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