the RV resort was going to be approved, that's how many would be approved, right? And we heard all the negatives about how bad RVs were for the town. We didn't want to lose transients
for 250 RV sites. Now we're talking 2500 to 3500. And this thought process that well these people can't register to vote here. Absolutely. There is no you have to be living somewhere for 6 months. We can ask somebody that's a developer from Boca Raton just register to vote in this
last election on a dime. Right? So it's potentially 2500 to 3500 RVs. Two people each one 7,000 people. So, think about it before you approve it. If you're going to approve it, I'm
going to say the same thing I did when I was sitting up there. Forget about the permit process. Just put the codes in place as to how many you can have, where they can be, your setbacks. Forget about all this coming down and filling out paperwork and paying your fee and and dragging town employees down to come
check everything. Just put a code there and this is what it is and let code enforcement deal with it. If somebody's out there and they have seven and they're only supposed to have two. >> Um I think that's it. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. >> No, we don't respond to comments. >> Right.
>> So, >> I was going to give a comment to It's hard not to respond. >> Karen, you have another public comment. >> Yes, Mayor. Um, Miss Coleman. >> Miss Coleman. >> Mrs.
Not for long. Maybe >> could change in the next few years. >> Talking about changes. >> So, I don't normally read. I'm going to only because I actually emailed this a month ago to Valerie and was told that
nobody would read it into the record that I had to do it myself or ask somebody to do it. So, I'm going to read it. So, it's here. Hopefully I don't use it all my time. When the original update to the RV program was provided, it allowed for those of us with less than five acres to still be allowed to have an occupied RV
on the property. Somehow in revising it to supposedly limit the number of occupied RVs on larger parcels, our right to have even one was eliminated. While I still firmly believe that a 10-acre horse farmer nursery does not legitimately need four RVs, which will most likely house two to four people each, I fail to understand how our right
to even have one was eliminated. From what I have been told, what I've been told, not what I know. I'm not pretending I'm an expert on the code, we can have one if we have an a exemption under the theory that it will house somebody supposedly taking care of the A business. However, if a person has
5 acres, they're allowed to have an RV without regard to their Aex exempt status. This is completely without logic or fairness to those of us who happen to own smaller parcels. There are smaller parcels who under the guise of an a business have multiple RVs when in fact there has been no a business on that property for years. Yet we cannot have
one RV on our property for any purpose other than storage. If we are re revisiting the program, I would strongly suggest the restriction be lifted for the smaller parcels and once again allow us to legally have an occupied RV on our property. My point is, and I've said it before, it's supposed to be about the
residents, not just about a nurseries or horse barns or whatever. And I understand you guys are a up there with the exception of us. So I'm probably not making any friends. Don't really care. It's not all about what works for your farms and your parcels. The residents
who might have a kid home from college that might want to not be under her parents roof would like to maybe have the option to have them in that RV. She's going to be living in my property. Whether she's sitting in an RV or she's sitting in my house, it's not increasing density. It's not increasing voters. She's already a voter. I'm not looking
to make money off of it, which is what most people are doing. You can go right now because I'm a member of a bunch of RV Facebook pages and you have people in our town actively advertising on boondocking sites, on RV rental sites. There is a sign right now up somewhere
on Collecting Canal that's actively advertising RV spots. They're not saying, "I need somebody to come and take care of my barn or my horses." They're just advertising a rental. Fine. Let them do what they're going to do. But I don't understand why I'm restricted from doing what I want with
one single little RV just because I don't happen to be wealthy enough to own a 5 or a 10acre parcel. And if we're going to revisit this and we're going to change it, maybe let's think of the residents and not just the residents who happen to own big properties or happen to have nurseries or horse farms. Thank
you. >> Thank you. I would encourage the public to review what was done because it did address a lot of concerns that have been brought up previously. Thank you. Anything else? >> No, ma'am. >> Okay. So, I think we've given direction, clear direction that staff >> comment.
>> See, this is this is exactly what I was talking about. We I I don't know about Joe, we need briefing on this issue. I'm not going to Okay, maybe >> it's that time. >> Okay, it's the time. Anyway, my point is these are great questions. Yeah, let
>> Hold on. Yeah, get it back on. We >> just reported Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you again repeating. I think my point is thank you to all the valuable feedback that uh Todd and Mrs. Olman brought in. I think I would like
to know this topic deeper. Uh how many residents as uh how many how can I'm surprised can it be 25 to 3500? I mean that's not what I would like to happen. and this voter registration and this people advertising and all that stuff
that has to stop. So anyway, I think my point is I like the speed but I would like to know this issue deeper before I support any such thing. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. Item 26. >> Item 26.
All right. >> Just hold on. Sorry. We're bringing it back on the the next meeting for first reading, right? I believe it's going to make it to planning and zoning person. Okay, cool. Just just >> you will get the memo before then that
Manish has asked me to provide you. >> Yeah, but it won't Yeah. And it won't be back before you for an action until probably at least the June meeting, >> right? Um code enforcement for lean foreclosures.
As the council is aware, we have been progressing towards potential foreclosures. Um the council, the previous council adopted um policies for uh moving forward on foreclosures. One of the statutory requirements that we
have to have is we have to get the special magistrate to authorize uh the foreclosures. Um, and we have a number of foreclosures that I have listed out um, here that are
in process for that final evaluation. Just because the special magistrate has authorized us to move forward, the town council still has to make the business decision as to whether or not they want to to move forward. as a precursor to
that business decision. Um, as I had indicated when uh you know I interviewed for this position, um I don't have the bandwidth. I have the background and ability but not the bandwidth to um
handle foreclosures uh and litigate them on behalf of the town. So my recommendation is that we retain outside counsel. Um, specifically, I'm recommending that we retain the Weiss Serotto firm. Um, they
offered to do this work at a rate of $375 an hour. Uh, which sounds like a ton of money, but is reasonable for um litigation in of this nature. In my opinion, the wife soda forum is uh got a
tremendous background in um all types of local government uh law. Uh they were one of the folks that interviewed um with me for uh the existing position.
Um the process at this point in time would be to bring them on board, have them um work with me in evaluating the cases and getting them prepped for uh potential foreclosure so we can make
final recommendations to you. In the interim, what I would want to do is meet with each of you individually to discuss the um details of the these foreclosure actions
um and uh get formal authorization to move forward uh with some of them in all likelihood uh and not necessarily all of them at the the May meeting. Um, as I've
briefly described in here, uh, there is the potential um, for some interim payments um, from some of these folks. uh given the time that we are at tonight um and given what
I'm asking you for, it is not to authorize the foreclosure, but I would like you to um authorize the town manager, the acting town manager and I to enter into the um
retainer agreement. the uh this initial work would be able to be done under the um town manager's spending authority and then we would bring the individual cases to you on an individual basis. Well, they'd probably
be grouped, but you would make decisions on them. There would as a if you decided to move forward with the foreclosure cases, there would have to be a budget amendment to author uh to to fund that because right
now under the present version of the budget, I think there's $22,000 in outside council fees um that's been allocated which would only cover at best uh one of the one of the cases moving
forward. Um, so that's what this item is there for, to alert you to to this and get your blessing for the manager and I or the acting manager and I to um enter into the retainer agreement with voice.
>> Okay. Before I jump to my fellow council members, and this is probably not allowed, but would some of this fall under like a shade meeting since there would be some legal process? >> Not until we have actually filed okay
>> the the action and then yes, for some of them um we may be coming back to you in the shade. Um depending on what what happens. Um, some of these I think we're going to be able to potentially bring
back some substantial offers. Um, not not to foreclose the possibility of foreclosure, but to uh delay the process of foreclosure. Um, >> literally buying time.
>> Buying time so that they can get the property into compliance. and uh then potentially avail themselves of the ordinances that allow for lean reduction. Um but the minimum amount that you would be talking about is 25%
of the uh of the amount that is due >> of the fine. All right, Council Member Stevens, you had your light on. >> Reckon I did. Um couple of things, Mr. Curts. Um, in regards to this, uh, firm
that you're recommending, um, full disclosure, you have a history with those guys, worked with them before. Um, I worked with David Tulsus in 190
to or 91 to 93. Um and um but uh no I have not uh I have not retained or been involved with way Serotaa at any time subsequent to that
and David wasn't with Serotaa at that point in time. >> Okay. >> And so this firm they're not familiar with any of the these cases. Correct. Um, I have sent the I have sent the information to them, >> but
they're they're not um they have not um begun any analysis that they would charge us for, but they are aware of them. Um, years ago, David Tulsus was the I think he was the first um town
attorney in Bloxy Grove. So, they're they're familiar with the area. So my concern is, you know, every hour that goes by that they're going to have to just put a lot of due diligence into just getting up to speed, just learning about the property. So when I look at stuff like this, I thinking about, and maybe I'm speaking your language here
when I say institutional knowledge and somebody that's already familiar with some of these cases and specifically, um, was there any consideration given to the previous town attorney who knows a lot of these cases and has been seeing,
um, has dealt with them before? Um, no, there wasn't. Glenn's, you're talking about Glen Terivia. >> Yes. >> Um, no, there wasn't any consideration given to retaining uh Glenn's firm because
when Glenn when Glenn and his firm were uh the town attorney on foreclosure matters, they were going to farm them out. They didn't have anybody that was going to litigate foreclosure cases. >> Interesting. Okay.
Any other comments? >> I like Mr. Steven's comment to use institutional knowledge and hire somebody who has no >> I support Mr. Steven's comment that we should hire somebody who has institutional knowledge who knows our
town in these cases. So there is less of a learning curve. Thank you. >> Paul, any comment? >> No. >> Any public comments? Yeah, >> I think we're in the preliminary state. I And the next step and the next step
is, you know, we're going to have to have individual meetings. >> Do we have consensus to instruct uh the attorney and acting manager to move forward with an agreement with the proposed law firm? >> I mean, institutional knowledge >> purchasing. We haven't had that many
attorneys here. So, >> I'm saying why not also ask a proposal from our previous uh attorneys who know he's already farm it out. He's not going to do it. They don't have that capacity. >> All right, then let's go with >> So, we have a consensus. >> Yep. Yes. >> Yes. Yes.
>> Okay. >> Move forward. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> That brings us to item 27 and let's see if we can't be done by 11. >> Yeah. Okay. Um,
we have an offer with respect to um a piece of property um to pay the town $250,000 to release a conservation easement and
um a portion of a code enforcement lean on uh property that is located immediately ly to the east of 1300D. Um, and there had been, this had been
previously in front of the the council with an offer, I think there was an offer of $150,000 and then there was an offer of $200,000. the last time that it came before the the council uh the and that we had
acquired appraisals on the property. The town had uh gotten an appraisal and the um uh owner of the property had gotten an appraisal um and those worked out to that the worth of the property was about
$200,000. Um the town council uh didn't approve that uh $200,000 offer and they asked for some more information with respect to the cost of replanting.
Our arborist provided us with um an analysis that said the cost was going to be I think it was in the neighborhood of $158,000. Um the question uh before the council is whether or not
you would favorably entertain an offer of $250,000 for the release of the conservation easement. Um and
uh there is um a lean on 1300D uh that has attached to to this property. Um and we would propose if if the council was so inclined um to release by to have a partial
release of lean that's associated with the innocent property. Um, and that that would reduce the amount that's due from 1300D by $5,000. Um, and I'm sorry for being so brief,
especially for uh the new council members. I will entertain questions, but I wanted to to put that out there for you. Um, these people um we've been dealing with this for I think at least a
year. Paul and Lisa, you know, you've heard this a couple times, so >> Well, Paul, you've got your light on. Thank you. Thank you, Jeff. >> Craig, I know you're pretty burst on the trail map, right? >> I don't mean to >> Oh, Craig's hiding. >> Yeah, you're hiding behind Lawrence. Um, yeah. So, is that portion of E- Road? I
know we have some segmented portions of E- Road. Is that easement already our like the Is there an easement there that we own or >> canal bank? >> The canal bank. Is that ours or is that >> Yes. So, the town has a 60 foot rideway >> from
>> it's not even an easement. That would be a rideway >> from center of road or center of canal. >> Um, we have to go off and find the property pins because it back in the day was beer can here, beer can there. >> So, the roads do kind of move a little bit and they're not. >> Is that your engineering uh opinion?
>> So, we have we have a we have a 60 foot rideway in that section of E- Road is what you're saying? >> Yes, sir. >> On that property. Okay, cool. Um, so and then as we've discussed multiple times, I just I I um and I know I'm not gonna be popular for this, but I mean this was
this was scrub. I I haven't seen I haven't looked at I mean I'm sure we could pull up a geo photo from, you know, 15 years ago or something to be able to find see the little green splotches of whatever was there. But I think this is all scrub. I don't think there's any viable canopy
that was there and it's been removed. So I think um in my opinion we can we can best use this money we can throw it in the mitigation fund for education etc where we were t what we've kind of set in place um just to be brief and I
think we can we can benefit as a whole more than getting somebody to just replant something in a random spot. So, um, we have an easement there for a trail. We have, you know, I think this will, you know, and I'm not saying that this is should be a catchall for
everybody, but you know, this, um, this is a lot better than where we started. So, >> interrupting you on E-RO, it would not be an easement as a trail. It would just be the town's right away. >> Towns right away. Yes. >> So, how how do we >> we would have to declare that as a trail
>> that bank. >> Okay. All right. Well, we can we can that's a different discussion. >> The parts of the town's property on certain from the property pins out is town's property. >> It's town it's town's property and we can we have to >> put Yes. >> navigate that somehow later. Okay. All right.
>> Thank you. Any other council members? I I have concerns uh regarding they're coming forward with more and more money. It's cheaper to replant trees.
I believe here Jeffy it said 146,000 >> it it would be cheaper for well it would be arguably less expensive for them initially to replant the trees. The pro the problem that they would face is the the replanting of the trees would be
within that conservation easement that would limit their ability to utilize the the property. >> I think we're all aware of what that does. Yes. Um and there would be the time of involved in getting it to be mature and all those kind of things and
they would rather uh spend more money now so that they can move on from the property as they want to sell it. They don't want to develop it. >> Okay. And we have public comments. >> Yes ma'am. Um the first one is Mr. Corning
>> withdraw. Okay. The next one is Nina Corning. >> Hi, Nina Corning. Um, so this is owned by Shelter Palms Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit organization. It focuses on providing
housing solutions. That's rather interesting, isn't it? I mean, there's a long bit about all the commercial around us that was in the assessment and how they're going to keep it rural. That doesn't need necessarily mean one per five acre. By the way,
>> um the other concern I have is that we are consistently giving away conservation and um easements in Florida. It's a real problem because nobody is actually willing to put things
in conservation because they don't hold. It is something where Virginia has done a much much better job at when something is in conservation, it's in conservation. If it's destroyed, then it
needs to be put back. That's how it should run. not the opposite way around, you know, not a little diddly squat for, I don't know, some school fund. That's not how it should run. If it's conservation, it's conservation. It should stay. Thank you.
>> Thank you. >> Any other public comments? >> Yes, ma'am. Cassie Sushi. Cassie Suchi, why did we become a town? What did we want to protect as a town? And land was put into a conservation
easement in exchange for some code violation given to the town. And now we're discussing to sell it to the highest bidder. We should be land stewards of the town and protect the conservation easements.
I don't care if they plant small trees and it takes 50 years. I mean, look at the trees they're planting in the commercial right now. Okay? We don't need to be pimping out our land to the highest bidder. We need to protect it.
If you had the same decision up here to give away the East West Railroad easement that ran through our town many years ago, which would have been a fabulous trail, but they gave it back to the land owners. would you have made that same decision?
So, think about why we became a town, what we're protecting, and we need to hold dear our conservation easements. And I would question again exactly what Nina brought up as well, but we need to protect them and not sell them to the highest bidder. >> Thank you.
>> I just I just want to make it clear and it's and it's totally up to you. Um but with respect to these conservation easements, the public does not have the right of access onto any of them. Um the
concept that has been discussed with respect to whatever proceeds that would come from the sale is that it would be used um to acquire or um get control of properties that the town
actually could manage and preserve um and have access to. But if if it's the will of the council that there's no price, then we should tell these folks there's no price. If it's more money, we should make a
counter offer to them. >> Okay. Vice Mayor S. >> Yeah, I think my >> microphone. >> Sorry. Could you maybe say one question? What when you say conservation easement, it was what was the purpose of this easement? What was the purpose of that
2acre land? um to maintain the trees that were on there at the time. >> Okay. that I think what question these were county county um >> yeah they came from Derma but basically somebody proposed a a a development of
the property or the residence whatever farm whatever it may be >> and in some cases they were a punishment right so the town received these from the county that's the history on >> and there's a what 17 of these >> right um >> there's a total of 13 I think that are
actually these kind and then there's some other restrictive covenants. The thing about it is these these were not part of a planned conservation area that would have been unified or anything like that. They
were, you know, isolated within the within the properties. Um they don't necessarily connect to any other conservation areas. Um, so, uh, that's that's the the situation. Um, and
so if the if the council wants us to try and enforce the conservation easements, we can um try to get that that done. Um I all I'm indicating is that in fairness
to to these folks um we should make a decision as to whether we want to negotiate or >> just to Can I ask one more question? So this is a 20 acre lot. Is that correct? Yes. >> Correct. >> So where do they retain their water or do they have any any
>> vacant land? >> It's a vacant land vacant. >> It's a vacant land. I >> I am of the view keep the we are not selling it. Thank you. >> Okay. So ju just let's let's be clear about what the easement is, right? >> It's not ours. >> Yeah, I'm sorry. >> Allow me. >> Yep.
>> So the the easement um is basically for lack of a better illustration, the current easement that we're talking about, right? Picture this is the 20 acre property. Okay, this is the median
part that connects with the D-road property. This is road canal. Okay. It is a little portion over here of 2A. It's not like it's some beautiful easement that was full of nice big trees, etc. that goes across the whole frontage or the whole back as a buffer.
Is a designated piece that somebody at the county said, "Okay, two acres. This is what it is." Boom. Okay. Now, you're a town here. This is your responsibility. Now, what happened was somebody went in, illegally cleared the property, and they totally got rid of it over time. Okay? It's all gone. It's
dirt. Maybe some weeds now. Right. So, the proposal is to take the mitigation dollars or to tell them no or to offer more. The the whole idea is not to pay for a school. It's not what I said. The
idea is more along the lines of what Jeff was saying. We have a mitigation fund that people pay into already, right? with those the monies in that fund that will add to that bank that we'd be able to there's some properties that are really undevelopable
because they're 100% cypress head or 90% cypress head. We could in theory we could purchase that property create a boardwalk etc and create a town park which creates more green space which has other implications down the road things like that. So we can create we could
purchase retention that we need you know for filtration etc like that. So that that's the whole kind of in a nutshell the gambit of what we're talking about here is not just you know throwing it away. >> So we're at quarter till 11. Council
member Kaine is not here. I would like to know her position on this as well. I I think that's important since she has been here through the the process. Can we bring this back? I I hate to do that again. >> No. Yeah. Bring it back to the April
21st meeting. I would hope. Um and uh that'll give us a chance to update you in more detail as to exactly what the property history was. >> Yes. Yes. And I I would add that there's been discussion of creating a
conservation entity within not belonging to the town but sort of town adjacent where if somebody would like to place a portion of their property into conservation easement uh language and it would be in perpetuity and um that that
would potentially provide some tax relief to those people. Um but that discussion has also come forward in regards to these uh these matters. So uh that uh brings us to public comment on
non-aggenda items. >> Yes, madame mayor. I actually do have one. Um Mr. Frogner, >> that's all I have. Oh, he he mayor, you had initially or council had initially added um PBSO and the website.
>> Oh, I'm sorry. Are we you're correct. My bad. So, are we >> Yeah, no, you're correct. So, um Manish, you asked the PBSO. Sorry for discussion. >> I know we are getting late, so I'll get to the point quickly and I'm going to start with the motion and then I'll give
a little bit of a discussion if somebody has a second to it. So, let's start with the motion. I would like to propose a motion to reaffirm the town's commitment to providing law enforcement services consistent with its charter. Town's
intent to re-engage immediately with PBSO in good faith. Pay PBSO two months of overdue invoices for which they did reform services as a show of good faith. request PBSO to start our premium public safety
protections, including incorporating traffic enforcement measures, including school speed cameras immediately as a show of good faith on their side. Number two, in parallel to this,
we engage PBSO as trusted partners with PBSO being so being one of the most respected law enforcement agencies in the country. which by the way also protects our president improve with with the following topics improve service levels
neighborhood visibility and working with us to make loachi groves one of the safest towns in Palm Beach County. Number three I also move to direct town manager acting town manager to report back with options to ensure equitable cost allocation from high use commercial
establishments. And number four, I also like to make a motion to suggest designate one or more council members as supported by and supported by town attorney and town acting town manager to immediately engage with PBSO to
communicate our good faith intent to work together and report back to the council with initial framework. >> Thank you. Before before we have a second, if I may kind of point of order, we have multiple motions within one >> I agree >> body.
>> Two two or more can't be the attorney and meet with the sheriff. >> I agree. >> Okay. So >> yeah, I'm I'm I'm there with you. So I think that on a broader discussion, there has been legal communication
between the town and the sheriff's representation. So, uh, I I while I agree with Vice Mayor Sud that a dialogue needs to be reopened with that agency, I would defer
to the attorney on what you believe the current status is with >> the the current status of the matter is pursuant to previous council direction. Um, we uh terminated the contract, the
last year of the contract that begins on October 1st of this year. Um, and we sent them a notice that uh based on their prior um correspondence to us, we believe that the matter was closed and
we offered to enter into a mutual termination of this year. Um their response um has been twofold. Um one uh they have sent a letter to the governor
and the Florida cabinet suggesting that um we are in violation of our charter. Um and they also allude uh to the idea that um municipalities
have to provide law enforcement services. Um I have given you uh today a brief outline that um I I don't agree with
their uh opinions with respect to those matters and I give you the rationale for that. Um with respect to where we were in the negotiations um they we stopped paying them uh as of
December 1st. They have basically acknowledged that they stopped providing service on December 17th. They were willing to re-engage um with us under certain um conditions. We provided some
alternative conditions to them to to re-engage. They didn't accept those and the the negotiations failed at that point in time. My understanding um is that at this point in time, if there was
a motion of the council to re-engage, um they would want to know some specifics and they would want to know that at least three of you were definitively in favor of that and essentially make them an offer to re-engage and then they would consider
that re-engagement. Well, you still have your light. Yeah. >> Yeah. So, I mean, when we started all this, recall I said I'm not opposed, let me back up. I'm opposed to paying extra money, right? I really am. But it
seems like majority of folks or at least the majority of the 1% that's wherever, you know, because when I talk to certain other people, you know, they're like, I fully understand, you know, because we already pay PBSO now. They want 680 on top of that, right? So, they've kind of
backed out of everything. I have no problem with a good faith, you know, negotiation or whatever with a real realistic type of contract, not a blanket contract that, you know, everybody else, you know, like like we're not Wellington.
Everybody likes to point out we're not Wellington. We're not Wellington. We're not Royal Palm Beach. We don't have that density. We don't need that level of service. Um we've been, you know, acting on, you know, the same level of service before the contract and after the contract. The only difference is we have, you know, cars with our name on
them. So, I mean, that's where I'm at. But I I have no problem with a good faith ne a good faith negotiation opening talks. That's not the, you know, again, I don't agree with being double dipped, but and I also think that, you
know, a previous council before you and I were reelected, you know, change language to where we don't have to have this. So, that's where we're at. Thank you, Vice Mayor S. >> Sure. I I think given that update from Mr. Kurtz, I would like to propose a
motion to re-engage with PBSO in good faith and also pay them for two months of the invoices for which they actually performed services. We just so just so every >> I'm sorry but just so you understand
the time period we did pay them for um October and November. We ceased payment in December. They ceased services based on our discussions on uh December
17th. Okay. Um, and so I just I want you to be I I want you to be aware that that's the status of the discussions. >> Now, they have not waved any of the monies that they think are due, but they have not really um indicated to to us
that they ever resume services beyond that December 17th. >> So, may I may I we don't make motions on discussion items, okay? We can come to a consensus. We can come to direction. Um Paul and I've been up here having repeated conversations on this. Uh I
think we both agree that the dialogue should be open. There are real questions that need to be asked. Uh that uh I think the sheriff needs to be forthcoming on those answers and in a in
an honest and clear way. So, I think that appointing someone to meet with the sheriff uh perhaps in the presence of uh the town attorney would probably be direction we would all be comfortable giving tonight in that matter.
So, uh we do have a public comment on this item. >> Do does that align with kind of where you're going? >> I think it aligns, but I want to send a strong signal that >> Okay. You're not going to be able to do that. >> No, I know. No, I know. I'm not putting any motion. I'm just saying people are
listening. I want my position is we want PBSO better, bigger and stronger. And yes, we want to fine-tune. We don't want duplication. All good things. But we broke the contract and we have to restore that trust. So whatever we I
want to send as Mr. Kurt said, if they want to know uh my vote or my position on this, I would say my position is re-engage with them in good faith immediately. Thank you. >> Okay. Public comment, please. >> Yes, madame mayor. We have U. Mr.
McClendon. London. I'm sure you're shocked I have comment on this, right? So if you're going to appoint somebody, I would recommend appointing Manish Su >> because part of his campaign was we failed in negotiations as a council and
let him try to go negotiate some kind of better contract, not 1% like the spit in our face. We heard about um residents first. Let's go look at North Road and see what it looks like. So far, we've saved just under $300,000 on this
contract, and still, we are getting excellent service from PBSO. The men and women in the field do a fantastic job, and they're still doing a fantastic job even without this exorbitant contract. I'm going give you a situation on some a family on Sea Road. They've got a young
girl that has seizures when she drives down the dirt roads. Putting residents first is about paving and trying to get drainage there so this girl doesn't have seizures when she drives down the road. That's residents first.
99.9% of the people in the community have no idea we haven't had that contract since December. There are people suffering every single day with infrastructure that's been ignored for a hundred years. That's
where we need to start putting this money. That's what this was about. This was about we already spend $2 million in our property taxes paying PBSO to do their job out here and they do and they always have and I have complete confidence they will moving forward.
Do not re-engage this contract. If you want to negotiate a better contract, so be it. But to make the motion to back pay two months of service, which they didn't provide service, even their town, even their attorney wouldn't say we
could take this money because they never provided the service. There might be a week, maybe two weeks at the road. I would have no problem paying that, right? Because they they did provide that service, that extra service for that week or two to pay for two months. Ludicrous. Ludicrous.
Please just do that. Try to negotiate. Let Manish talked about how a good good negotiator he was. I have no doubt about it. >> Appoint him to be the point man. Thank you. >> Thank you. Can I get a motion to extend again? And it's 11 p.m. for 30 minutes
max. >> Second. >> You're getting rescheduled. >> So, do we have a motion? All right. Yes. And Paul, we're making a motion to extend for no more than 30 minutes. >> Five minutes. >> All right. >> Second.
>> All right. So, all those in favor? >> I >> I >> So, we had a motion by council member Stevens. Um, seconded by Vice Mayor Sud passes 40. Uh, so over to you, Joe. This is your website policy discussion item.
I think I I think that we're all aware that the website is I'm not going to say it's under construction, but it's a work in progress. Uh the Mythbuster Page I I think, you know, a lot of us are in agreeance that that that probably should go. I I would like to see some policy
around allowing projects to be presented on those pages. I'd like to see it limited to, you know, town business, super basic, you know, and possibly upgrading the website to something that would help de, you know, defer some of
the cost of labor, having to take phone calls and things like that if our website was better at at communicating those things. But >> about it, I I um I mean, mine was more targeted. >> No, he was turning it off >> over there. Yeah, come man. >> I was waiting for your comments on so I
didn't hear. if I wanted to remind you to say something. >> No, excuse me. Mine was more targeted right at the Mythbuster page and I had a few things written down, but just in the interest of time, um, you know, I'm prepared to make a motion that we just >> No motion. >> That's right. No motion. Anyway, I'll go
back to my direction. Um, I mean, the more transparent we are and we're putting things out there, myth myth can say it now. Mythbuster page is not needed. And uh just another little fact, as soon as it was uh implemented, I believe that there was some incorrect
information put put on there about a resident and that resident had to call up to the town and say, "Wait a minute, this is not right." So either we get a mythbuster page for the mythbuster page and we just get rid of it all. Um and that's just for that part of it anyway. All right, that's my spill. So can I uh
abbreviate that to direction to remove immediately the mythbusters page and then return to council with a website policy >> as far as you know what really goes on that website and I I think the big concern is obviously it's being used for
political reasons and we want to avoid that in the future. Does that cover it? >> What you said? Yeah. >> All right. What everybody's in agreeance on. >> Yeah. Move it. And then uh Vice Mayor Sue, you wanted
this added. This is the Slugged and Associates. You had some questions, but they're not here to answer them. >> And then they and they've issued a resigned. >> Yeah, I'm just having a discussion here. >> I guess I'm appointed. >> Excuse me. Um so back to the PBSO item. You guys had discussed possibly
appointing a council member to speak with PBSO, but that wasn't necessarily >> Yeah, we did not direct uh who that might be. >> Tik Tok suggestion. Well, no offense, it seems to me you don't know enough about some of the
history, uh some of the um inconsistent co uh costs that have been paid by certain municipalities and it's sort of willy-nilly. And so, uh, I think
council member Coleman has pointed out some of the serious concerns about why is this in our contract of enhanced services in our town. So, I I I agree that you have a great skill set, but I'm not sure you're fully versed in where
the town's position relative to other municipalities paying for this contract. And I do believe public perception to uh Todd McClendon's point is that it doesn't seem to have changed. How do we justify to the taxpayers that outwardly
looking in it appears almost identical to what we were paying almost threequarters of a million dollars for? >> So no offense. I won with 68% vote and this was my top agenda. So I would like to >> Wait, can I finish?
>> Can I finish? Yes. I don't know enough but I also know that I know the needs of this town enough and I would like to be a part of the discussion at BBSO whether we appoint one or two I would I would love to have somebody who knows it's good to have a positive negative person
with more experience skeptical than me but I would like to be a part of the negotiation >> well you do know that two council members cannot meet in in a private meeting >> so >> then let's figure out a way to do it >> that would be tough >> then we do it all >> I was going to nom nominate you.
>> Okay. >> I I I I know you've taken a lot tonight, but I was honestly I was going to nominate you to, you know, I I have a I have a feeling my passion is going to overload me a little bit, but you know, I I just I again, we've discussed this up here
pretty regularly, but yeah, we can't two of us can't meet with the sheriff at the same time, and that requires multiple meetings and whatever. Um, but yeah, I think and I I I realize this is what you ran on, but you're up here pushing it forward on the first night. I think
you're doing the job that you said you were going to do and we now there is a process and there is procedures. So, unfortunately, sometimes we have to follow those. So, I think you know that's the direction to go >> and I do you know we will obviously have
discussion on this and >> altering I wanted a fresh face. You guys have done your thing, right? >> No, I have not had any. >> You haven't talked to PBS. >> We had a brief thing with a captain, >> but this was not with the sheriff.
>> This was one of his his designates >> individually. We're not allowed to do this >> individually. I would like a place I would like them to know that we hold a vote. My colleague, Mr. Stevens does. Let's have individual meeting with PBSO.
So are you proposing each council member again get time to >> Yeah, I would. >> I think at this point in time that's not what's >> conducive. I think at right now at this point we need to open if you're wanting to open a dialogue. I think the way to open a dialogue is the most
>> poignant way possible. The mayor is the the you know the figure >> I don't know how to say this right without >> tried before. We want a fresh Okay. Lisa Lisa met with the captain right? I met with nobody because I couldn't make
their meeting. So, you know, I'm just saying I think I I honestly and there's going to be discussion afterwards and Lisa is not going to make a unilateral decision. >> I understand. So, I'm saying first, do we agree we are sending a message to people? If you say wholeheartedly you're going to reestablish that relationship,
then I will support you. If you're hesitant, then I don't want you to represent. >> Is that okay? >> I I have stated publicly that I would absolutely support. If you say that then I'll trust you. >> Yes. >> Okay. Good. >> On on obviously they're serious
whether they're perception issues or they're fiscal issues that I think deserve honest answers from the sheriff. >> I understand. I'm saying as long as there is a shift in our behaviors towards them, I support you. If you are going to go with the big ego or we are this and that, then I don't support
that. >> Yeah. No, I I'm not that person. I have voted I voted against the termination as you'll recall. Thank you. >> So, uh a direction would be to >> I would propose a motion >> open a dialogue. >> Can I No, not a motion. Sorry. I would
like to clarify that all of us here wants to reset our relationship with BBSO and we would like Mayor Lisa or Remy to have a negotiation with them with that full support. Is that okay? >> I think Yeah, I think this is we're
opening a dialogue. Yes, I agree. >> Are we clear as mud? >> I think so. I'll try to schedule something for the two of us with them. >> Yes. Yes. I will let you know. I will be out of town the end of next week. >> Okay. So,
>> the next topic, the last one >> now, >> last but not the least. Ready? >> No, we don't have another item on here. >> No, I thought 30 nugget associate, right? >> Oh, yes. >> Yes. Yes. >> Getting late. So my dear colleagues and residents who
are still sticking around at 1110, thank you very much. Uh you know this north road and all those issues we have we have been spending money in all these directions. Okay, we just took some major decision with town manager with
and I'm going to talk about yes there is a resignation but you know people here have been spending our council voted for it $90,000 annually with one lobbyist we have another one colleagues we cannot gamble on future revenues while our residents are dealing with real
infrastructure issues such as north road we need to be resourceful our town manager and staff should be building relationships directly calling neighbor neighborhood municipalities coordinating regionally and you are the new town manager now. Uh I hope you understand
this and take notes. Pursuing grants using cost-effective or free resources. We have a Palm Beach State College right next door to us including partnership with local colleges and universities. The contract I know they resigned but I was going to propose we get terminate
them and at our size of the town let this be a lesson to the administration. Now here from council at least my vote maintaining multiple lobbyists is not a necessity it's a choice and right now the choice come at the expense of roads drainage PBSO and our res and other
things of a resident rely every day so yes they resign I appreciate it but I was going to propose that we terminate them anyway thank you so much >> thank you any other comments >> yeah so I mean it's no it's So,
um, news flash that I support the lobbyists, right? Because I happen to be in a business where I get to see a lot of this these new um, bills and things that come around, how they really affect certain aspects of government, etc. Um,
I can tell you there's not enough time in the day for staff. you know, the minimal office staff that we have, all those 30 people that were talked about earlier don't encompass the entire office staff, right? There's not enough time in the day for the office staff to properly
cultivate the relationships, etc. Right now, currently, we're looking at possibly some uh renewed work being done to the Homage um county park that's right next door that is in our town. Um thanks to, you know, Slug Associates. Uh
we're also looking at we looked at a you know very large grant that never got approved um by council uh that would have it would have been a fraction of of the total monies would have solidified some stuff on Okchobee Road. Um you talk
about Northroad situation talking about the craters I assume that's what we're talking about. You know there was a lot of money spent to pave roads chose by another council right and they didn't touch North Road. They didn't move north on your road,
sir. They didn't move north on Miss El Ramy's road. So, I mean, to say that this is what's causing the problem, I I I'm telling you, as we're sitting here today, we will have more problems coming down the road if we don't have people protecting our us at even at the county level and at the state level. It is
getting very, very difficult. We have a we have a a battle ahead of us. Whether it be Okachobee Boulevard, whether it be Royal Palm trying to swallow us up, whether it be Wellington, Westlake, they're coming and they're coming hard and they're going to eat up our little
town. I'm telling you right now. And there is not no offense to the staff, but there's not enough staff to fight the fight. So, unfortunately, you have to pay contractors for it. And when they when everybody turns around decides we should have had we should have had a
lobbyist in here doing this be surprised when the bill comes because it's going to be a lot more. So, and again the the the I don't even know why we're having this conversation because they resigned their they gave their 30-day notice on their on their contract. So, thank you.
>> Thank you. Public comments. >> Yes, madam mayor. Um first is Todd McClendon. Todd McClendon. I I agree 100% what Paul just talked about. Um, lobbyists are kind of like town attorneys. Nothing nothing offensive here. Yeah.
>> Nobody wants one, but when you need them, you need a good one. When a previous council hired the state lobbyists, I said, "What are we doing? This is out of control." until they bring in 750,000 one year. The local lobbyists brought millions of dollars
here. Previous council flushed it away. The the money we've gotten back from these lobbyists, let alone all the other stuff that they do like pushing for to keep Okobee Boulevard two lane to stop our town getting divided. There's you can't put a dollar amount on that. We're
going to lose our we just lost our local lobbyists. We have a county commissioner right now that's wanting a fourlane Okoi Boulevard. Who's going to fight that? You staff? Really? This is happening now. This isn't something in a couple years we're
going to spend the next eight months trying to find a new town of town manager. You know, this is craziness what's going on here. These lobbyists are we're we're going to be in serious trouble. This is a this is a line >> that we're never going to come back from
now that we've lost this local lobbyist. We're going to lose Okobia Boulevard. That's something we've been fighting for decades for. We're in serious trouble. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> And next um Madame Mayor is um Miss
Corning. >> Thank you, >> Nina Corning. Um my concern with lobbyists are that we don't seem to very be very good at catching conflict of interests. And I don't care which lobbyist it is that you're going to
hire. You need to check out what else is on their agenda. Who else are their clients and what other companies is associated with those clients. You're going to have to do it. Then you are going to have to look at the wherees etc
that you're binding yourself into when you're agreeing to accept a grant. Because in the end sometimes, and I've seen it happen twice in this town for sure, they call it the little sausage
that makes councilman jump to get to that little sausage that's hung over already ahead to go and grab onto it while you're losing out big times behind you because what's actually written into it. And it's happened twice that we've
been had presented something presented that ended up really hurting us or was going to really hurt us. Okay? So please do me a favor, have a really close look of what's proposed, what grants are
proposed. Don't for go for grants that have never been done before. Okay? If they've never been done before, you're not likely to get money for it. And you're not jumping to get retention ponds for public private use that don't bring you any money in in the end
anyhow. This is one of them. So, we need to go and be aware who is fighting for us. There are plenty of people around us that want a piece of us, that want to get through us, over us, you name it. It doesn't matter
whether it's the state or the county. And if we're not aware of what who the players are, we got to stay keep our fingers away from it. Thank you. >> Thank you. So that brings us to staff comments and we'll start with
acting manager uh Valerie Oaks. >> At this time, I just want to thank the council for your confidence um during this acting period. Um I'm here to serve at the pleasure of the council and for the residents of the town. Thank you. >> Thank you. Uh, town attorney Jeff Curts.
>> I'm going to be very brief and that is to tell you that um Enthia will be contacting you all about uh your schedules um to see if we can get a shade session with respect to u the
litigation. Um it's like 444 B road. Um there's an active case uh and uh I want to um meet with uh the two new councilmen uh update them and then I
would like to schedule a shade session with our insurance defense council to discuss that case. Um it it would my suggestion and I know this is going to be tough for Paul. We usually like to do
it about an hour before the regular meeting at five o'clock. Um or we can if it if it's more convenient for you, we can do it at a a at a separate date. Um other than the regular meetings, but Kenya will be in touch with you all
about that in the next couple days. >> It's just hard. It's just hard to get here by >> understand. Uh, Ken, would you like to report as town clerk tonight and then Kenthia can uh, you know, fill in as necessary? >> As town clerk, I do not have a report.
>> Okay. No reports. Thank you, Kenthia. >> You're welcome. >> All right. Uh, community standards director Karen Gardner Young. >> First of all, just want to congratulate the new board members. Welcome aboard. We all look forward to working with you. And I did want to let you know that
April 21st, 8:30 to 10:30, I'm doing basically an open house with the community standards department open to the public to meet and greet the different, you know, building code, uh, planning, zoning. So, it gives everybody an opportunity if you have any questions
or you want to know who the building official is, you want to know who I am, uh, give them an opportunity to come in and visit us here in town hall. >> Okay. Thank you. >> And Mr. flower. We I know you have a 30 minute presentation. You got about two minutes.
>> Good job. Thanks. >> For you. >> Oh, is this the wash? >> Yes. >> So, motion to receive. >> Okay. have a motion to >> Oh, so moved. >> Second. >> Second. >> All right. All those in favor? I
>> Thank you. >> This was our our great rain event of last week and a week ago. 7 and a half inches. >> So, if you see the first picture right there, that's the rain or seven and a
half inches of rain. um the water actually came off of another property that they overflowed so much. And then you get to the fourth picture, that's what their cold pipe was after the water did start going through
it and there was so much water rushing through >> ripped it. >> No, that's um >> No, no, it ripped the dirt and everything off. >> 40 50 years of piping in the ground just totally disintegrated. And was that a plastic pipe or a metal pipe? >> No, that is metal.
>> It was metal. >> Yeah. >> Obviously, you see my guy I did get a picture of him working that he tried to pose as I was taking pictures. All right. Got to get us to Wilbur. I did call three guys in on that Sunday morning to come in and were there until
7 o'clock at night repairing the road. Put a whole new pipe in basic till it was passable. >> Yes. I believe I saw you the next morning. >> Yes, you did. Then this was before the uh before the saw got laid. This was >> this is all the way down by Oak
Boulevard. >> I'm saying but this is before you guys because you guys re recut all that bank right down that we didn't cut. >> Okay. All right. >> We are going down right now replacing all the old cover pipes >> right >> that are tossing from the historical ditches and everything because we don't
know what they look like underground. Problems that we had in previous paving they didn't do that. We are getting sink holes that we are trying to replace these pipes. They were the same exact base. >> So that answers one of the questions I had. The her home's work is replacing
those historic swailes or additional ones for the road >> work. >> Okay. >> I have exact areas where they're putting in catch basin stands and all the pipes >> for the road drainage. >> For road drainage. We are um tying in
road grain on some of the historical ditches as well. >> Okay. >> Permission from the property owner saying, "Hey, yes, we're good >> that we're you getting full written confirmation from them. Hey, you tie it in. All the water's going to go there." So, we can have multiple drainage all the way down. We're putting 12 catch basins in, but we're tying into the
historical ditches as well to get as much drainage off the road as we can. Will we be putting any kind of retention concrete around those those uh culverts that will be utilized for that runoff into the historic ditches? >> They will get the plastic flares on them.
>> Okay. >> And then we will pipe into them. >> Okay. >> We'll have the drainage after coming down into them. >> Okay. >> After we did install the new pipe for this property, they said they never finished dry before. >> Wow. It's a miracle. >> There was nothing there.
>> Yeah. now >> was dirt. >> Does the town ever charge a land owner when this sort of thing happens? I mean, what what is the policy? Cuz this was a full day of three overtime workers materials.
>> Um the pipe wasn't planned already that we were going to replace it. So um if we wanted I mean I don't know if we could assess them if that's what you're looking at. possibly we'd have to talk about what
the circumstances were. >> I would be curious. Um timing obviously wasn't great. So guys, we're so close. >> Yeah. >> Well, there's also the argument that some of those culverts that are crossing are historical and they're they're
actually belong to the you know, I mean, >> you can make you can make the argument that they were here when there was a grove and before the property was developed and you know, whatever. So because it was Yeah. You know, >> I do wonder this property did have a permit for a barn, I believe, of some kind of structure. Was that the one
that's the one property off of Okachchobee, right? So it's the one right behind the nursery there. Yeah. And that's just Yes. And they got a permit for a building. Did they do an FDA on that property? Do you know?
>> I don't know this I don't know the circumstances and >> because it's a relatively recent building. I don't know if the building has been erected. I just remember in the quarterly reports we were talking about that permit being issued and I >> if if it was um you know post 2018 then
uh they should >> Yeah, they got a permit in like the last six months. So yeah, I'm I'm just curious if there was an FDA which >> in these FDAs obviously there's a lot of site work dealing with drainage and I would imagine these culvert pipes get replaced at that time potentially. Yeah.
Okay. All right. I'd be curious to hear what that whether that was the case. So, >> you know, this is just progress of us redoing the canal bank. This is the longest canal bank that the town's ever done. You know, all the other ones were little pieces here and there. I mean,
town staff have done say that it's continuous. We're at over a mile right now of continuous canal bank that we replaced. replacing the canal bank at a two to one compared to everything now that we have is more of a one to one. So we're putting a longer bank to try to
keep erosion. >> All right. >> Um fur homes is currently in right now they're doing the the swailes. They're coming in I want to say next week with the catch basins start dropping catch basins in. Um it matters on the rain all this week if that's going to stop them
as well. They're going to they're starting on collecting right now. that just started putting in the Culbert dams. Um, some reason somebody got all their treidity barriers out there. >> Seriously. >> Yeah. I keep fixing them and so does that.
>> Wow. >> Um, but they are starting on that next week, moving the crew that's over there on a road and getting to collecting canal. They're bringing their other crew out of another county that they're working at right now and bringing them over here to
what? So, they'll have two crews running at one time. >> Okay. >> Um, as you see here, this was today. An illegal dumping that we found today. So, >> does anyone need any new living room furniture? >> Yeah.
>> In the middle of the road. >> I almost called you yesterday or day before yesterday. I was riding my back. Oh, yeah. Absolutely. I was shopping. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> It was an Easter find, I guess. >> I thought about it. He took you to the dress. That would make some good
secret. >> So, all right. >> We're moving forward. Her homes is pushing it. So, we're getting there. >> Well, the rain has started to arrive. >> Good and bad. Good and bad, for sure. >> Where the rain puts out the fires up north. >> Exactly. >> Fires everywhere. >> Yeah.
>> Yeah. All right. Super. So, uh, council member seat one, I believe that is >> show. >> Yeah. I'll just say uh thank you to Craig Lau who took me on a ride around just a few days ago. We went uh all over town. I
guess what maybe an hour and a half you and I spent together and just showing me different projects, things. So, a lot of these pictures you and I were there that day and and u man it was just you can't put a price on something like that. And I recommend that every council member uh do that if Mr. Low schedule allows. Uh
it's just so valuable. So, thank you again, sir. >> Thank you, Paul. Um question >> the question um the uh thing of digger >> with the slotted bucket right I I know
you guys are hitting I know it's custom I know you guys kind of hit some like you know some hot spots where we usually find stuff and you go clean it out we've had this conversation you guys do you guys run um North Road from E east ever because that's a very low canal and it's
full of so it gets a lot of debris in We do run it like when we go to do like a garbage pick, >> you know, we'll run all the way down for picking garbage, but um the only canal. You're asking if we're dredging >> not dredge it, but >> just clean the debris out. Yeah, we do go down and do like a full like once a
month of going around. It's one of those things of there's so much garbage going in the canals that gets flung. We can only keep up with it so much that we're trying to once it gets congested in one area. >> Okay, cool. I just somebody asked me so I want to be able to answer the question.
>> Yes sir. >> Um Mr. Curts >> we posed the question a while back um SP 180 the time frame.
Was that adjusted because of the freeze because that was designated a natural or state of emergency? I'm really concerned that uh >> I am I apologize. I need to review that
and get you an answer. I will uh uh have Kenya remind me uh to get that out to you and I will send a transmitter. Looks like I really messed it up. >> Yeah. >> So, all right. Um that was it. Yeah.
Welcome Manish and Joe. Um, I' I've learned over the past, you know, few months. I I don't I try not to think take things personal up here. Um, but, you know, so I mean, it's all in the in
the course of of we're all passionate about doing this, I would hope, because that's why we're doing it and we're all passionate about the town. So, I think it's all in the course of getting business done and hopefully we come out in a in a positive direction. So, um, again, welcome and congratulations,
mayor, vice mayor. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. >> Uh, we have two more council member comments and it's 11:30, which was my 30 minute deadline. >> Yeah. Motion to extend five minutes. >> Five. >> Good with five. >> Good with five. All right. Motion uh uh all those in favor?
>> I >> I motion approve 40. >> Okay. >> Vice Mayor Sud. >> Okay. Well, residents, thank you for staying late, being involved. uh this speaks you know 11:30 we have to be there but you don't have to so thank you you elected us to deliver results and
you saw some major action today but I will tell you this is just the beginning we we haven't even started yet what did we accomplish today and I'll say that question every night when we finish this meeting what did we accomplish strengthening oversight improving public
safety fiscal responsibility restoring public participation and focusing on measurable outcomes I will ask the town manager, acting town manager, welcome. You have our full support. You now have
the authority as a real town manager to take this team forward as a leader. You have our support. In the next meeting, please come prepared with key performance metrics for all departments and establish a framework for regular public reporting such as publishing data
on our website. how many potholes we filled, what did we do, how many miles of canal banks we fixed, and things of that nature. I would also ask you to work on repealing resolution 2025-08. Uh, I trust our new mayor, but the prior
mayor had extraordinary power given to her where she could sign single-handedly any new grant. In the next meeting, I would like that to be bring bringing forward to appeal it, repeal it. Please make all grant applications and any such
agreements with the partners public records and available on the town website. Uh we may not always agree on every issue as you saw today and I agree with Mr. Coleman. We are all here for one reason which is to make this town
better. So we may disagree, we may argue, but that's the shared objective. And dear town lossachi leadership team, which means us and you all, let's stay focused, let's stay disciplined, and most importantly, let's stay committed
to the people we serve. Thank you. >> Thank you. Uh yes, welcome up here to the fun side of the room >> and uh thank you all for your patience this evening. There was a lot going on. Uh I would ask that we don't have
presentations in some upcoming meetings because we do have a lot of business to attend to. Perhaps you just you since you bring such pretty pictures. Uh addition of public comments on non-aggenda items
back to the start of the meeting. I I don't agree to do a workshop at this time um because they have historically taken in in extreme cases taken a lot of time. So just public comments on non-aggenda items. Uh I think that I'd
like to empower my fellow council members um to make suggestions on agenda items. uh whether they submit via email. I would I would leave that up to the acting town manager on how she would
like to receive those. Um obviously we want to streamline these meetings so that they're more efficient and timely. Um but maybe by adding some second meeting times we can get through some of this quicker. So I um I think
everybody's confidence in and putting me in as the mayor. uh I would like to to make sure that we do serve the people and we bring back a lot of the the issues that have brought us here to sit on this day as together. So I look
forward to working with everybody on that. So with that motion to adjurnn. >> All those in favor? I >> opposed none. Motion pass 4 zero. Thank you.