09-27-2018 VC WS-MMINUTES OF THE WORKSHOP SESSION
VILLAGE COUNCIL OF NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA
SEPTEMBER 27, 2018
Present: David B. Norris, Mayor
Mark Mullinix, Vice Mayor
Susan Bickel, President Pro Tem
Darryl C. Aubrey, Sc.D., Councilmember
Deborah Searcy, Councilmember
Andrew D. Lukasik, Village Manager
Len Rubin, Village Attorney
Melissa Teal, Village Clerk
ROLL CALL
Mayor Norris called the meeting to order at 8:43 p.m. All members of Council were present.
All members of staff were present.
CODE AMENDMENTS — BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
Mr. Rubin reviewed a proposed ordinance revising the Code provisions applicable to Village
boards and committees and providing for the creation of an Environmental/Beautification
Advisory Board.
Mr. Rubin discussed revisions to Section 2-1, Boards and Committees, of the Village Code of
Ordinances including changing the number of members from five to seven; adding language to
provide that appointments to fill vacancies shall be for the remainder of the unexpired term; no
meetings shall begin prior to 5:30 p.m. and shall adjourn on or before 11:00 p.m.; increasing the
quorum requirement from three to four; and, revising the language regarding absences to define
the 12 -month period as May 1 st to April 30th and requiring notification of excessive absences to
the Council by the Village Clerk instead of the chairperson.
Mr. Rubin noted that alternates currently have one-year terms, while regular members have
terms of two or three years, depending on the board or committee. In order to provide for
staggered terms, Mr. Rubin recommended that Council determine the terms of board members
during annual appointments at its April meeting.
Mr. Rubin discussed the Construction Board of Adjustment and Appeals. Mr. Rubin advised
there is a statutory procedure that provides for appeal of the building official's interpretation of
the building code to a state board, which renders an opinion. Discussion took place concerning
the process. Because there have been no appeals to the Board since 2005, consensus of Council
was to dissolve the Construction Board of Adjustment and Appeals.
Mr. Rubin reviewed proposed revisions concerning the Golf Advisory Board and Library
Advisory Board.
Regarding the Business Advisory Board, Mr. Rubin requested that councilmembers inform him
or the Village Clerk if there are any changes needed in the powers and duties of the Board;
otherwise, the Board would only need to be re -activated and members re -appointed.
Minutes of Village Council Workshop Session held September 27, 2018 Page 2 of 2
Discussion took place concerning combining the Planning Commission and Zoning Board of
Adjustment. Mr. Rubin stated combining these boards could be done now as part of the proposed
�- ordinance or it could wait until the land development code is rewritten. Council consensus was
that the Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Adjustment be combined, with the Planning
Commission serving both functions. Discussion ensued regarding the professions that are
required to be represented on the Planning Commission. Mr. Rubin related the professions
enumerated in Section 21-11(b) of the Village Code and suggested that three of the seven members
need not be any particular business or profession.
Discussion was held regarding creation of an Environmental/Beautification Advisory Board and
its duties and responsibilities. Suggestions for matters the Board may be asked to consider
included public spaces; appearance of parks and medians; street beautification (neighborhoods);
encouraging community involvement; offering advice on appropriate or alternative plants for
streets and swales; green spaces; community gardens. Discussion ensued on charging the Board
with awarding house (or yard) of the month or of the quarter. By consensus, the Council was in
favor of two-year terms.
Discussion took place concerning whether there should be some additional membership
requirements, such as a Recreation Advisory Board member who is a parent of small children,
or a Waterways Board member who has a boat in the marina, or one who lives on the water.
Additional topics addressed included whether to require regularly scheduled meetings or rotating
the office of chairperson. Regarding additional membership requirements, it was determined that
the appointment of persons filling these categories be encouraged but not required. Mr. Rubin
will include language to that effect in the ordinance.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to come before the Council, the meeting adjourned at 9:09 p.m.
Melissa Teal, MMC, Village Clerk