Feb 05, 2026 City Council

[00:00:01]

OH, THERE WE GO. THANK YOU SO MUCH. I'D LIKE TO CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER, AND IF YOU WILL PLEASE RISE,

[Call to Order]

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS.

ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLL? MAYOR TINSLEY HERE. VICE MAYOR MIDDLETON HERE.

COUNCIL MEMBER. REED HERE. COUNCIL MEMBER. ROSSO HERE.

COUNCIL MEMBER. KEMP HERE. THANK YOU. PATTY. ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONS, DELETIONS OR MODIFICATIONS? NO, MA'AM. THANK YOU. AND NOW ANNOUNCEMENTS AND PRESENTATION.

[IV. ANNOUNCEMENTS / PRESENTATIONS: ]

I WANT TO GET THE WHOLE THING.

OKAY, WE'LL CHANGE IT UP A LITTLE BIT HERE AND FACE IN THE AUDIENCE.

SO I REMEMBER BACK IN 2016 AND 2017 WHEN I WAS THE MAYOR AND I TOOK MARIA UNDER MY WING, AND WE PROCEEDED TO ATTEND WHAT FELT LIKE EVERY EVENT IN PALM BEACH GARDENS.

AND BEFORE I WAS TERMED OUT, I THOUGHT I WAS BUSY.

AND THEN I WATCHED MARIA, OH MY GOODNESS, AND LOOK AT HER NOW.

AND SHE KEPT GOING, THAT'S FOR SURE. IT'S A TRUE HONOR TO PRESENT THIS PROCLAMATION TO MISS MARIA.

AND THIS RESOLUTION IS SO IMPRESSIVE AND LONG.

VERY LONG. AND THAT FOR THE SAKE OF TIME, I'M GOING TO HIGHLIGHT THE KEY PARTS.

BUT TRUST ME, EVERY WORD IS VERY, VERY WELL DESERVED.

SO I'M GOING TO READ THIS PROCLAMATION VERY LONG.

OKAY. THAT'S A SCROLL. RIGHT? EXACTLY. WHEREAS MARIA MARINO IS A LONG TIME RESIDENT OF THE CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS, A DEDICATED AND COMMITTED PUBLIC SERVANT AND RECOGNIZED CHAMPION DEDICATED TO IMPROVING OUR COMMUNITY'S QUALITY OF LIFE.

AND WHEREAS MARIA BEGAN HER PUBLIC SERVICE CAREER IN 2014, SERVING ON THE CITY'S PARK AND REC ADVISORY BOARD, SHE WAS ELECTED TO THE CITY COUNCIL FROM 2016 TO 2020, BEING APPOINTED TO TWO TERMS AS MAYOR WAS ELECTED AS PALM BEACH COUNTY COMMISSIONER FOR DISTRICT 1 IN 2020, AND THEN REELECTED IN 2024 AND SERVED AS MAYOR OF PALM BEACH COUNTY.

AND WHEREAS, MARIA IS WIDELY RESPECTED AND INFLUENTIAL LEADER WHOSE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ACROSS LOCAL AND REGIONAL BOARDS.

SHE HAS BEEN ENTRUSTED TO CHAIR SOME OF THE REGION'S MOST CONSEQUENTIAL BODIES, INCLUDING THE TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, THE TRI-RAIL, SOLID WASTE AUTHORITY, MPO, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT BOARD AND MANY, MANY MORE.

WHEREAS MARIA'S LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP EXTENDS TO THE STATE AND NATIONAL LEVELS, THROUGH HER SERVICE AS VICE CHAIR OF THE FAC, THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES ENERGY LAND USE STEERING COMMITTEE, INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION COUNCIL.

WHEREAS MARIA'S MANY MOMENTOUS AWARDS INCLUDE THE 2019 WOMEN OF EXCELLENCE FACS PRESIDENTIAL ADVOCACY AWARD, LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE AWARD AND BEING DESIGNATED WOMAN OF THE YEAR IN 2017 BY THE PALM BEACH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, AND RECEIVING THEIR FIRST ANNUAL EXCELLENCE IN MENTORSHIP AWARD IN 2023.

AND WHEREAS, A NEARLY 30 YEAR MEMBER OF THE LADIES PROFESSIONAL GOLF ASSOCIATION, THE G.A.

MARIA HAS DISTINGUISHED HERSELF AS A LEADER AND AMBASSADOR OF THE SPORT.

SHE WAS INDUCTED INTO THE PALM BEACH COUNTY SPORTS HALL OF FAME.

WHEREAS MARIA HAS BEEN ACTIVELY INVOLVED WITH OVER 30 NON-PROFITS AND IS AN IMPACT OF THE PALM BEACHES MEMBER SERVES WITH THE CHILDREN'S GOLF FOUNDATION. THE FIRST TEE OF THE PALM BEACHES HAS CO-CHAIRED PALM BEACH COUNTY CARES, HAS SERVED AS PRESIDENT OF THE EDNA W RUNNER TUTORIAL CENTER AND BOARD MEMBER OF THE FORUM CLUB.

AND WHEREAS THE CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS RECOGNIZES THE BOLD LEADERSHIP, DYNAMIC CAREER, AND EXTRAORDINARY LIFE OF MARIA G. MORENO, WHOSE COMMITMENT TO ECONOMIC GROWTH, IMPROVED DEVELOPMENT AND STRATEGIC INITIATIVES ARE

[00:05:06]

NOW, THEREFORE, I. MARCY. MARCY. MARCY. TINSLEY, BY VIRTUE OF THE AUTHORITY VESTED IN ME AS MAYOR OF THE CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS, FLORIDA, DO HEREBY HONOR THE LEGACY OF PUBLIC SERVICE, PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS, AND CHARITABLE CHARITABLE PHILANTHROPY.

MARIA, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO FOR OUR CITY, FOR THE COUNTY.

WE TRULY APPRECIATE IT AND IT'S SUCH A BLESSING.

AND WE HAVE SOMETHING SPECIAL RIGHT HERE FOR YOU AS WELL.

AM I SUPPOSED TO SAY ANYTHING? YOU CAN DO THAT IF YOU CERTAINLY HAVE THE.

WE WOULD LOVE FOR THAT. THANK YOU. GIVE ME A HUG.

WITHOUT TEARS IN MY EYES, I'M GOING TO SAY THAT I'M WITH FAMILY.

AND I SAY THAT ALL THE TIME. AND I ALWAYS FEEL LIKE I'M COMING HOME WHEN I COME INTO THESE CHAMBERS.

AND I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR ALL THE SUPPORT OVER THE YEARS THAT YOU'VE GIVEN ME AND THE REST OF THE COUNCIL AS THEY TRY TO DO THE THE BEST WORK THAT THEY CAN.

AND THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING ME. AS I SAID, PALM BEACH GARDENS IS MY HOME.

I'VE LIVED HERE SINCE 1985, SO IF I WAS BORN IN 85, THEN I'D HAVE BEEN, YOU KNOW, THE HOMETOWN GIRL.

AND I COULD I COULD SAY I WAS THE MAYOR OF MY HOMETOWN, BUT I'VE LIVED HERE LONG ENOUGH THAT IT IS MY HOMETOWN.

AND EVEN THOUGH I'M NOT A NATIVE, I AM A LOCAL.

AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE AND FOR THE RECOGNITION.

I REALLY APPRECIATE IT. OKAY. OKAY.

THANK YOU. YES, YES. OH, CAN YOU GET THE BOX? YOU WANT TO HOLD YOUR FLOWERS OR CAN I JUST TAKE A PICTURE? OH, YEAH, YOU CAN DO IT. MARCIE. HOLD IT TOGETHER.

BEAUTIFUL. I TOLD YOU, TWO TALLER THAN US. I'LL MAKE MY HANDS LONGER.

ALL RIGHT. SURE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. YOU'RE GOOD.

I KNOW. I LOVE THE NEW WALL, BY THE WAY. YES.

LET'S GO. THREE. TWO. ONE. THANK YOU. MARIA.

WE GOT PATTY. PATTY IS YOUR NAME? PATTY. YOU HAVE TO SIGN IT.

OH. ERIC LILLY SAID. YES. I HAD THEM WATCHING IT AT HOME. YOU ALL ARE VERY SPECIAL TO ME.

AND I'M RUNNING OFF BECAUSE I HAVE TO GO TO GREEN ACRES AND ADDRESS ANOTHER CLASS.

THAT WAS AWESOME. AND NEXT WEEK IS THE FIRE RAPID INTERVENTION INTERVENTION TEAM, RETT COMPETITION AND EXCELLENCE IN COMMUNITY PUBLIC EDUCATION AWARD, PRESENTED BY OUR ASSISTANT CHIEF OF OPERATION ANDREW.

WELCOME. PLEASE COME TO THE PODIUM.

GOOD EVENING. HOW ARE YOU ALL DOING TONIGHT? SO I AM HONORED WE I'M UP HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT TWO AWARDS THAT ARE FIRE DEPARTMENT JUST ACHIEVED. ONE FROM THE STATE. ACTUALLY, BOTH ARE FROM THE STATE.

THE FIRST ONE I'M GOING TO SPEAK ABOUT IS THE PUBLIC EDUCATION OF HEALTH. HEART SAFE AWARD FOR 2026, IF THAT'S OKAY. IN JANUARY 2026, PALM BEACH GARDENS FIRE RESCUE RECEIVED AN EXCELLENCE IN COMMUNITY PUBLIC EDUCATION AWARD PRESENTED BY THE FLORIDA FIRE CHIEFS ASSOCIATION.

THIS AWARD RECOGNIZED OUR DEPARTMENT FOR OUR HEART SAFE PROGRAM.

OUR HEART SAFE PROGRAM INCLUDES HANDS-ONLY, CPR, AED USE, EDUCATION AND CITY PUBLIC ACCESS PROGRAM AND ENROLLMENT IN PULSEPOINT, A MOBILE APPLICATION THAT ALERTS CPR TRAINED CITIZENS TO SUSPECTED CARDIAC ARREST IN PUBLIC LOCATIONS AND DIRECTS THEM TO THE CLOSEST AED.

CURRENTLY, THE CITY HAS 33 PUBLIC ACCESS AEDS AND 340 AD REGISTERED IN PULSE POINT.

WE FURTHER ENHANCED OUR HEART SAFE PROGRAM THROUGH OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH PROJECT ADAM, WHICH IS A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED PROGRAM THAT PREPARES SCHOOLS, SPORTING PROGRAMS AND COMMUNITY SITES TO BECOME HEART SAFE.

TRAINING INCLUDES WORKING WITH STAFF TO DEVELOP A CARDIAC EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM.

[00:10:02]

SINCE IMPLEMENTING PROJECT ADAM AT ALL PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND THE MAJORITY OF PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN PALM BEACH, GARDENS ARE NOW DESIGNATED HEART SAFE THROUGH PROJECT ADAM.

IN ADDITION, COMMUNITY FACILITIES SUCH AS BURKE, THE POOL, THE TENNIS CENTER, GOLF COURSES AND RIVERSIDE YOUTH ENRICHMENT CENTER ALSO HAVE EARNED HEART SAFE DESIGNATION WITHIN OUR YOUTH ATHLETICS.

PPBG YA BASEBALL HAS ACHIEVED 100% OF COMPLETION, WITH SOCCER AND FOOTBALL EXPECTED TO BE FULLY COMPLIANT BY MARCH.

ALL OUR EFFORTS ARE PAYING OFF. PALM BEACH GARDENS REPORTS ALL OUR CARDIAC ARREST DATA TO CARDIAC ARREST REGISTRY TO ENHANCE SURVIVAL.

THIS REGISTRY IS MAINTAINED BY EMORY UNIVERSITY AND COMPARES OUR DATA TO STATE AND NATIONAL AVERAGES FOR 2025.

OUR DATA SHOWS THAT WE ARE 23% SURVIVAL RATING WITH GOOD NEUROLOGICAL OUTCOMES, COMPARED TO 17.1 STATEWIDE AND 6.7 NATIONALLY. ONCE AGAIN, WE ARE AT 23%, SAVING LIVES AND PEOPLE WALKING OUT OF THE HOSPITAL NEUROLOGICALLY INTACT AFTER HAVING CARDIAC ARREST COMPARED TO THE STATE, WHICH THEY ARE ONLY AT 7.1%, AND NATIONALLY IT'S ONLY AT 6.7%.

SO KUDOS TO NOT ONLY OUR DEPARTMENT, BUT TO THE COMMUNITY ITSELF FOR DOING SUCH A GREAT JOB.

OKAY, ON TO OUR NEXT AWARD. PALM BEACH GARDENS FIRE RESCUE PROUDLY TOOK PART IN 2026 RAPID INTERVENTION TEAM COMPETITION, HELD IN ORLANDO AND HOSTED BY THE FLORIDA FIRE CHIEFS ASSOCIATION A RAPID INTERVENTION TEAM, OR RIT, IS A SPECIALIZED FIREFIGHTER TEAM THAT RESCUES DOWNED FIREFIGHTERS AND ARE DEPLOYED BY FIRE DEPARTMENTS AT LIVE FIRE INCIDENTS AS PART OF THE FIREFIGHTER SAFETY PRACTICE. 26 TEAMS COMPETED IN A TWO DAY EVENT WHERE TEAMS WERE PUT THROUGH INTENSE STRESS SITUATIONS DESIGNED TO REFLECT REAL LIFE EMERGENCIES WHERE FIREFIGHTERS MAY BECOME TRAPPED, INJURED, OR UNABLE TO ESCAPE.

AFTER THE FIRST DAY OF COMPETITION, TOP FIVE TEAMS WERE THE FASTEST SCORERS ADVANCED TO THE FINALS.

THE FINAL SCENARIO WAS BASED ON A REAL LIFE INCIDENT INVOLVING FIREFIGHTER CHRISTOPHER ROY FROM WORCESTERSHIRE, MASSACHUSETTS, WHO LOST HIS LIFE IN DECEMBER OF 2018.

THE SCENARIO WAS DESIGNED TO HONOR HIS MEMORY WHILE CHALLENGING TEAMS TO RESPOND TO REALISTIC, EMOTIONALLY DEMANDING RESCUE SITUATIONS. THE COURSE UTILIZED THE SAME FLOOR PLAN AS THE HOUSE THAT FIREFIGHTER ROY DIED IN, AND THE RESCUE MANNEQUIN LIED IN THE ROOM WHERE HE WAS FOUND.

OUT OF 26 PARTICIPATING TEAMS, PALM BEACH GARDENS FIRE RESCUE EARNED FIRST PLACE BY COMPLETING THE COURSE IN JUST EIGHT MINUTES AND 49 SECONDS, SHOWCASING EXPERT EXPECTATION, TEAMWORK, PREPAREDNESS, AND COMMITMENT TO SAVING LIVES.

I WOULD LIKE TO NOW CALL UP TO THE PODIUM WITH ME OUR 2026 STATE CHAMPIONS CAPTAIN MIKE LAROSA, CAPTAIN JAKE RADEMACHER, LIEUTENANT BRUCE DONOFRIO, LIEUTENANT CHARLES MORAN, AND FIREFIGHTER PAULO VAZ.

WE NOW HAVE A SHORT VIDEO THAT WE'D LIKE TO SHARE OF THE COMPETITION.

THEN AFTER THE VIDEO, WE WOULD BE HONORED TO HAVE THE COUNCIL TO COME DOWN AND HAVE A TAKE A PICTURE WITH THE WINNING TEAM, IF THAT'S POSSIBLE.

I'M ROLLING. THUNDER. POURING RAIN. I'M COMING ON LIKE A HURRICANE.

[00:15:05]

I'LL. OPEN THAT UP FOR ME. THERE'S ONE THING I'D LIKE TO MENTION. THEY HAD TO DO THAT COMPLETELY BLINDFOLDED.

SO WE HAVE. THEY ARE COMPLETELY ON AIR. MEANING THEY HAVE THEIR SCBA PACKS ON WHICH WE USE IN REAL FIRES AND THEY ARE COMPLETELY BLINDFOLDED. WE HAVE ONE OF OUR FIREFIGHTERS, CAPTAIN RADEMACHER.

HE'S IN A ROOM COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM OUR FIREFIGHTERS, AND HE'S ACTUALLY CONTROLLING, KIND OF TELLING THEM WHAT'S GOING ON. AND HE'S THE COMMAND.

SO IT'S A IT'S A REALLY HONOR. IT'S A VERY HARD EVENT TO DO.

SO IF YOU ALL IF YOU COULD PLEASE COME DOWN, WE'D LOVE TO HAVE A PICTURE WITH OUR TROPHY BOYS.

OKAY. YOU WANT TO SHOW IT? I LOVE IT. OH, YEAH. OF COURSE.

I COULD SEE YOU.

IN THE. SEA. YEAH, I KNOW.

OKAY. AND YOU ARE THERE. PERFECT, PERFECT. ALRIGHT, HERE WE GO.

THREE. TWO. ONE. GO RIGHT THERE. YEAH.

SO. THERE'S ANOTHER ONE.

RIGHT. YEAH. CONGRATULATIONS.

THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH FOR SHARING THAT. I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU DO WHAT YOU DO, BUT YOU ARE SUPER IMPRESSIVE AND YOU BLOW US AWAY WITH THE STATISTICS EVERY YEAR.

SO WE REALLY APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO FOR OUR CITY, AND WE THANK EVERYTHING THAT YOU ALL DO FOR US.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH. ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU.

AND NEXT WE HAVE COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC FOR ITEMS THAT ARE NOT ON THE AGENDA.

[V. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC]

AND STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS. GOOD EVENING MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBERS AND STAFF.

FOR THE RECORD, MY NAME IS ROGER SMITH. I'M THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF TBC CORPORATION, LOCATED AT 42 60 DESIGN CENTER ROAD, JUST CLOSE BY. WE'RE THE FOURTH LARGEST EMPLOYER IN PALM BEACH GARDENS.

I'M HERE TONIGHT ON BEHALF OF THE OF THE PGA CORRIDOR ASSOCIATION, WHERE I SERVE AS THE BOARD MEMBER ON BEHALF OF THIS ASSOCIATION.

WE WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND OUR GRATITUDE TO COMMISSIONER MARINO.

ALTHOUGH SHE'S LEFT OR BUT BUT GOT TO GET HERE EARLY, I GUESS.

[00:20:05]

OUR MISSION IS TO PRESERVE AND ENHANCE AND PROMOTE A PGA CORRIDOR AS THE PREMIER BUSINESS LOCATION IN FLORIDA.

WE WANT TO THANK THE COUNCIL FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF THE BUSINESS.

AND THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME TALK. SO THANK YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH AND THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

WELCOME. WE APPRECIATE IT. OKAY. NOW WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON TO OUR CITY MANAGER REPORT.

[VI. CITY MANAGER REPORT]

MAYOR COUNCIL MEMBERS WE HAVE SEVERAL ITEMS TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION TONIGHT.

YOU KNOW, I'VE TOLD YOU THAT TIME AND TIME AGAIN, WE WILL BRING PROGRESS REPORTS TO YOU OF OUR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROJECTS.

AND WE HAVE A COUPLE OF OTHER ISSUES WE'D LIKE TO BRING.

SO TODD, OUR CITY ENGINEER, HAS FIVE PROJECTS TO BRING YOU UP TO DATE ON IF TODD TAKE IT AWAY. GOOD EVENING. COUNCIL TODD ENGEL, CITY ENGINEER.

OUR FIRST CIP PROJECT IS ACTUALLY NOT ONE OF OUR CIP PROJECTS, ACTUALLY A PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP WITH PALM BEACH NORTH ATHLETIC FOUNDATION.

AND IT IS THE INDOOR ICE RINK AT PLANT DRIVE PARK.

SO JUST GIVING YOU A LITTLE UPDATE ON THE PROJECT.

THIS IS WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE NOW. DEMO HAS BEEN COMPLETE.

THEY ARE STARTING TO GO VERTICAL. FOUNDATION HAS BEEN LAID. THEY'RE BRINGING IN THEIR PREFAB WALLS. THEY ACTUALLY TRUCKED THESE IN OFF SITE AND THEN LAY THEM UP SO YOU CAN SEE IT'S STARTING TO TAKE SHAPE. WHERE WE HAVE THE WHERE THE SHEETS OF ICE ARE GOING TO GO AND ALL THE OTHER JOINT AREAS.

JUST ANOTHER VIEW OF THE PROGRESS THE INFRASTRUCTURE IS GOING IN.

THEY'RE TYING IN WATER AND SEWER. A LOT OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE WORK ON THE ROADWAYS WILL BE DONE IN THE SUMMER, OBVIOUSLY, TO NOT AFFECT THE SCHOOL. NEXT PROJECT IS THE RCA ROUNDABOUT.

WE WERE GIVEN THE ROUNDABOUT BETWEEN THE FDOT AND PALM BEACH COUNTY ABOUT SEPTEMBER OF LAST YEAR WAS OUR FINAL TAKING, AND WE'VE COMPLETED OUR FIRST IMPROVEMENT, WHICH IS A ROUNDABOUT ON RCA.

THERE. YOU SEE IT IN FULL ACTION. TOOK US A WHILE TO GET THE TRAFFIC THERE, BUT WE WE GOT THE TRAFFIC.

IT'S ACTUALLY WORKING REALLY WELL. PEOPLE AROUND ALL THE PROPERTY OWNERS PARTICIPATED AND WE GOT IT DONE.

NEXT PROJECT IS THE KYOTO GARDENS DRIVE BRIDGE AND INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS.

THE BRIDGE HAS BEEN COMPLETE AND WE'RE WAITING TO TIE IN THE SIDEWALKS FROM THE INTERSECTION. IMPROVEMENTS ON MILITARY TRAIL. SEE IF I COULD SPEED THIS UP A LITTLE BIT.

AND THEN HERE WE ARE ON THE MILITARY TRAIL IMPROVEMENTS.

WE ARE CREATING A TEN FOOT SIDEWALK, BIKE LANE, AND ADDITIONAL TURN LANE INTO WINCHESTER COURTS.

COMPLETING THE IRRIGATION AS YOU SEE RIGHT NOW.

AND THEN WE'LL BE MOVING INTO SOD. WITH THAT.

HOLD ON. THERE WE GO. WE'LL BE OPENING THIS LANE, AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO BE CLOSING THIS WEST WEST SIDE LANE HERE OF THE NORTHBOUND TRAFFIC TO CREATE ANOTHER TURN LANE. THAT TURN LANE WILL GO FROM MILITARY TRAIL ON THE KYOTO GARDENS DRIVE.

AND ON MONDAY, WE INSTALLED A NEW MASTODON TO HANDLE THAT TRAFFIC.

NEXT IS THE DISTRICT PARK FIELDHOUSE. THIS IS THE LATEST RENDERING.

I DON'T THINK YOU'VE SEEN THIS. WE'VE ADDED ALL THE STUFF IT TAKES TO ACTUALLY RUN THE BACK OF HOUSE OF THE BUILDING FOR THE FIELDHOUSE. WE'VE ADDED THAT IN.

WE'VE ACTUALLY FUNDED THE PLAYGROUND. AND AGAIN THERE'LL BE SIX BASKETBALL.

12 VOLLEYBALL, 18 PICKLE AND THE ABILITY TO RUN SEVERAL OTHER PROGRAMS OUT OF THIS FACILITY.

HERE'S WHERE WE ARE TODAY. IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE A LOT, BUT THE SLAB WE'VE POURED IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS, THAT IS ACTUALLY AN ACRE AND A HALF OF CONCRETE THERE.

SO IT IS NOT A SMALL SLAB STARTING THE SKELETON OF THE BUILDING.

ONCE WE FINISH THAT, WE'LL DO THE BUILD OUT, COMPLETE THE PARKING AND BE READY FOR OPERATION.

OUR NEXT PROJECT IS THE COCONUT BOULEVARD EXTENSION.

IT'S GOING TO RUN FROM ITS CURRENT TERMINUS NEAR PANTHER NATIONAL UP TO THE BEELINE HIGHWAY.

A MUCH, MUCH NEEDED IMPROVEMENT FOR THE NORTHLAKE AREA OUT THERE.

THE DEVELOPER HAD THE OBLIGATION TO DO TWO LANES.

THE CITY PAID FOR THE ADDITIONAL TWO LANES. SO WHEN WE'RE OPEN, IT WILL BE A FULL FOUR LANE DIVIDED HIGHWAY.

THIS IS WHERE WE ARE TODAY. TERMINUS OF COCONUT.

THIS IS ACTUALLY A PEOPLE CROSSING HERE TO GET INTO THE PRESERVE AREA.

THERE'S THIS IS GOING TO BE ACTUALLY STARTING TO BE PAVED TOMORROW.

TOMORROW AND MONDAY THEY'LL PAVE ABOUT THREE QUARTERS OF A MILE OF ROADWAY, AND YOU'LL SEE THE AREAS THAT THEY'RE GOING TO PAVE.

AND YOU CAN SEE AS THEY ADVANCE FURTHER UP, THEY'RE PUTTING IN THE DRAINAGE, THEY'RE DOING THE SWALES, THEY'RE PUTTING IN THE CRITTER CROSSINGS. AS WE MOVE FORWARD, THERE'S A CRITTER CROSSING RIGHT THERE SEEMS TO BE VERY POPULAR.

[00:25:04]

AND THIS IS ITS CURRENT TERMINUS. WE HAVE CSX.

WE GOT TO STILL CROSS. WE HAVE THE BEELINE HIGHWAY TO DO MEDIAN OPENINGS AND TURN LANES AND COMPLETE THE BOY SCOUT CROSSING.

HERE. THERE WILL BE A BRIDGE THERE BECAUSE WE HAVE TO CLOSE DOWN THEIR CROSSING TO GET THIS CROSSING HERE.

SO WE HAD TO GIVE UP ONE TO GET ONE. SO WE'RE STILL ON DATE JANUARY 2027.

WEATHER HAS BEEN PERFECT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION SO FAR OF THIS ROADWAY.

YOU CAN SEE THERE'S A LOT OF PROGRESS MADE, SO WE'LL KEEP OUR FINGERS CROSSED THAT WE GET THAT CSX AND THE BEELINE HIGHWAY COMPLETE.

AND THAT'S IT. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS WHEN YOU WANT TRAFFIC, YOU DON'T HAVE TRAFFIC.

AND WHEN YOU DON'T WANT TRAFFIC, THERE'S TRAFFIC. YES.

NO. GREAT UPDATE. THANK YOU. DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? WHEN DO YOU THINK KYOTO WILL ALL BE DONE? THE KYOTO WE'RE LOOKING FOR MAY MAY HAVE EVERYTHING COMPLETELY DONE.

SO THERE'S OTHER WORK THAT YOU DIDN'T SEE THAT WE HAVE TO DO DOWN THE FPL SIDE.

WE GOT TO CLOSE DOWN THEIR ENTRANCE AND REBUILD IT COMPLETELY TO DO SOME HANDICAP AND SOME CROSSWALK IMPROVEMENTS OVER THERE.

SO THERE'S A LOT OF OTHER WORK TO STILL BE DONE.

WE HAVE TO TRANSFER TRAFFIC ON THE BRIDGE FROM THE SOUTH, FROM THE NORTH SIDE TO THE SOUTH SIDE, SO WE CAN REBUILD THAT SIDE. THERE'S A LOT OF MOVING PARTS BECAUSE OF THE MAINTENANCE OF TRAFFIC.

THAT'S WHAT TAKES IT SO LONG. THE WALKWAY BRIDGE LOOKS GREAT.

YES. THANK YOU. HOW ABOUT THE OTHER PROJECTS? HOW'S THE PROJECT GOING? HOW'S THE ICE PROJECT? THE ICE BRIDGE. SO WE'RE NOT. THAT IS NOT OUR CAPITAL PROJECT.

I AM THE CONTRACT LIAISON FOR CONTRACT STUFF.

SO THEY'RE PAYING FOR THE ENTIRE PROJECT. THEY'RE MANAGING THE ENTIRE PROJECT. I GO AND DO CONSTRUCTION UPDATES WITH THEM.

WE GO OVER WITH PLANNING AND ZONING TO DO THEIR SAMPLES AND SUBMITTALS AND ALL THAT STUFF THAT THEY'RE REQUIRED TO DO AT THAT LEVEL.

BUT IT FROM WHAT I HEAR, THEY'RE ON PACE TO, TO OPEN, I BELIEVE OUR WEBSITE SAYS DECEMBER OF 2026.

AND I THINK THEY'RE ON TARGET TO MEET THAT. BUT AGAIN, WE'RE NOT MANAGING THAT PROJECT.

ANYBODY ELSE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? NOPE. THANK YOU TODD.

I JUST HAVE ONE QUESTION. WHO MAINTAINS THE COCONUT CRITTER CROSSING? WHO'S THE. THAT WOULD BE US. IS THAT OKAY? YES.

WE OWN THE ROADWAY, AND WE OWN MOST OF THE CONSERVATION AREA ON THE NORTH SIDE.

WHEN THEY FINISH THE ROADWAY AND WE CARVE OUT ALL THE ROADWAY SECTIONS, THEN WE'LL GET THE REST OF THAT CONSERVATION AREA.

SO WE'LL OWN THE ROAD AND THE CONSERVATION AREA. OKAY. GOOD.

GOOD TO KNOW. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT IS JOHN BOEM WITH OUR LEGISLATIVE UPDATE.

JOHN.

GOOD EVENING, MAYOR. CITY COUNCIL. FOR THE RECORD, MY NAME IS JOHN BOEHME, ASSISTANT TO THE CITY MANAGER.

I'M HERE TONIGHT TO GIVE AN UPDATE ON THE 2026 LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

SO A FEW KEY DATES ON THE SCREEN. SESSION BEGAN ON JANUARY 13TH.

RIGHT NOW WE'RE IN WEEK FOUR OUT OF NINE. NEXT WEEK WE'RE HOPING TO SEE THE INITIAL HOUSE AND SENATE BUDGET PROPOSALS.

THAT'S A REALLY IMPORTANT STEP IN THE OVERALL PROCESS AS THE STATE BEGINS WORKING ON THEIR BUDGET PROPOSALS.

WHY THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO US IS WE'RE GOING TO SEE IF OUR APPROPRIATIONS REQUESTS ARE INCLUDED IN THAT INITIAL BUDGET PROPOSAL AND THEN BEGIN.

OUR ADVOCACY WORKS TO HOPEFULLY MAKE SURE THEY STAY IN THE FINAL BUDGET WHEN IT GETS FINALIZED IN MARCH.

MARCH 10TH WILL BE THE DATE WHEN THAT BUDGET SHOULD BE FINALIZED, ASSUMING THAT EVERYTHING GOES ACCORDING TO SCHEDULE WITH MARCH 13TH AS THE END OF REGULAR SESSION. NOW, AT THIS POINT, AFTER MARCH 13TH, THE GOVERNOR STILL HAS TIME TO ACT ON CERTAIN BILLS THAT ARE APPROVED.

AND THE BUDGET ITSELF, IN ADDITION TO THERE HAS BEEN SOME RUMOR OF POTENTIAL SPECIAL SESSIONS, SUCH AS CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING, THAT MAY HAPPEN THIS SPRING.

SOME OF THE MAJOR TOPICS THAT HAVE EMERGED THIS SESSION SO FAR ARE PROPERTY TAX REFORM, GROWTH MANAGEMENT, AI AND DATA CENTERS, AND VARIOUS LOCAL GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS, SOME OF WHICH WE'RE GOING TO TOUCH ON IN TONIGHT'S UPDATE.

IT'S ON THE SCREEN. HERE ARE SOME STATISTICS ABOUT THE SESSION. AND I'VE PROVIDED THE LAST FOUR YEARS TO REALLY HELP GIVE CONTEXT TO WHAT IT IS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT IS ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE, YOU'LL SEE THE TOTAL NUMBERS OF BILL FILED.

TOTAL BILLS FILED. EXCUSE ME. SO RIGHT NOW THERE'S 1797 BILLS THAT ARE FILED.

AND WE'RE SO EARLY IN THE PROCESS. THAT MEANS 1497 BILLS ARE STILL ALIVE AND VYING TO ULTIMATELY BECOME LAWS AND GET PASSED.

[00:30:06]

MANY DON'T END UP MAKING IT. THAT BEING SAID, WHERE WE ARE TONIGHT, EVERYTHING IS STILL ALIVE, SO IT'S TOO EARLY TO TELL WHAT'S REALLY EMERGING AS THE PRIORITIES.

WHAT REALLY HAS A GOOD CHANCE OF PASSING? WHAT ULTIMATELY WILL FIZZLE OUT? FIZZLE OUT? EXCUSE ME. IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT IT'S FLUID.

SO ALL THESE THINGS ARE HAPPENING SIMULTANEOUSLY.

YOU HAVE ALL THESE DIFFERENT COMMITTEE MEETINGS HAPPENING, AMENDMENTS TO BILLS, THINGS BEING COMBINED AND CHANGED.

SO IT'S REALLY DIFFICULT TO TO GET PAST THAT.

THIS IS A POINT IN TIME. ANYTHING I TELL YOU TONIGHT COULD CHANGE AS EARLY AS TOMORROW.

SO TAKE IT WITH A GRAIN OF SALT. THAT BEING SAID, IT'S BEING GIVEN AS AN OVERVIEW TO BRING YOU UP TO SPEED ON WHERE THINGS ARE, PARTICULARLY WITH OUR KEY LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES.

SO THE MAIN FOCUS TONIGHT, AS I JUST MENTIONED, IS THE LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES THAT THE CITY COUNCIL HELPED TO ESTABLISH AT OUR SEPTEMBER 9TH MEETING. AND SO I THINK IT'S IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THESE ARE THE SEVEN LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES THAT WERE ESTABLISHED BY COUNCIL BACK IN SEPTEMBER.

AND THE REASON THAT THE SECOND COLUMN IS THERE FILED IS DID THOSE BILLS ULTIMATELY GET FILED? AND THE ANSWER IS YES. THE REASON I BRING THAT UP IS COMMITTEE MEETINGS BEFORE THE SESSION DON'T EVEN BEGIN UNTIL OCTOBER.

THEREFORE, WE HAVE TO DO OUR BEST TO ANALYZE AND USE OUR BEST JUDGMENT TO IDENTIFY WHAT ARE THE POTENTIAL, WHAT ARE THE POTENTIAL THINGS FROM LAST YEAR THAT ARE GOING TO COME UP? WHAT ARE THE THINGS THAT ARE ON THE HORIZON, AND HOW CAN WE ACT ON THEM NOW TO BE PROACTIVE IN OUR ADVOCACY EFFORTS? SO I'M REALLY PROUD OF THAT.

SECOND, THE SECOND COLUMN HERE AND WHAT OUR TEAM WORKED TOGETHER TO DO, BECAUSE IT ALLOWED US TO GET A REALLY GOOD JUMP ON OUR ADVOCACY IN OCTOBER, AS OPPOSED TO WAITING UNTIL JANUARY WHEN EVERYTHING IS FILED, AND THEN YOU'RE BEHIND THE BALL WHEN THINGS ARE ALREADY MOVING.

THE THIRD FILE, THE THIRD COLUMN. HERE ARE THE ACTUAL BILL NUMBERS OF THOSE BILLS.

AND THE FINAL COLUMN IS HAVE THEY PASSED THE COMMITTEE YET? THE REASON I INCLUDED THAT IS JUST TO SHOW YOU KIND OF WHERE THINGS ARE, WHERE THEY STAND, AND WHAT ARE THE CHANCES THAT THEY'RE ULTIMATELY GOING TO PASS. I'M GOING TO TOUCH ON ALL THESE BILLS BRIEFLY, JUST TO BRING YOU UP TO SPEED ON WHAT THEY WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE IN THEIR FINAL FORM. SO THE FIRST ONE, REGIONAL 911 CENTERS, THIS WAS FOR CENTRALIZED DISPATCH CENTERS FOR WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN COUNTY WIDE.

SO ONE MAJOR COUNTY WIDE DISPATCH CENTER FOR ALL PALM BEACH COUNTY AND EVERY OTHER COUNTY THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

THAT WAS A BIG, BIG PRIORITY FOR US, SOMETHING THAT WE ADVOCATED STRONGLY AGAINST.

AND I'M HAPPY TO SAY JUST THIS MORNING THAT THAT HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL NEXT YEAR.

NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION, WHICH IS GREAT NEWS FOR US, BECAUSE THAT WAS ONE OF OUR ONE OF THE BIGGEST BILLS THAT WE WERE OPPOSING THIS SESSION.

I'D ALSO LIKE TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO OUR POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT.

THEY WERE BOTH WORKING REALLY HARD BEHIND THE SCENES WITH THEIR PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS IN OPPOSITION TO THIS, POINTING OUT THAT THIS WOULD CREATE A MYRIAD OF ISSUES FOR THE ENTIRE STATE AND OUR COUNTY.

SO THIS IS JUST BAD NEWS ALL AROUND. SO REALLY HAPPY TO REPORT THAT'S AN EARLY WIN IN THE SESSION.

THE SECOND ONE IS 2025 SENATE BILL 180. THAT WAS THE BILL THAT WAS A.

I WOULD ARGUE, A KNEE JERK REACTION TO ALL THE HURRICANES THAT HAPPENED ON THE WEST COAST IN 2024.

SO FOR THESE BILL, FOR THIS BILL, IT WAS FOR EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND HOW YOU REBUILD AFTER HURRICANES.

THAT BEING SAID, IT WAS QUITE A BIT OF OVERREACH ON THE LAND USE AND REGULATION SIDE OF THINGS, AND IT REALLY HINDERED QUITE A FEW COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING AND LAND USE TYPE THINGS THAT THE CITY HAS, DOES AS PART OF OUR NORMAL PROCESSES. THERE HAS BEEN A REVISION THAT WAS FILED WHICH WE WERE HAPPY TO SEE AND ADDRESSES.

SEVERAL OF. IT CLARIFIES SEVERAL OF THE OVERREACHING LAND USE ISSUES THAT WERE IN THAT ORIGINAL BILL.

HOWEVER, IT DOESN'T TOUCH ON SOME OF THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ISSUES.

WE'RE HOPING TO SEE AMENDMENTS LATER IN THE SESSION, BUT WE'D LOVE TO SEE THAT GET PASSED AND HELP REDUCE SOME OF THOSE RESTRICTIONS THAT CURRENTLY EXIST. THE THIRD ONE IS SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY.

SO THAT'S BEEN A BILL THAT'S COME AROUND A FEW YEARS IN A ROW.

AND RIGHT NOW THE SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY CAPS EXIST AT 200,000 AND 300,000 ON THE HOUSE SIDE, THAT NUMBER.

SO THE TWO BILLS, THE TWO VERSIONS DIFFER SIGNIFICANTLY.

ON THE HOUSE SIDE, YOU HAVE A LARGE INCREASE OR THAT WOULD INCREASE TO 600,001.2 MILLION.

THAT'S A PRETTY DRASTIC JUMP. ON THE SENATE SIDE, IT'S A LOT SMALLER 300,000 450,000.

SO THAT BEING SAID, THIS IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF A BILL WHERE IT'LL BE NEGOTIATED SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE, PROBABLY, BUT IT HAS TRACTION ON BOTH SIDES. SO I ANTICIPATE THAT IS A DECENT CHANCE OF PASSING THIS HERE.

LOCAL BUSINESS TAXES IS ANOTHER TOPIC THAT'S BEEN THAT'S BEEN AROUND FOR A FEW YEARS.

THIS YEAR IT'S FINALLY GOTTEN A LOT MORE TRACTION.

IT'S LOOKING LIKE IT HAS A DECENT CHANCE OF PASSING NOW.

WE'VE BEEN IN OPPOSITION TO THIS SINCE SEPTEMBER AND WE CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE AGAINST IT, ALONG WITH FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES AND CITIES LOBBYISTS, BECAUSE THIS WOULD ESSENTIALLY ELIMINATE THE CITY'S BUSINESS TAX RECEIPT PROGRAM. THAT'S BAD FOR SEVERAL REASONS, BECAUSE THE BUSINESS TAX RECEIPT PROGRAM REALLY IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF PUBLIC SAFETY FOR THINGS LIKE HEALTH REGULATION,

[00:35:03]

SO LAST YEAR THERE WAS THE OPEN CARRY BAN WAS OVERRULED AND DEEMED UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

THEREFORE, OPEN CARRY IS ALLOWED IN THE STATE AS PART OF THAT.

SOME OF THE RIPPLE EFFECT OF THAT IS IT ALSO ELIMINATED THE PROHIBITED PLACE PROVISIONS OF OF SOME OF THE GUN LAWS.

IT'S MY BEST LAWYERING, MAX, BUT SOMETHING THAT WE WERE HOPING IS TO SEE SOME REVISIONS TO HELP WITH SOME OF THOSE PROHIBITED PLACES WHERE IT CLEARLY JUST DOESN'T MAKE SENSE FOR THERE TO BE FIREARMS. THERE WAS LEGISLATION FILED, HOWEVER, YOU'LL NOTE IN THE FINAL COLUMN NEITHER OF THESE BILLS HAS BEEN HEARD IN COMMITTEE YET, SO HOPEFULLY, HOPEFULLY THOSE BILLS GET HEARD AND START MAKING SOME PROGRESS THIS SESSION.

THE FINAL TWO APPROPRIATIONS REQUESTS. SO WE FILED SIX APPROPRIATIONS.

I TOUCHED ON THOSE A LITTLE MORE IN LENGTH AT OUR SEPTEMBER MEETING, BUT WE'RE GOING TO KNOW NEXT WEEK.

AND HOPEFULLY THE INITIAL HURDLE IS, ARE WE IN THE INITIAL BUDGET? THAT'S THAT'S REALLY THE FIRST, FIRST SIGN OF ARE WE GOING TO HOPEFULLY MAKE IT AND GET SOME FUNDING.

SO FOR FOR THE AUDIENCE WHO MAY NOT HAVE BEEN HERE IN SEPTEMBER, APPROPRIATIONS REQUESTS ARE WE GENERALLY PUT THEM IN FOR FUTURE BIG CAPITAL PROJECTS.

WE TRY TO HELP GET STATE FUNDING TO EXPEDITE SOME OF THOSE CAPITAL PROJECTS THAT MIGHT BE FIVE YEARS OUT.

SO INSTEAD OF NEEDING TO WAIT FIVE YEARS, WE CAN SPEED THEM UP AND BRING THOSE REALLY MUCH NEEDED IMPROVEMENTS TO OUR ROADS, TO OUR CANALS, THINGS LIKE THAT, SOONER THAN IF WE HAVE TO FUND IT OURSELVES.

THE FINAL ONE, PROPERTY TAX REFORM. I'M GOING TO TOUCH ON IN A LITTLE BIT MORE DETAIL, BUT IT'S WORTH NOTING THAT RIGHT NOW THERE ARE EIGHT HOUSE BILLS THAT HAVE BEEN FILED, AND AT THIS POINT SEVERAL HAVE BEEN. SEVERAL HAVE PASSED SEVERAL COMMITTEES.

BUT IT'S STILL A LITTLE BIT MURKY. AND I'M GOING TO TOUCH ON THAT A LITTLE MORE HERE MOMENTARILY. SO PROPERTY TAX REFORM.

THIS IS THE BIG TOPIC OF THE ENTIRE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

AND PARTICULARLY FOR MUNICIPALITIES FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES.

THIS IS AT THE FOREFRONT. THIS IS IT REALLY IS VITAL TO WHAT WE DO ON A YEAR TO YEAR BASIS.

AND SO THAT BEING SAID, THERE HASN'T BEEN CONSENSUS AMONGST THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, THE SENATE AND THE GOVERNOR.

SO THIS IS REALLY A TWO YEAR CONVERSATION THAT'S BEEN HAPPENING. THE GOVERNOR CAME UP WITH THIS IDEA A COUPLE YEARS AGO.

HE INTRODUCED IT, BUT THERE WASN'T REALLY A CONCRETE HEY, THIS IS HOW WE'RE GOING TO ACHIEVE THAT.

SO THE REASON I BRING THAT UP, THAT THERE'S THREE DIFFERENT SIDES OF THIS, IS IT REQUIRES QUITE A BIT OF CONSENSUS TO ULTIMATELY GET SOMETHING ON THE BALLOT.

THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HAS EIGHT DIVERSE PROPOSALS, RANGING ANYWHERE FROM COMPLETE ELIMINATION OF PROPERTY TAXES TO SOME STEPS TO GETTING TO THE ELIMINATION OF PROPERTY TAXES, TO JUST PORTABILITY BETWEEN SAVE OUR HOMES AND MOVING OTHER PLACES, IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN THERE IS NOT A FRONT RUNNER AT THIS POINT.

THEY'VE ALL BEEN HURT IN COMMITTEE. THEY ARE ALL PROGRESSING.

IT'S TOO EARLY TO TELL AND THE HOUSE IS NOT REALLY PICKED A PARTICULAR PRIORITY.

IT APPEARS THAT THEY MAY PASS ALL EIGHT ON THE SENATE SIDE, THE SENATE HAS REALLY TAKEN A POSITION WHICH IS INTERESTING AND REALLY THE BALL IS IN THEIR COURT. SO THE SENATE HAS A LOT OF A LOT OF POWER IN THIS SITUATION WHERE THEY HAVEN'T PUSHED OR PRIORITIZED ANY PROPOSALS FOR PROPERTY TAX REFORM.

NOW, IT'S BEEN RUMORED THAT NEXT WEEK THEY MAY BE INTRODUCING THAT.

AND THAT'S SOMETHING TO KEEP YOUR EYE OUT FOR BECAUSE THAT'S GOING TO REALLY DICTATE PROBABLY WHERE THIS ENTIRE DISCUSSION GOES.

HOWEVER, AT THIS POINT IT'S A RUMOR. THERE'S ALSO BEEN RUMOR THAT THIS COULD BE A SPECIAL SESSION AFTER THE REGULAR SESSION ENDS.

AND IF THEY CAN'T ALL GET ON THE SAME PAGE, THEN NOTHING WILL END UP ON THE BALLOT.

BECAUSE WHAT'S REQUIRED TO GET SOMETHING ON THE BALLOT IS YOU HAVE TO HAVE A SUPERMAJORITY ON THE HOUSE SIDE AND A SUPERMAJORITY ON THE SENATE SIDE TO GET AN INITIATIVE ONTO THE BALLOT. THEREFORE, CONSENSUS IS REALLY REQUIRED AND BEING THIS FAR IN THE PROCESS AND NOT HAVING PEOPLE ON THE SAME PAGE, IT MAKES IT A VERY MURKY SITUATION. IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE ALSO, THERE'S BEEN NO PROPOSALS OR OFFICIAL RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE GOVERNOR, AS I MENTIONED. THIS REALLY IS KIND OF STEERED BY THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE.

BUT THE GOVERNOR PLAYS A BIG PART OF ADVOCACY AND DRIVING.

YOU KNOW, AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA.

SO IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN ANY OF THESE PROPOSALS WOULD LIKELY BE EXPECTED TO BE ON THE NOVEMBER 2026 GENERAL ELECTION BALLOT.

AND WE ARE GOING TO BE CLOSELY MONITORING THIS AND ANXIOUSLY AWAITING TO SEE WHERE IT GOES, AND WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS. BUT I THINK IT DEPENDS ON WHAT THE SENATE RELEASES OR IF THEY RELEASE ANYTHING, SOME OF THE IMPORTANT BILLS. SO AGAIN TONIGHT REALLY THE FOCUS WAS ON THOSE PRIORITIES.

WE ESTABLISHED THE PRIORITIES. YOU SEE WHERE THEY ARE IN THE PROCESS AND WHY THOSE WERE THE PRIORITIES.

THESE ARE A FEW OF THE OTHER IMPORTANT PIECES OF LEGISLATION THAT WE'RE TRACKING. I'M NOT GOING TO GO IN DEPTH THROUGH EACH OF THEM BECAUSE, AS THE STATISTICS SHOW, THERE'S A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF BILLS THAT ARE OUT THERE, MEANING THERE'S QUITE A FEW BILLS THAT CAN IMPACT CITY OPERATIONS.

[00:40:04]

SO THAT MEANS IT'S SPECIFIC JUST TO PALM BEACH COUNTY.

AND WHAT THAT WOULD DO IS IN A FUTURE ANNEXATION, IF THIS BILL WERE TO PASS FUTURE ANNEXATION, THOSE PROPERTIES WOULD CONTINUE RECEIVING SERVICE FROM PALM BEACH COUNTY FIRE RESCUE FOR A CERTAIN TERM TO BE DETERMINED OR POTENTIALLY IN PERPETUITY.

SO THE CITY'S BEEN WORKING HARD TRYING TO GET THAT BILL AMENDED, TRYING TO GET IT SO THAT IT'S A LITTLE BIT MORE OF AN EVEN PLAYING FIELD FOR THE MUNICIPALITIES AND THE COUNTY. WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT ANNEXATION.

ANNEXATION, AS OUR COUNCIL IS WELL AWARE, IS AN ACT OF SELF-DETERMINATION.

PEOPLE CHOOSE IF THEY WANT TO ANNEX INTO THE CITY. THE CITY DOESN'T GO AND ANNEX PEOPLE.

SO WE'RE HOPING THAT AN AMENDMENT CAN COME FORWARD WHERE THAT BILL DOESN'T PASS.

E-BIKE REGULATION IS ANOTHER ONE THAT'S ACTUALLY BEEN A POSITIVE, WHERE YOU GUYS HAVE SEEN THE PROLIFERATION OF E-BIKES ACROSS THE STATE.

THAT BRINGS ALL THE SAFETY CONCERNS THAT COME WITH THAT.

AND THE LACK OF REGULATION HAS BEEN SOMETHING THAT I KNOW POLICE AND MS HAVE REALLY BEEN STRONGLY ADVOCATING FOR.

AND IT'S LOOKING LIKE THERE'S THERE'S SOME POTENTIAL GUARDRAILS THAT ARE COMING THIS YEAR. THERE'S A FEW OTHER GROWTH MANAGEMENT RELATED BILLS, SUCH AS LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT AND BUILDING PERMITS, THINGS LIKE THAT.

SOME OF THAT IS A IS RELATED TO LIVE LOCAL ACT THAT HAPPENED A COUPLE YEARS AGO.

THINGS ALONG THOSE LINES. BUT AT THIS POINT IT'S TOO EARLY TO SAY WHAT IS GOING TO BE A FRONTRUNNER, BECAUSE MANY THINGS ARE STILL IN THAT PROCESS AND STILL VYING TO BE PASSING BOTH COMMITTEES.

SO WE'RE FOLLOWING THOSE CLOSELY. AND A FEW OF THESE OTHER BILLS UP HERE, IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN WHAT WILL ULTIMATELY PASS AND IT CONCLUDE.

LOOKING AHEAD. SO WHAT'S NEXT? AS I TOUCHED ON, WE'RE AWAITING THE BUDGET PROPOSALS NEXT WEEK.

WE'RE ANXIOUS FOR THEM. WE'RE REALLY HOPING THAT WE GET SOME APPROPRIATION MONEY. I THINK WE PUT TOGETHER SOME GREAT PROPOSALS AND WE HAVE SOME REALLY GOOD PROJECTS. IT WOULD BE GREAT FOR OUR COMMUNITY IF WE'RE ABLE TO SECURE SOME FUNDING THIS YEAR. WE'RE GOING TO BE MONITORING THOSE PROPERTY TAX REFORM PROPOSALS VERY CLOSELY.

THAT'S VERY ESSENTIAL TO WHAT WE DO, AS WELL AS WORKING WITH THE LEAGUE OF CITIES AND OUR LOBBYISTS TO ADVOCATE BOTH FOR PROPERTY TAX REFORM AND SEVERAL OF OUR OTHER PRIORITIES.

WE'VE ESTABLISHED WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE OUR ADVOCACY EFFORTS. WE HAVE A GREAT TEAM HERE. I REALLY JUST WANT TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO THE CITY COUNCIL, AS WELL AS SEVERAL OF OUR DEPARTMENTS ARE VERY ENGAGED. THIS CERTAINLY TAKES A VILLAGE IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS AND WE WORK REALLY WELL TOGETHER.

A LOT OF COMMUNICATION, A LOT OF ADVOCACY. BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT'S FOR THE BENEFIT OF OUR CITIZENS AND PROVIDING THE BEST SERVICES WE CAN.

THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT THIS EVENING. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR JOHN ANYBODY? NO THANK YOU, JOHN, I KNOW WE'VE BEEN FOLLOWING EACH OTHER AND WE WERE UP IN TALLAHASSEE ALL TOGETHER A FEW WEEKS AGO, AND IT WAS VERY INFORMATIVE.

AND IT'S INTERESTING TO SEE HOW TIME GOES BY, HOW THINGS CHANGE IN AN INSTANT.

SO THANK YOU FOR BRINGING US UP TO DATE. I KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE MORE UPDATES FOR US, YOU KNOW, IN THE NEAR FUTURE. SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR THE VERY COMPREHENSIVE UPDATE.

IT'S MUCH APPRECIATED. IT IS FLUID. SO WE APPRECIATE THIS UPDATE AND HOPEFULLY WE'LL HAVE ANOTHER ONE IN FEBRUARY WITH SOME REALLY POSITIVE OUTCOMES.

THAT WOULD BE GREAT. THANK YOU. OH ONE QUESTION DOES THE E-BIKE LEGISLATION THAT YOU'VE READ, DOES THAT INCLUDE THE E-SCOOTERS AS WELL? I BELIEVE IT IS SPECIFIC TO E-BIKES TO JUST E-BIKES.

OKAY. THAT'S MY MY RECOLLECTION. AND JOHN HAS A QUESTION COUNCIL MEMBER.

WHEN WE WERE UP THERE, WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE 911 BILL.

AND YOU HAD MENTIONED THAT THEY HAD DROPPED THE AMENDED IT TO DROP THE POPULATION OF THE COUNTY THAT IT WOULD APPLY FOR WHEN IT BEFORE IT WENT IN THE DRAWER.

DID THEY DO THAT OR. NO? DO YOU KNOW? NO, SIR.

DID NOT. SO WHAT ULTIMATELY HAPPENED? THEY THE BILL SPONSOR, CAME UP WITH ACTUALLY A COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE.

SO THEY DID A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF REVISIONS TO IT.

AND THEN ULTIMATELY WHAT HAPPENED IS THERE WERE SO MANY REVISIONS TO THE ORIGINAL BILL THAT THEY DECIDED, LET'S POSTPONE THIS UNTIL NEXT YEAR AND GET A WORKING GROUP TOGETHER WITH THE POLICE CHIEFS, THE FIRE CHIEFS, THE SHERIFFS, GET EVERYBODY IN A ROOM TOGETHER SO THAT WE CAN FIGURE OUT A BETTER WAY TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES.

SOME OF THOSE CORE ISSUES EXIST AND ARE RECOGNIZED BY BOTH SIDES WHO ARE FOR AND AGAINST THE BILL.

HOWEVER, THE WAY THAT IT WAS ORIGINALLY WRITTEN WAS VERY ONE SIDED.

AND SO I THINK THAT THE BILL SPONSOR ALLUDED TO THAT IN A COMMENT THAT HE MADE.

HE SAID IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO TRY TO AMEND IT.

WHY DON'T WE MEET AFTER THE SESSION AND THEN GO INTO 2027 AND IDEALLY WORK TOGETHER SO THAT WE CAN ULTIMATELY GET THIS PASSED NEXT YEAR? AND THEN WITH THE PROPERTY TAX BILLS, THERE'S EIGHT OF THEM.

CAN MORE THAN ONE GO TO THE BALLOT, OR DO THEY HAVE TO PICK ONE TO GO TO THE BALLOT? YES, SIR. ALL EIGHT CAN GO. AND ORIGINALLY THAT WAS THE INTENT ON THE HOUSE SIDE.

THE HOUSE INTENDED TO HAVE EIGHT ON THE BALLOT THAT LET THE CITIZENS CHOOSE WHICH, IF ANY, OR ALL THEY WANTED. SO YES, ALL EIGHT COULD BE ON OR ANY COMBINATION THEREOF.

[00:45:03]

OKAY. THEY HAVE TO SET A BUDGET BY JUNE 30TH, CORRECT? YES, SIR. SO IF THIS ISN'T ON THE BALLOT TILL NOVEMBER, HOW DO THEY SET A BUDGET? JUNE 30TH. GREAT QUESTION. SO ULTIMATELY, WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF IT WAS ON THE NOVEMBER NOVEMBER BALLOT? THEY WOULD NEED TO PASS IMPLEMENTATION BILLS NEXT YEAR.

SO RIGHT NOW, KIND OF IT'S THE IDEA AND THE BALLOT LANGUAGE THAT PASSES, BUT THEN THE ACTUAL BACK END OF THAT OF THE IMPLEMENTATION WOULD COME DURING NEXT YEAR'S LEGISLATIVE SESSION. SO IF THEY WERE TO COMPLETELY ELIMINATE PROPERTY TAXES, FOR EXAMPLE, THEN IN NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET, THEY WOULD NEED TO ADDRESS ANY FUNDING GAPS OR ANY STATE FUNDING THAT WOULD HELP COVER THAT, THINGS LIKE THAT. BUT IT WOULD BE NEXT YEAR. SO DO THEY HAVE TO WAIT ON THESE BILLS TO PASS TO APPROVE OUR APPROPRIATIONS IF WE GET ANY OR ALL OF THEM? NO, SIR. OKAY. WELL, THAT'S ALL THE QUESTIONS I HAD.

AND THANKS FOR FOLLOWING US AROUND OR LEADING US AROUND TALLAHASSEE. A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO.

I KNOW IT WAS LIKE HERDING CATS, BUT THANKS A LOT.

IT WAS A LONG DAY, BUT THANK YOU. GREAT QUESTIONS.

EXCELLENT. EXCELLENT QUESTIONS. THANK YOU JOHN.

THANK YOU JOHN. NEXT, WE HAVE OUR OWN JULIE WOLNIEWICZ TO TALK TO US ABOUT A SPECIAL PROGRAM.

I'M A LITTLE SHORTER, SO. OKAY. MY NAME IS JULIE WOLNIEWICZ.

I'M THE OPERATIONS MANAGER FOR THE CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS RECREATION DEPARTMENT.

GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. I'M PLEASED TO PROVIDE A BRIEF OVERVIEW FOR YOU.

ALL OF OUR STORIES IN THE PARK PROGRAM, WHICH IS PART OF OUR RECREATION DEPARTMENT'S COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND EVENTS PROGRAMING.

THIS PROGRAM FOCUSES ON PROVIDING FREE, FAMILY FRIENDLY OPPORTUNITIES THAT BRING LITERACY, OUTDOOR RECREATION, AND COMMUNITY CONNECTION TOGETHER IN ONE WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT.

IT'S HOSTED EVERY I'M SORRY, THE FIRST TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH FROM OCTOBER THROUGH MAY AT THE BURNS ROAD PLAYGROUND.

AND IT LEADS, WHICH LEADS INTO OUR POPULAR SPLASH INTO STORYTIME, WHICH WE HOLD THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER, WHICH FOCUSES ON WATER SAFETY. SO THIS PROGRAM IS DESIGNED FOR YOUNG CHILDREN AND THEIR CAREGIVERS, AND IT FEATURES AN INTERACTIVE STORYTIME. AS YOU CAN TELL FROM THE PICTURES, OUR STORYTELLER IS VERY ANIMATED, VERY ENGAGING. SHE DRESSES IN THE THEME THAT WE HAVE FOR THE MONTH.

AND THE GOAL IS TO CREATE OPPORTUNITIES WHERE FAMILIES CAN GATHER TOGETHER, CHILDREN CAN LEARN THROUGH PLAYING, AND THEN RESIDENTS CAN ENGAGE WITH OUR PROGRAMS WHILE THEY'RE ENJOYING OUR PARK SYSTEM.

AS PART OF THE EVENT, WE ALSO COLLABORATE WITH PALM BEACH COUNTY LIBRARY AND THE GARDENS BRANCH, SO THE PALM BEACH GARDENS BRANCH HOSTS A TABLE, AND THEY BRING BOOKS TO OUR PROGRAM THAT PEOPLE CAN ACTUALLY CHECK OUT RIGHT THEN AND THERE. AND IF YOU DON'T HAVE A LIBRARY CARD, YOU CAN ACTUALLY GET ONE WHILE YOU'RE THERE.

SO IT'S A GREAT, EXCUSE ME COLLABORATION THAT WE HAVE WITH THEM.

WHAT I WANTED TO SHOW YOU THOUGH, WAS THIS MONTH'S SPECIAL COLLABORATION.

SO THIS MONTH WE ACTUALLY PARTNERED WITH OUR FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS.

AS YOU CAN TELL, WE DID HAVE TO MOVE INSIDE. IT WAS ABOUT 50 DEGREES OUTSIDE.

IT WAS A LITTLE CHILLY. BUT WE HAD THE BEAUTIFUL BURNS ROAD COMMUNITY CENTER TO PIVOT TO.

SO WE DID MOVE IT INDOORS, BUT THAT DID NOT DETER ALL THE FAMILIES FROM COMING OUT.

SO FIRE, RESCUE AND POLICE DEPARTMENT STAFF JOINED US ON SITE.

AND THEY ACTUALLY READ STORIES TO THE CHILDREN.

THEY ANSWERED QUESTIONS ABOUT SAFETY AND YEAH.

SO WE HAD FIRE AND POLICE BOTH READ STORIES. WE ALSO HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE EMERGENCY VEHICLES AND DISPLAYS AND INTERACT WITH THE PERSONNEL.

SO THIS REALLY CREATED REALLY MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS.

AND IT WAS JUST A REALLY MEMORABLE HANDS ON EXPERIENCE FOR THOSE FAMILIES.

THE POLICE AND FIRE TEAMS WERE INCREDIBLE, EXCEPTIONAL AS ALWAYS IN THEIR ENGAGEMENT WITH THE FAMILIES.

SO WE RECEIVED INCREDIBLE FEEDBACK FROM THE PARENTS WHO JUST CAME UP AND ALL WERE TELLING ME HOW JUST POSITIVE THEY EXPERIENCE WAS AND HOW MUCH THEY ENJOYED REALLY INTERACTING WITH OUR PUBLIC SAFETY TEAMS. SO THIS STORY IS IN THE PARK JUST DEMONSTRATES THE POWER OF COLLABORATION BETWEEN OUR CITY DEPARTMENTS AND OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO BE ABLE TO BRING ACCESSIBLE AND MEANINGFUL PROGRAMING TO OUR CITY RESIDENTS.

AND I REALLY WANT TO THANK OUR FIRE, RESCUE AND POLICE DEPARTMENT.

[00:50:01]

THEY SAID ABSOLUTELY WHATEVER YOU NEED, AND THEY WERE JUST A JOY TO WORK WITH.

SO JUST WANTED TO SHARE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THOSE PHOTOS ARE ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE AND THOSE KIDS ARE PRECIOUS AS EVER.

THANK YOU GUYS FOR DOING THIS. IT REALLY MAKES OUR COMMUNITY SUCH A GREAT ONE FOR SURE.

IT WAS A LOT OF FUN. WE'RE DEFINITELY GOING TO DO IT AGAIN. SO THANK YOU JULIE AND THANK YOU ALL.

THAT CONCLUDES CITY MANAGER'S REPORT. I THINK THAT WAS A VERY GOOD CITY MANAGER REPORT.

WE SHOULD HAVE MORE OF THOSE. AWESOME. OKAY. AND NEXT WE'RE MOVING ON TO OUR CONSENT AGENDA.

[VII. CONSENT AGENDA]

I'D LIKE TO MAKE. OR CAN I PLEASE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE? I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.

SECOND. SECOND. WE HAVE A MOTION IN TWO SECONDS.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. MOTION CARRIES 5 TO 0. TONIGHT, WE ARE HOLDING QUASI JUDICIAL HEARINGS ON THE FOLLOWING CASES.

[VIII.a. ORDINANCE 16, 2025 – (2ND READING AND ADOPTION) CITY’S 10-YEAR WATER SUPPLY FACILITIES WORK PLAN. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS, FLORIDA, AMENDING ITS COMPREHENSIVE LAND USE PLAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MANDATES SET FORTH IN CHAPTER 163, FLORIDA STATUTES, SPECIFICALLY SECTION 163.3177, PURSUANT TO APPLICATION NO. CPTA-25-09-0001, WHICH PROVIDES FOR AN UPDATE TO THE CITY’S 10-YEAR WATER SUPPLY FACILITIES WORK PLAN AND AMENDMENTS TO THE INFRASTRUCTURE ELEMENT, INTERGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION ELEMENT, AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS ELEMENT; PROVIDING FOR TRANSMITTAL TO FLORIDA COMMERCE; PROVIDING A CONFLICTS CLAUSE, A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, AND AUTHORITY TO CODIFY; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.]

CHANGING THE REZONING DESIGNATION AT 9598 ALTERNATE A1, A RESOLUTION ONE 2026 PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT PUD SITE PLAN APPROVAL FOR A MEDICAL OFFICE BUILDING AT 9598 ALTERNATE A1.

A ORDINANCE SIX 2026 FIRST READING VOLUNTARY ANNEXATION ON THE WEST SIDE OF HOWELL LANE.

ORDINANCE NINE, 2026 FIRST READING VOLUNTARY ANNEXATION, LOCATED AT 2973 AVOCADO LANE.

THIS MEANS THAT THE CITY COUNCIL IS REQUIRED BY LAW TO BASE A DECISION ON THE EVIDENCE CONTAINED IN THE RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS, WHICH CONSISTS OF THE TESTIMONY AT THE HEARING, THE MATERIALS WHICH ARE IN THE OFFICIAL CITY FILE ON THE APPLICATION, AND ANY DOCUMENTS PRESENTED DURING THIS HEARING.

THE COUNCIL IS ALSO REQUIRED BY LAW TO ALLOW CROSS-EXAMINATION OF ANY WITNESSES WHO TESTIFY TONIGHT.

CROSS-EXAMINATION MAY OCCUR AFTER THE STAFF, THE APPLICANT AND THE OTHER PARTICIPANTS HAVE MADE THEIR PRESENTATIONS AND WILL BE PERMITTED IN THE ORDER OF THE WITNESSES APPEARANCE.

IT IS NECESSARY THAT ANYONE WHO TESTIFIES AT THE HEARING REMAIN UNTIL THE CONCLUSION OF THE HEARING, IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO RESPOND TO ANY QUESTIONS.

IF YOU PLAN TO TESTIFY THIS EVENING OR WISH TO OFFER WRITTEN COMMENTS, PLEASE FILL OUT A CARD GIVEN.

GIVE IT TO THE CLERK. THE CARDS ARE OVER THERE AND THE CLERK IS OVER THERE.

THE CITY CLERK WILL NOW SWEAR IN ALL PERSONS WHO INTEND TO OFFER TESTIMONY THIS EVENING ON ANY OF THESE CASES.

DO YOU SOLEMNLY SWEAR TO TELL THE TRUTH, THE WHOLE TRUTH, AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH, SO HELP YOU GOD? THANK YOU, PATTY. AND WE'RE GOING TO START WITH ORDINANCE 16 2025.

WOULD THE CLERK PLEASE READ THE TITLE ORDINANCE 16 2025 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL, THE CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS, FLORIDA, AMENDING ITS COMPREHENSIVE LAND USE PLAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MANDATE SET FORTH IN CHAPTER 163, FLORIDA STATUTES, SPECIFICALLY SECTION 163 .3177 PURSUANT TO APPLICATION NUMBER CPTA.

DASH 20 509, DASH 0001, WHICH PROVIDES FOR AN UPDATE TO THE CITY'S TEN YEAR WATER SUPPLY FACILITIES, WORK PLAN AND AMENDMENTS TO THE INFRASTRUCTURE ELEMENT, INTERGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION ELEMENT AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS ELEMENT PROVIDING FOR TRANSMITTAL TO FLORIDA COMMERCE, PROVIDING ACCOMPLISHED CLAUSE, A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, AND AUTHORITY TO CODIFY, PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. THANK YOU PATTI. AND THIS IS I'M GOING TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING AND ASK IF THERE'S ANY CHANGES FROM THE FIRST READING SINCE IT'S SECOND. NO CHANGES, MADAM MAYOR. OKAY. DOES ANYONE NEED A PRESENTATION? NO. OKAY. AND I DO NOT HAVE ANY COMMENT CARDS ON THIS, SO I'M GOING TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND BRING IT BACK FOR A MOTION AND A SECOND, PLEASE. I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 16 2025.

SECOND READING AND ADOPTION. SECOND. OKAY. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ANY HAVE ANY DISCUSSION? NOPE. ALL RIGHT, THEN I'LL CALL A VOTE.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE, AYE. MOTION CARRIES 5 TO 0.

THANK YOU. MOVING ON TO ORDINANCE ONE, 2026, WOULD THE CLERK PLEASE READ THE TITLE ORDINANCE ONE 2026 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY

[VIII.b. *ORDINANCE 1, 2026 – (2ND READING AND ADOPTION) CHANGING THE ZONING DESIGNATION AT 9598 ALTERNATE A1A. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS, FLORIDA, REZONING CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY COMPRISED OF 1.17 ACRES, MORE OR LESS, KNOWN AS 9598 ALTERNATE A1A, AND LOCATED ON THE NORTH SIDE OF ALTERNATE A1A, APPROXIMATELY 500 FEET SOUTH OF LIGHTHOUSE DRIVE; PROVIDING THAT THIS PARCEL OF REAL PROPERTY, WHICH IS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED HEREIN, SHALL BE REZONED FROM GENERAL COMMERCIAL (CG-1) TO A PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT (PUD) OVERLAY WITH AN UNDERLYING ZONING DESIGNATION OF GENERAL COMMERCIAL (CG-1); PROVIDING THAT THE ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS BE AMENDED ACCORDINGLY; PROVIDING A CONFLICTS CLAUSE, A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, AND AUTHORITY TO CODIFY; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. RESOLUTION 1, 2026 IS A COMPANION ITEM TO ORDINANCE 1, 2026 AND WILL REQUIRE COUNCIL ACTION. *RESOLUTION 1, 2026 – PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT (PUD) SITE PLAN APPROVAL FOR A MEDICAL OFFICE BUILDING AT 9598 ALTERNATE A1A. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS, FLORIDA, APPROVING A SITE PLAN TO ALLOW THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 5,575-SQUARE-FOOT MEDICAL OFFICE BUILDING WITHIN THE 9598 ALTERNATE A1A PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT (PUD), THE SUBJECT SITE BEING GENERALLY LOCATED ON THE NORTH SIDE OF ALTERNATE A1A, APPROXIMATELY 500 FEET SOUTH OF LIGHTHOUSE DRIVE, AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED HEREIN; PROVIDING WAIVERS; PROVIDING CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. ]

[00:55:03]

THANK YOU PATTI. I'M GOING TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING AND ASK FOR ANY EXPERTISE.

NONE. NONE. NONE. NONE. THANK YOU. AND I HAVE NONE AS WELL HAS.

THIS IS THE SECOND READING. HAS THERE BEEN ANY CHANGES TO THIS ONE? NO CHANGES, MADAM MAYOR. THANK YOU. DOES ANYONE WANT A PRESENTATION? NO. OKAY. ME NEITHER. VERY SELF-EXPLANATORY. THANK YOU.

I DO NOT HAVE ANY COMMENT CARDS ON THIS ITEM.

SO I'M GOING TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND ASK FOR A MOTION AND A SECOND.

I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE ONE 2026 SECOND READING AND ADOPTION.

SECOND. OKAY. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR? AYE, AYE. MOTION CARRIES 5 TO 0.

THANK YOU. AND RESOLUTION ONE IS A COMPANION ITEM TO ORDINANCE ONE.

RESOLUTION ONE, I SHOULD SAY, IS A COMPANION ITEM TO ORDINANCE ONE.

AND WE'LL ALSO REQUIRE COUNTY COUNCIL ACTION.

SO MOVING ON TO RESOLUTION ONE 2026 WITH THE CLERK.

PLEASE READ THE TITLE RESOLUTION ONE 2026 A RESOLUTION.

THE CITY COUNCIL OF COUNCIL, THE CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS, FLORIDA, APPROVING A SITE PLAN TO ALLOW THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 5575 SQUARE FOOT MEDICAL OFFICE BUILDING WITHIN THE 9598 ALTERNATE A1, A PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT PUD.

THE SUBJECT SITE BEING GENERALLY LOCATED ON THE NORTH SIDE OF ALTERNATE A-1-A, APPROXIMATELY 500FT SOUTH OF LIGHTHOUSE DRIVE.

AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED HEREIN, PROVIDING WAIVERS, PROVIDING CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL, PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. THANK YOU.

PATTY, I'M GOING TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING AND ASK FOR ANY EXPERTISE.

ANYBODY? NONE. AND I DON'T HAVE ANY EITHER. JUST FOR THE RECORD, EVERYONE SAID NONE.

SO NOW DO WE? THIS IS ALSO SECOND READING OR NOT SECOND READING.

FIRST READING REALLY? BECAUSE IT'S THE FIRST COMPANION ITEM. DOES ANYBODY WANT A PRESENTATION? WE DID HAVE ONE LAST TIME. OKAY. THANK YOU. OKAY.

WE DO HAVE ONE COMMENT CARD ON THIS ITEM. I'M GOING TO CALL RAMONA BEAN TO THE PODIUM.

IF YOU COULD PLEASE COME AND ALSO STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS AND IF YOU'VE BEEN SWORN IN.

RAMONA BEAN 5439 CICADA WAY. FOR THE RECORD, AND YES, I'VE BEEN SWORN.

THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING, MADAM MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS CITY STAFF AND FELLOW RESIDENTS.

I DO APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY. I WAS HERE FOR THE FIRST READING, SO I KIND OF LOOKED OVER IT AFTERWARDS.

AND I DO APPRECIATE AND APPROVE OF THE REZONING OF THIS PROPERTY.

THAT IT WOULD BE A POSSIBLE MEDICAL OFFICE BUILDING.

I USE A LOT OF FACILITIES ALL AROUND ALTERNATE A-1-A AND LIGHTHOUSE DRIVE, SO IT FITS WELL, I THINK, WITH THE AREA. I MIGHT HAVE MISSED THOUGH IN THE PRESENTATION.

SO I JUST ACTUALLY CAME BACK JUST FOR A REFRESH.

A LOT OF US, OF COURSE, KNOW THE ALTERNATE A-1-A IN LIGHTHOUSE DRIVE IS A VERY BUSY PLACE, AND I DRIVE THROUGH THERE ALMOST EVERY DAY JUST FERRYING THE KIDS IN THEIR SPORTS ACTIVITIES SO IT GETS CONGESTED.

A LOT OF PEOPLE GET MAD AND THEY'LL CUT THROUGH THE GAS STATION THAT'S THERE AT THE CORNER.

SO IN THIS MAY BE TOO EARLY IN THE PROCESS, BUT AS A FELLOW RESIDENT, I JUST THOUGHT FOR THOSE THAT ARE INVOLVED IN THE PLANNING AND ZONING AND WHATNOT OF THIS, JUST TO KEEP IN MIND THAT PEOPLE LIKE TO CUT THROUGH.

SO I DON'T KNOW IF THEY'RE ALREADY SUGGESTING SPEED BUMPS AND SOMETHING THROUGH THEIR PARKING LOT.

IF THEY HAVE AN ENTRANCE FROM ALTERNATE ONTO LIGHTHOUSE DRIVE.

AND THEN THE OTHER QUESTION I HEARD FROM A FELLOW RESIDENT IS, AND I COULDN'T ANSWER, IT WAS THE SQUARE FOOTAGE WERE GIVEN OF WHAT THE POSSIBLE MEDICAL OFFICE BUILDING WOULD BE, BUT WHAT ARE THE LIKE? HOW LIKE STORIES IS A TWO STORY, THREE STORY AND THAT SORT OF THING.

SO THAT'S JUST A QUESTION. BUT OTHERWISE, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY. THANK YOU.

MISS. BRIAN, WOULD YOU MIND STATING WHETHER OR NOT THERE ARE SPEED BUMPS AND ALSO THE STORIES OF THE FACILITY? ABSOLUTELY. BRIAN CHECKETTS, PRINCIPAL PLANNER I PLAN AND DESIGN, 823 NORTH OLIVE AVENUE, WEST PALM BEACH. I'VE BEEN SWORN IN. MADAM MAYOR WE HAVE SHARED ACCESS FROM ALTERNATE A-1A ONTO THE SITE.

AND SO THAT MAKES IT CIRCUITOUS TO BEGIN WITH.

AND WE DO HAVE FULL ACCESS OUT ONTO LIGHTHOUSE DRIVE.

IF THAT BECAME A PROBLEM THAT WE'RE HAVING CUT THROUGH TRAFFIC, WE COULD CERTAINLY LOOK AT ADDING SPEED BUMPS, BUT IT WOULD HAVE TO BE REALLY BAD AT THE INTERSECTION FOR PEOPLE TO BE CUTTING AND DOING LOOP DE LOOPS TO GET THROUGH OUR SITE TO CUT THROUGH.

BUT WE WOULD OBVIOUSLY KEEP ON TOP OF THAT, AND IF IT WAS A PROBLEM FOR US, WE WOULD WE WOULD FIX IT,

[01:00:02]

AND MEDICAL OFFICE. USE THE DENTAL OFFICE. THANK YOU.

AND SORRY, NATALIE, WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADD TO THAT? ABSOLUTELY. SO, YOU KNOW, IF, IN FACT, THE APPLICANT WAS SEEKING TO MAKE ANY MODIFICATIONS TO THE SITE TO DETER TRAFFIC, THEY WOULD HAVE TO PRESENT SUCH AN OPTION. SPEED BUMPS IN GENERAL HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFULLY EVALUATED BECAUSE THEY DO SLOW DOWN EMERGENCY RESPONSE.

SO WE ACTUALLY DO HAVE SPECIFIC POLICIES TO ENSURE THAT OUR EMERGENCY RESPONSE CAN GET TO WHERE THEY NEED TO GO WITHOUT SLOWING DOWN.

THAT BEING SAID, THERE ARE OTHER METHODS TO ENSURE THAT FOLKS DON'T CUT THROUGH.

SO AS BRIAN MENTIONED, YOU KNOW, THIS IS SORT OF, YOU KNOW, THEY DON'T HAVE DIRECT ACCESS FROM A-1-A.

YOU HAVE TO GO FROM ANOTHER PARCEL, AND THEN YOU HAVE TO COME IN AND THEN YOU HAVE TO GO LEFT, AND THEN YOU HAVE TO COME STRAIGHT AGAIN. SO IT'S NOT AN INTUITIVE CUT THROUGH.

IT'S MORE CIRCUITOUS. SO I DON'T THINK THAT IT WOULD BE UTILIZED HEAVILY.

BUT THAT BEING SAID, THERE'S ALWAYS OPTIONS IN THE FUTURE WE COULD LOOK AT.

PERFECT. THANK YOU SO MUCH. ALL RIGHT. THAT WAS THE LAST COMMENT.

SO I'M GOING TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND ASK FOR A MOTION AND A SECOND.

I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION ONE 2026 SECOND.

OKAY. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? LOOKING THAT THERE'S NONE BRING IT BACK FOR A VOTE.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. MOTION CARRIES 5 TO 0. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ABSOLUTELY. AND WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON TO ORDINANCE TWO 2026 WITH THE CLERK.

[VIII.c. ORDINANCE 2, 2026 – (1ST READING) POLICE OFFICERS’ PENSION PLAN AMENDMENTS. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 50 - POLICE OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS, FLORIDA, AT SECTION 50-121. - OPTIONAL FORMS OF BENEFITS. BY REPEALING SUBSECTION (b) AND READOPTING SAME AS REVISED; FURTHER AMENDING CHAPTER 50 BY REPEALING SECTION 50-126. - LUMP SUM PAYMENT OF SMALL RETIREMENT INCOME. AND READOPTING SAME AS REVISED; FURTHER AMENDING CHAPTER 50 AT SECTION 50-129. - REVIEW PROCEDURES. BY REPEALING SUBSECTIONS (b), (c), (d), AND (f) AND READOPTING SAME AS REVISED; FURTHER AMENDING CHAPTER 50 BY REPEALING SECTION 50-131. - INTERNAL REVENUE CODE LIMITS. AND READOPTING SAME AS REVISED; FURTHER AMENDING CHAPTER 50 BY REPEALING SECTION 50-132. - REQUIRED DISTRIBUTIONS. AND READOPTING SAME AS REVISED; FURTHER AMENDING CHAPTER 50 BY REPEALING SECTION 50-135. - ANNUAL ADJUSTMENTS. AND READOPTING SAME AS REVISED; FURTHER AMENDING CHAPTER 50 AT SECTION 50-152. - AMOUNTS PAYABLE UPON ELECTION TO PARTICIPATE IN DROP. BY REPEALING SUBSECTIONS (d)(1) AND (d)(3) AND READOPTING SAME AS REVISED; PROVIDING THAT EACH AND EVERY OTHER SECTION AND SUBSECTION OF CHAPTER 50 - POLICE SHALL REMAIN IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT AS PREVIOUSLY ADOPTED; PROVIDING A CONFLICTS CLAUSE, A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, AND AUTHORITY TO CODIFY; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.]

BY REPEALING SUBSECTION B AND ADOPTING SAME AS REVISED FURTHER AMENDING CHAPTER 50 BY REPEALING SECTION 5126 LUMP SUM PAYMENT OF SMALL RETIREMENT INCOME AND RE-ADOPTING SAME AS REVISED FURTHER AMENDING CHAPTER 50 AT SECTION 5129.

REVIEW PROCEDURES BY REPEALING SUBSECTIONS B, C, D, AND F AND RE-ADOPTING SAME AS REVISED FURTHER AMENDING CHAPTER 50 BY REPEALING SECTION 5131. INTERNAL REVENUE CODE LIMITS AND RE-ADOPTING.

SAME AS REVISED FURTHER AMENDING CHAPTER 50 BY REPEALING SECTION 5132.

REQUIRED DISTRIBUTIONS AND RE-ADOPTING SAME AS REVISED FURTHER AMENDING CHAPTER 50 BY REPEALING SECTION 5135 ANNUAL ADJUSTMENTS AND RE-ADOPTING SAME AS REVISED FURTHER AMENDING CHAPTER 50 AT SECTION 5152.

AMOUNTS PAYABLE UPON ELECTION TO PARTICIPATE IN DROP BY REPEALING SUBSECTIONS D1 AND D3 AND RE-ADOPTING.

SAME AS REVISED, PROVIDING THAT EACH AND EVERY OTHER SECTION AND SUBSECTION OF CHAPTER 50 SHALL REMAIN IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT AS PREVIOUSLY ADOPTED, PROVIDING A CONFLICTS CLAUSE, A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, AND AUTHORITY TO CODIFY, PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

THANK YOU PATTI. I'M GOING TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING AND ASK FOR PRESENTATION FROM MISS ARIAN.

GOOD EVENING, MADAM MAYOR. COUNCIL FOR THE RECORD.

ARIAN FINANCE ADMINISTRATOR. TONIGHT UNDER ORDINANCE TWO INCLUDE.

IT INCLUDES SEVERAL ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATES TO OUR POLICE OFFICER PENSION PLAN.

SO LET'S START WITH A BIT OF BACKGROUND. AND FOR TO START, THE AMENDMENT FORMALIZES THE COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT PREVIOUSLY APPROVED BY COUNCIL UNDER RESOLUTION 52 2022. UPDATES ALSO TO THE PLAN TO ALIGN WITH THE FEDERAL SECURITY 2.0 ACT THAT WAS ENACTED BY CONGRESS IN LATE 2022. IT WILL MAKE MINOR LANGUAGE CHANGES AND REVISIONS TO THE JOINT AND SURVIVORSHIP BENEFIT OPTION SECTION, ALONG WITH A FEW OTHER MINOR CLEANUPS THAT WE'LL GET INTO NEXT.

SO WHAT IS CHANGING ON THIS SLIDE? IT FORMALIZES THE COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY APPROVED BY COUNCIL BEGINNING OCTOBER 1ST, 2022. MEMBERS WHO RETIRE OR ENTER, DROP AND BEGIN RECEIVING PENSION BENEFITS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR A GUARANTEED ANNUAL COLA EACH OCTOBER 1ST AND THEREAFTER THAT INCREASES GRADUALLY FOR A TOTAL OF 1.5%.

ONCE FULLY PHASED IN, A MEMBER'S FIRST COLA WILL BE PRORATED BASED ON HOW MANY MONTHS FULL MONTHS A MEMBER HAS BEEN RETIRED PRIOR TO THAT OCTOBER 1ST DATE. SO, AS REQUIRED UNDER FLORIDA STATUTE, ANY PROPOSED CHANGES TO PENSION BENEFITS MUST ALSO BE ACCOMPANIED WITH A CERTIFIED ACTUARIAL IMPACT STATEMENT, WHICH WAS COMPLETED BY GRS CONSULTANTS, WHO PROJECTS THE ANNUAL COST TO BE ROUGHLY 1.5 MILLION

[01:05:05]

A FUNDED RATIO OF 82% REMAINS WELL WITHIN THE RANGE, GENERALLY CONSIDERED HEALTHY FOR A PUBLIC PENSION PLAN.

THE CITY IS, HOWEVER, REQUIRED TO CONDUCT AN ANNUAL ACTUARIAL STUDY, WHICH ALLOWS US TO MONITOR TRENDS IN THAT FUNDED RATIO OVER TIME TO ENSURE THE HEALTH OF THE PLAN. SO NEXT, WE HAVE THE CHANGES WITH THE SECURED 2.0 ACT THAT WAS PASSED IN LATE 2022, WHICH RAISES THE AGE AT WHICH A PARTICIPANT MUST START RECEIVING RETIREMENT DISTRIBUTIONS.

IT INCREASED FROM AGE 72 TO AGE 73 FOR INDIVIDUALS BORN IN 1951 TO 1959 AND AGE 75 FOR INDIVIDUALS BORN 1960 OR LATER. THERE IS NO ACTUARIAL OR FINANCIAL IMPACT TO THE PLAN.

IT IS SIMPLY ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATE TO BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE.

NEXT. WHAT IS CHANGING? THIS AMENDMENT UPDATES THE LANGUAGE UNDER THE JOINT AND SURVIVORSHIP BENEFIT OPTIONS, TO ALLOW A MEMBER TO DESIGNATE AN INDIVIDUAL OF THEIR CHOICE AS THEIR SURVIVOR BENEFICIARY.

IT REMOVES THE PRIOR RESTRICTIONS LIMITING THE SELECTIONS TO SPOUSE OR RELATIVE OTHER THAN SPOUSE, AND REPLACES IT WITH A TERM INDIVIDUAL. AND AGAIN, THERE'S NO FINANCIAL IMPACT TO THE PLAN FOR THIS CHANGE.

NEXT, THIS UPDATE INCREASES THE THRESHOLD FOR CASHING OUT SMALL RETIREMENT BENEFITS FROM 5000 TO 7000, ALLOWING THE BOARD TO ISSUE A SMALL LUMP SUM PAYOUT FOR VERY SMALL BENEFIT AMOUNTS.

THERE IS NO CHANGE AGAIN, TO NO FINANCIAL IMPACT TO THE PLAN, AND THIS IS JUST ADMINISTRATIVE IN NATURE.

AND FINALLY, THIS SLIDE REFLECTS A FEW HOUSEKEEPING ITEMS. JUST TO CLEAN UP SOME LANGUAGE. IN THE APPEALS PROCESS AND ALSO THE DROP DISTRIBUTION SECTION TO ALIGN WITH OUR CURRENT PRACTICES AND FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS.

AGAIN, THERE'S NO CHANGES TO MEMBER BENEFITS OR HAS ANY FINANCIAL IMPACT.

IT'S JUST AGAIN, ADMINISTRATIVE AND CLARIFICATION IN NATURE.

AND STAFF RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF ORDINANCE TWO 2026 AS PRESENTED ON FIRST READING.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR MISS ARIAN? NOPE. OKAY. I DO NOT HAVE ANY COMMENT CARDS ON THIS.

I'M GOING TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND BRING IT BACK FOR A MOTION.

I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE TWO 2026 AS PRESENTED ON FIRST READING.

SECOND. OKAY, WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR? AYE, AYE. MOTION CARRIES 5 TO 0.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON TO ORDINANCE FOUR 2026.

[VIII.d. ORDINANCE 4, 2026 – (2ND READING AND ADOPTION) AMENDING CHAPTER 14 (ANIMALS) OF THE CITY’S CODE. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS, FLORIDA AMENDING CHAPTER 14. ANIMALS. AT ARTICLE II. DOGS AND CATS. BY REPEALING SECTION 14-31. DEFINITIONS. AND READOPTING SAME, AS REVISED; FURTHER AMENDING CHAPTER 14. BY REPEALING SECTION 14-40. ADOPTION OF SHELTER AND RESCUE ANIMALS. AND READOPTING SAME, AS REVISED, IN ORDER TO AMEND THE REGULATION OF SAME; FURTHER AMENDING CHAPTER 14. BY REPEALING SECTION 14-42. PENALTIES – ENFORCEMENT. AND READOPTING SAME, AS REVISED; PROVIDING THAT EACH AND EVERY OTHER SECTION AND SUBSECTION OF CHAPTER 14. ANIMALS. SHALL REMAIN IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT AS PREVIOUSLY ADOPTED; PROVIDING A CONFLICTS CLAUSE, A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, AND AUTHORITY TO CODIFY; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. ]

DOGS AND CATS BY REPEALING SECTION 1431 DEFINITIONS AND ADOPTING SAME AS REVISED FURTHER AMENDING CHAPTER 14 BY REPEALING SECTION 1440, ADOPTION OF SHELTER AND RESCUE ANIMALS AND ADOPTING SAME AS REVISED IN ORDER TO AMEND THE REGULATION OF SAME.

FURTHER AMENDING CHAPTER 14 BY REPEALING SECTION 1442 PENALTIES ENFORCEMENT AND ADOPTING SAME AS REVISED, PROVIDING THAT EACH AND EVERY OTHER SECTION AND SUBSECTION OF CHAPTER 14 ANIMALS SHALL REMAIN IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT AS PREVIOUSLY ADOPTED, PROVIDING A CONFLICTS CLAUSE, A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, AND AUTHORITY TO CODIFY, PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

THANK YOU. PATTY. I'M GOING TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING AND ASK, DOES ANYONE WANT A PRESENTATION FROM MAX? NO. OKAY. AND I DO HAVE A COMMENT CARD ON THIS.

WOULD MR. VICTOR MARTIN, PLEASE COME TO THE PODIUM AND STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS.

AND ALSO IF YOU. I GUESS IF YOU'VE BEEN SWORN IN.

MADAM MAYOR, COUNCIL, I'M VICTOR MARTIN, 88, 96 OLDHAM WAY, PALM BEACH GARDENS.

AND I HAVE BEEN SWORN IN. I WAS JUST MADE AWARE OF THIS AMENDMENT ABOUT TWO DAYS AGO, SO I HAVEN'T REALLY STUDIED IN DEPTH, BUT I JUST ENDED UP, I REALIZED I'VE GOT 41 YEARS OF ANIMAL RESCUE BEHIND ME.

AND SO I SPEAK TO THE TO THE AMENDMENT OR TO THE, THE ISSUE IN REGARDS TO THAT, WE NEED TO NOT IMPEDE BUT SUPPORT THE ANIMAL WELFARE AND THE HOUSING AND HOW THEY'RE HOUSED.

I SENSE AND FEEL THAT HAVE MY EXPOSURE TO THE COMMUNITY THAT THE INDEPENDENT SHELTERS.

[01:10:03]

I FEEL THAT THEY'RE ALL GETTING GOOD CARE FROM MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE AND OBSERVATION.

I AM FOOD, CARING AND ALSO EVEN THE INDEPENDENTS HAVE GOOD VET ASSOCIATIONS.

SO THE ANIMALS BEING IN CARE SO I CAN SENSE THAT THE FACT WE DON'T WANT THEM CONTAINED IN CAGES ALL THE TIME, BUT LIKE PETSMART, THEY'RE THERE. PEOPLE CAN COME IN AND SEE THEM.

THESE INDEPENDENTS NEED TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THESE ANIMALS AND KEPT AS THEY ARE, SO PEOPLE CAN SEE THEM COME IN AND RECEIVE ANIMALS AND EVEN HELP ANIMALS BECOME ADOPTED.

SO I HOPE THAT THESE POINTS CAN BE PUT INTO THIS.

I'M AGAIN ONLY HAD IT TWO DAYS IN MY HANDS, BUT I THINK THIS KIND OF THEY SHOULDN'T LIMIT THEM.

THEY'RE DOING WELL WITH AR AND ALLOW THEM TO KEEP THEIR ANIMALS AND ALSO SHOW SHOW THEM HOW THEY HAVE THEM LIKE A PETSMART AND SHOW SOMETHING LIKE THIS.

SO THAT'S MY SUPPORT FOR THAT EVENT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND THAT'S THE ONLY CARD THAT I HAVE ON THERE.

I'M GOING TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND JUST STATE THAT I KNOW WE PROBABLY HAVE ALL HAD COMMENTS ON THIS.

I DID SOME HOMEWORK. I KNOW MAX HAS ALSO DONE SOME HOMEWORK IN REGARDS TO THIS IN REGARDS TO THE CAP OF THE FEE, WHICH WAS DISCUSSED AT THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING.

I LEARNED THAT IT CURRENTLY THE WAY IT'S CURRENTLY WRITTEN WHICH FIRST, I DO WANT TO SAY THAT THE INTENT OF THIS OF THIS ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE TO DISCOURAGE NON-ETHICAL GROUPS FROM SELLING DOGS AND CATS IS A GOOD THING. AND I'M SURE NONE OF US WANT TO HURT ANY OF THE CURRENT ETHICAL ANIMAL SHELTERS AND NONPROFITS.

BUT I'VE LEARNED THAT 50% OF THE SHELTERS ARE LITERALLY COMPRISED OF THE FOUR LARGE SHELTERS AND ANIMAL RESCUE, AND THEN THE OTHER 50% ARE A WHOLE MYRIAD OF SMALL SHELTERS.

AND WHEN I SPOKE TO A COUPLE OF THEM, THE ONES WHERE I WHERE I'VE RESCUED MY CAT AND ALSO MY DOG THERE'S FAR TOO I'VE LEARNED THAT THERE'S FAR TOO MANY FELINES IN OUR COUNTY TO HOUSE THE IN THE SHELTERS, AND THAT'S WHY THEY PARTNER WITH STORES LIKE PETSMART AND PETCO.

AND IN DOING SO, THEY ACTUALLY HAVE HAD MORE SUCCESS IN FINDING HOMES, THERE'S MORE CATS THAN THAT NEED RESCUING.

AND THE EXPERTS IN THESE ANIMAL RESCUE INDUSTRY RECOMMENDED THAT WE DO PUT A CAP ON IT, BECAUSE THAT ACTUALLY DOES STRENGTHEN THE THE LEGISLATION OR THE ORDINANCE. BUT THEY DID RECOMMEND 500 TO 600.

I PERSONALLY THINK 500 IS A GOOD CAP. THEY ALSO DON'T MAKE ANY MONEY ON ADOPTIONS, BUT THE SMALLER NONPROFITS NEED TO COVER THE COST OF THE SPAYING AND NEUTERING. AND I ALSO SPOKE WITH MAX.

AND IF THE COUNCIL IS IN AGREEMENT, I SUGGEST WE POSTPONE THIS ITEM UNTIL THE NEXT MONTH SO WE CAN AMEND THE LANGUAGE TO CAP THE ADOPTION FEE.

ALSO TO ONLY PROHIBIT THE OVERNIGHT STAY FOR DOGS AND PUPPIES, POSSIBLY, AND ALLOW CATS TO STAY IN THE PET STORES.

ALSO WHY, YOU KNOW, THE PERMIT THING WE MIGHT WANT TO CONSIDER AND DEFINITELY CHANGE THE PERMIT FEE, IF THAT'S OKAY WITH THE COUNCIL TO BE NO MORE THAN $100 INSTEAD OF NO LESS THAN $100.

AND THE GOAL SHOULD BE TO ENCOURAGE PET ADOPTION AND NOT MAKE IT HARDER OR HINDER.

AND I KNOW THAT'S NOT WHAT WE WANT TO DO. SO THAT'S WHAT I'D LIKE TO ASK THE COUNCIL IF THEY'RE OKAY WITH DOING THAT.

YEAH, I AGREE WITH MAYOR TINSLEY WITH WITH A LOT OF THAT.

I'D LIKE TO ADD SOME SOME REMARKS AS WELL. I DID HAVE A CONVERSATION THIS AFTERNOON, LATE THIS AFTERNOON WITH THE CEO OF FURRY FRIENDS, JASON GLUCK. WE DID SPEAK AT GREAT LENGTH AND THEY ARE ONE OF THE LARGER ADOPTION YOU KNOW, PLACES LOCALLY. THIS WILL GREATLY IMPACT THE SMALLER ONES.

AND I THINK WE WANT TO BE GOOD NEIGHBORS TO HAVE COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS WITH EVERYBODY.

HE DID SAY THAT THE CATS WERE MOST IMPACTED, BUT HE DID SAY DOGS WERE A LITTLE BIT AS WELL.

AND THEY WERE WORKING WITH SOME OF THE JUPITER STORES TO ALLOW MAYBE IN THE NEAR FUTURE, SOME DOGS, BECAUSE, AGAIN, SOME OF THESE SMALLER PET ADOPTION PLACES DO NOT HAVE THE SPACE AND THE RESOURCES.

AND THEY'VE BEEN PARTNERING WITH THE PETSMART AND THE PET SUPERMARKETS TO ALLOW THAT.

SO I AGREE WITH MAYBE PUTTING THIS OFF, PUTTING SOME MORE THOUGHT INTO IT AND COMING UP WITH A SOLUTION.

HE ALSO RECOMMENDED THE THE FEE OF $600. AND AGAIN, LIKE YOU SAID, THAT DOES NOT COVER THE COST OF THE ADOPTION.

[01:15:03]

SO IF WE CAN REVISIT THAT, THAT WOULD BE GREAT.

THANK YOU, I APPRECIATE THAT. I'D LIKE TO ECHO THE SAME COMMENTS.

I THINK I WENT BACK AND LOOKED AT IT AND THIS BILL WAS PASSED IN 2014, I THINK, YOU KNOW, I REMEMBER WALKING AROUND A LOT OF PLACES IN 2014, IN THE PUPPY MILLS AND IN EVERY MALL, AND THERE WAS PUPPIES, YOU KNOW, BY THIS ONE. AND PEOPLE WERE WANDERING IN AND BUYING THEM, BUT YOU DIDN'T KNOW HOW THEY WERE STAYING. I THINK THAT WAS THE INITIAL INTENT OF THIS BACK THEN. I THINK IT'S WORKED. SO I ALSO HAD SOME PHONE CALLS FROM SOME RESCUES AND SOME EMAILS, AND SOMEBODY BROUGHT UP A POINT THAT THEY'RE OUT WEST OR THEY HAVE THEY PUT ANIMALS WITH FOSTER HOMES THAT SOMEBODY JUST WATCHES THE ANIMAL AND HOW THEY FOSTER THOSE OUT.

THEY DON'T WANT THEM COMING TO THEIR HOMES, SO THEY BRING THEM TO A PLACE LIKE PETSMART.

SO I THINK THAT WE DO NEED TO DO SOME MORE WORK ON THIS.

I THINK WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS I CAUGHT IN THE INITIAL BILL WAS THAT THE BILL WAS MADE TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS DID NOT PROVIDE AN INHUMANE ENVIRONMENT FOR THE ANIMALS. SO I THINK THAT NEEDS TO BE THE INTENT OF THIS IS TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S INHUMANE.

BUT IF THEY'RE BEING TREATED RIGHT, THAT WE DO PROVIDE A PLACE.

I SAW THAT THE HUMANE SOCIETY IS FINALLY COMING TO ALMOST A ZERO LEVEL OF EUTHANIZATION FOR CATS, SO I'D LOVE TO SEE THAT NUMBER ZERO. AND IF WE CAN MAKE THIS AN ACCESSORY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GET TO THAT POINT, THAT'D BE GREAT. SO WE'RE GOING TO GIVE YOU SOME MORE WORK, MAX, I THINK.

NO PROBLEM. I THINK THAT WE CAN ALWAYS IMPROVE ON OUR REGULATIONS AND WHAT WE'RE DOING.

AND LIKE I SAID, I SPOKE TO MAYOR. TINSLEY. SHE HAD CALLED AND ASKED A QUESTION ABOUT THE CATS, AND I LOOKED INTO THAT AS WELL. BECAUSE THAT'S REALLY WHAT THIS WHAT SPAWNED THIS IS BECAUSE THE CITY BECAME AWARE THAT THE PET STORES WERE HOUSING THESE CATS OVERNIGHT, 24 OVER SEVEN, 365. AND THAT WAS NEVER THE INTENT OF THIS ORDINANCE TO ALLOW THAT, BECAUSE WE HAD PET STORES THAT WERE SELLING KITTENS, THEY WERE SELLING PUPPIES, AND YEAH, THEY WERE OUT OF PUPPY MILLS AND LITTLE KITTEN MILLS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

IT WAS NEVER INTENDED. OUR INTENT WAS NEVER WHEN IT WAS DRAFTED AND WAS ORIGINALLY ADOPTED WASN'T TO PREVENT ADOPTION EVENTS OR FOR FOR ANIMAL RESCUES.

WORKING WITH A PET STORE TO HOST ADOPTION EVENTS.

ONE OF THE REASONS THIS WAS BROUGHT BACK IS BECAUSE NOT TOO LONG AFTER WE ADOPTED THIS BACK IN 2014, AND THEN WE GOT SUED OVER IT AND I SUCCESSFULLY DEFENDED THIS ORDINANCE AND PREVAILED ON A FINAL SUMMARY JUDGMENT MOTION AGAINST THE NE'ER DO WELL PET STORE THAT THAT SUED US.

AND IF YOU RECALL, WE THOSE OF YOU WHO WERE AROUND OR WERE ACTUALLY KEEPING UP WITH CURRENT EVENTS AT THE TIME, WE WERE THE FIRST CITY IN THE COUNTRY TO ADOPT AN ORDINANCE LIKE THIS AND ACTUALLY USE IT TO SHUT DOWN A PUPPY MILL, A PUPPY MILL, PET STORE AND WAS REALLY QUITE SUCCESSFUL AT THAT.

THINGS HAVE MORPHED A LITTLE BIT THE WAY WE DEFINE PET STORES, THEY'RE NOT ALLOWED TO SELL CATS AND DOGS BY DEFINITION IN THE CITY, SO THAT IS FINE. AND WE CAN CERTAINLY LOOK AT THIS AND IF YOU WILL TAKE A VOTE TO POSTPONE THIS TO NEXT MONTH.

I'VE HEARD YOUR COMMENTS. I'VE ALREADY DRAFTED SOME AMENDMENTS, BUT IT'S REALLY NOT READY FOR PRIME TIME.

I WAS TRYING TO DO THAT TODAY BETWEEN MEETINGS AND DISCUSSIONS WITH STAFF ON A MYRIAD OF ISSUES.

SO I WANT TO LOOK AT IT MORE THOROUGHLY. I THINK THAT IF IT'S THE COUNCIL'S INTENT TO ALLOW THE CATS TO BE HOUSED THERE, I THINK THAT MAKES COULD MAKE COMPLETE SENSE.

CATS ARE A LITTLE BIT. I DON'T KNOW, IT'S WEIRD.

THEY'RE A LITTLE BIT BETTER OFF IN CAGES SOMETIMES THAN DOGS ARE. DOGS DON'T DO SO WELL IN CAGES.

CATS ARE A LOT MORE INDEPENDENT THAN THEY SEEM TO BE OKAY FOR PERIODS OF TIME LIKE THAT.

THEY'RE EASIER TO CARE FOR. AND FROM WHAT I'VE UNDERSTOOD FROM MY OWN RESEARCH, PROMPTED BY THE QUESTIONS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS AND THE EMAILS THAT WE GOT, IS THAT THAT HAVING THE CATS OUT THERE ALL THE TIME AND THESE WE ONLY HAVE TWO PET STORES IN THE CITY HAVING THEM THERE SEEMS TO BENEFIT THE ADOPTION BECAUSE THEY GET SEEN MORE WHERE WHEN THEY HOST A DOG EVENT, A DOG ADOPTION EVENT.

IT'S A BIGGER EVENT AND THEY GET A BIGGER TURNOUT, AND SO IT'S EASIER TO ADOPT THE DOGS.

SO I WILL IF THAT'S THE DIRECTION OF COUNCIL, I'M HAPPY TO DRAFT SOME AMENDMENTS TO THIS AND BRING IT BACK TO YOU NEXT MONTH, IF YOU WOULD POSTPONE IT FOR A MONTH SO WE CAN GET IT READY FOR YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR DOING THAT. AND IF YOU DON'T MIND, IF YOU DON'T, IF IF ANYONE HAS ANY SPECIFIC COMMENTS THAT THEY'D LIKE.

I JUST WANT TO SAY A COUPLE. NO, ABSOLUTELY. GET INTO ALL THAT. ABSOLUTELY. WE'LL DO THAT FOR SURE. SO ON EXHIBIT A, I AGREE WITH THE NOT TO EXCEED $100. AND I WOULD THINK THEY'RE NOT GETTING A PERMIT.

[01:20:02]

THE NEXT TIME AROUND, WHATEVER, I KNOW IT'S GOING TO GO DOWN AND NOT BE THE SAME. I DON'T THINK I WANT TO ADDRESS THAT TO YOU BECAUSE I KNOW MAYOR TINSLEY ASKED A QUESTION ABOUT SOMEONE TO SHARE THAT WITH ALL OF YOU. THIS PERMITTING PROCESS IS NOT GOING TO BE LIKE A SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT.

THIS IS GOING TO BE WE'LL WE'LL SET THIS UP ONLINE, LIKE MOST OF OUR OTHER APPLICATION PROCESSES.

AND THIS IS GOING TO BE A VERY SIMPLE APPLICATION, YOU KNOW, FOR THEM TO, FOR THE PET STORE TO APPLY BECAUSE THEY SAY, HEY, WE'RE HOSTING AN EVENT FOR THIS PET RESCUE.

WE VERIFY THAT THAT'S A LEGITIMATE PET RESCUE, AND YOU'RE GOOD TO GO.

RIGHT. THE 350 NUMBER I WAS GOOD WITH. I MEAN, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO SHOW ME WHY WE NEED TO GO HIGHER.

I MEAN, MY FATHER IN LAW JUST ADOPTED A DOG, AN 80 POUNDER, TWO MONTHS AGO FROM AN AGENCY, AND IT WAS COSTING 150 BUCKS. SO I DON'T I DON'T KNOW WHERE THE 500,600.

SOME OF THESE NUMBERS THAT MIGHT GET THROWN OUT.

I THINK WE NEED TO JUSTIFY THAT NUMBER. I THOUGHT 350 WAS PRETTY SPORTY.

IF YOU WANT TO GO HIGHER. I JUST NEED TO SEE WHY WE'RE GOING HIGHER. IN TERMS OF THE CATS, I GUESS I'M OKAY WITH THAT, BUT ARE THESE TWO FACILITIES HAVE CAGES FOR CATS WHERE THEY CAN KEEP THEM OVERNIGHT OR FOR A WEEKEND? THEY DO. THAT'S HOW WE DISCOVERED IT. IT'S LIKE A BUILT IN PERMANENT KIND OF LITTLE HOUSING FACILITY THERE FOR THE LITTLE CAT APARTMENT COMPLEX.

THE CAT FIGHTS GOING ON IN, THOSE THINGS SEPARATE. SO THAT'S WHAT ATTRACTED ATTENTION.

WE'RE LIKE, WHAT THE WHAT? BECAUSE TO THROW THAT OUT THERE, THIS THOUGHT.

BECAUSE JUST BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, I'M SORRY, I'M COMING FROM THE SCHOOL OF TRUST BUT VERIFY.

AND JUST BECAUSE SOMEBODY PUTS THE SIGN ADOPTION OVER IT DOESN'T CONVINCE ME BECAUSE AFTER THIS WAS ORDINANCE WAS ADOPTED, A LOT OF OTHER MUNICIPALITIES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY MIRRORED THIS ORDINANCE, BUT SOME OF THEM TRIED TO GET A LITTLE CREATIVE INSTEAD OF JUST STICKING TO WHAT WE HAD ORIGINALLY DRAFTED. AND SO THE VERY INDIVIDUAL THAT WE SHUT DOWN HERE IF YOU RECALL, I WAS ALSO SERVING AS THE CITY ATTORNEY IN DELRAY AT THE TIME, AND HE HAD ANOTHER PET STORE DOWN IN DELRAY, AND HE WAS CHARGING 1500 TO 2000 FOR ADOPTION.

SO IT'S BASICALLY LIKE, YOU KNOW, BUY THE BIRD SEED AND GET THE BIRD FOR FREE.

HE'S BASICALLY, YOU KNOW, CHARGING AN ADOPTION FEE AND SAYING THAT HE WASN'T SELLING THE DOGS.

AND SO THAT'S WHY WE CAME UP WITH THE BECAUSE I DON'T WANT AN AGENCY COMING IN HERE.

AND SOMETIMES THEY GET BREEDED PUPPIES, RIGHT, A LITTER.

AND I DON'T WANT THEM COMING IN HERE AND SAYING, WELL, THIS ONE MAYBE SHOULD BE 600, BUT A STRAY ONE WE GOT SHOULD BE 350.

SO, I MEAN, I GOT TO UNDERSTAND THE LANGUAGE OF ALL THAT OTHER DOLLAR AMOUNTS THAT YOU GUYS WANT TO THROW IN ON A CAP ON THIS SO I CAN UNDERSTAND IT BETTER.

I MEAN, THAT'S ALL I LIKE. I SAID, I THOUGHT 350 WAS PRETTY GOOD FROM A CAP STANDPOINT, BUT IF YOU'RE GOING TO GO HIGHER, JUST TELL ME WHY WE NEED TO GO HIGHER. I LOOKED AT IT KIND OF AN AVERAGE.

AND WHEN I STARTED, WHEN THE QUESTIONS STARTED COMING IN, I STARTED LOOKING AT IT MORE IN DEPTH.

AND THE PRICES VARY IN THAT ADULT DOGS, LIKE THE DOG YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, MAKES COMPLETE SENSE, BECAUSE THE ADULT DOGS DON'T NEED AS MANY VACCINE VACCINATIONS AND THEY DON'T NEED TO BE SPAYED OR NEUTERED.

AND THAT'S WHAT DRIVES THE COST UP. THAT'S WHY, BELIEVE IT OR NOT THE LITTLE PUPPIES ARE WAY MORE EXPENSIVE TO ADOPT THAN A FULL GROWN ADULT DOG BECAUSE THE ADULT DOGS HAVE ALREADY BEEN SPAYED AND NEUTERED TYPICALLY.

AND THEY DON'T. AND THEIR VACCINES ARE ARE ARE A LOT FEWER.

BUT BUT YEAH, I WILL I WILL I'LL GET SOME MORE INFORMATION FOR YOU SO THAT YOU GUYS CAN MAKE AN EDUCATED DECISION.

OKAY. I'M GOOD WITH POSTPONING IT AS WELL. THANK YOU.

DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS? OF COURSE I DO. THANK YOU.

I JUST WANT TO THANK MAX FOR, FIRST OF ALL, THINKING OF STARTING THIS UP AND ALSO LISTENING TO THE SUGGESTIONS OF OUR RESIDENTS AND THE PET CARE FOLKS THAT REACHED OUT TO YOU AND OUR COUNCIL SO SPECIFICALLY WANT TO THANK ALL OF THE NONPROFITS AND CARE PROVIDERS AND THE RESIDENTS THAT REACHED OUT TO COUNCIL TO GIVE US SOME INFORMATION THAT WE NEEDED.

AND WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO ALLOWING SHELTERS AND RESCUES AND STORES THE OPPORTUNITY TO COLLABORATE.

OUR FAMILY HAS KIWI AND GUAVA FROM EXACTLY THAT SAME THING.

TWO LITTLE CATS AND IT'S IT'S THE BEST THING.

SO THANK YOU FOR THE REGULATION TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING IS CARED FOR.

AND WE CAN REALLY SEE THAT IN YOUR WORK. SO THANK YOU. THAT'S VERY GOOD.

SO DO WE NEED TO MAKE A MOTION TO POSTPONE? YES, MA'AM.

JUST A MOTION TO POSTPONE TO A TIME CERTAIN. WHAT'S OUR NEXT MEETING? FEBRUARY. MARCH I MEAN MARCH. SORRY. MARCH 5TH.

MARCH 5TH TO MARCH 5TH. AND I'LL BRING IT BACK FOR SECOND READING THEN. THAT WAY WE DON'T HAVE TO RE-ADVERTISE IT. OH, PERFECT.

I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO POSTPONE ORDINANCE FOR 2026 TO OUR MARCH 5TH SECOND.

WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO POSTPONE UNTIL MARCH.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE, AYE. MOTION CARRIES 5 TO 0.

THANK YOU. OKAY. NEXT WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON TO ORDINANCE SIX 2026.

[VIII.e. *ORDINANCE 6, 2026 – (1ST READING) VOLUNTARY ANNEXATION ON THE WEST SIDE OF HOWELL LANE. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS, FLORIDA, ANNEXING, PURSUANT TO A PETITION FOR VOLUNTARY ANNEXATION, SIX (6) PARCELS OF REAL PROPERTY COMPRISING A TOTAL OF 9.49 ACRES, MORE OR LESS, LOCATED ON THE WEST SIDE OF HOWELL LANE APPROXIMATELY 0.2 MILES NORTH OF THE INTERSECTION OF NORTHLAKE BOULEVARD AND HOWELL LANE, IN PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA, AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED HEREIN AND AS DEPICTED ON THE MAP ATTACHED HERETO; DECLARING THAT THE VOLUNTARY ANNEXATION PETITION BEARS THE SIGNATURE OF THE OWNER OF THE REAL PROPERTY ANNEXED HEREBY; AMENDING ARTICLE II OF THE CITY CHARTER BY REDEFINING THE CORPORATE LIMITS; PROVIDING FOR TRANSMITTAL TO THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF STATE, THE PALM BEACH COUNTY CLERK OF COURT, AND PALM BEACH COUNTY; PROVIDING A CONFLICTS CLAUSE, A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, AND AUTHORITY TO CODIFY; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. ]

[01:25:06]

THANK YOU. PATTY. I'M GOING TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING AND ASK FOR A PRESENTATION.

GOOD EVENING, MADAM MAYOR. MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, I, FOR THE RECORD, MARTIN FITTS, PLANNING AND ZONING.

I HAVE BEEN SWORN IN. I DO HAVE A BRIEF PRESENTATION FOR YOU REGARDING ORDINANCE SIX 2026.

THIS IS A VOLUNTARY ANNEXATION REQUEST FOR SIX PARCELS TOTALING APPROXIMATELY 9.49 ACRES ON THE WEST SIDE OF POWELL LANE, APPROXIMATELY 0.2 MILES NORTH OF NORTHLAKE BOULEVARD.

THE PARCELS, AS SHOWN AS YOU CAN SEE, ARE ON THE WEST SIDE OF HOWARD LANE, IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT TO THE CHRIST FELLOWSHIP CHURCH AND AND THE HUNT CLUB ON THE WEST AND THE PLACE OF HOPE ON THE SOUTH. THESE PARCELS ARE ALL OWNED BY THE CHRIST FELLOWSHIP CHURCH.

THE. CURRENTLY THERE ARE FOUR SINGLE FAMILY HOMES ON THE SITE, WHICH ARE USED PRIMARILY FOR COUNSELING SERVICES.

THERE IS NO NEW USE PROPOSED WITH THE ANNEXATION.

IF AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE, A USE IS PROPOSED FOR THE SITE THAT WILL HAVE TO COME THROUGH THE CITY'S PROCESS AND WOULD COME BEFORE THE COUNCIL AS PART OF ANNEXATION REVIEW. STAFF REVIEWED THE THE PARCELS AGAINST THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STATE STATUTES CHAPTER 171 .044 TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT IT MEETS THE QUALIFICATIONS AND THE CRITERIA NECESSARY FOR ANNEXATION.

WE ALSO LOOK TO SEE THESE PARCELS ARE WITHIN THE CITY'S ANNEXATION AREA OF INTEREST NUMBER 13, IN THE CITY'S ANNEXATION STUDY, AND IT MEETS ALL OF THE LEVEL OF SERVICE STANDARDS FOR THE CITY.

I DO WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO TO TALK ABOUT ONE PARTICULAR CRITERIA FOR THE STATE STATUTES FOR ANNEXATION.

THE STATE REQUIRES THAT ALL PARCELS THAT ARE TO BE ANNEXED, WHETHER VOLUNTARILY OR THROUGH REFERENDUM, MUST BE CONTIGUOUS AND AND COMPACT, AND THESE PARCELS ARE CONTIGUOUS TO THE CITY'S BOUNDARIES ON THE WEST AND THE EAST SIDE.

AND THE STATE STATUTES FURTHER DEFINES THE COMPACTNESS AS MEANING A CONCENTRATION OF A PIECE OF PROPERTY IN A SINGLE AREA, AND PRECLUDES ANY ACTION WHICH WOULD CREATE AN ENCLAVE, A POCKET OF UNINCORPORATED LAND, OR A FINGER AREA IN SERPENTINE PATTERNS.

IT FURTHER DEFINES AN ENCLAVE AS ANY UNINCORPORATED, IMPROVED, OR DEVELOPED LAND THAT IS ENCLOSED WITHIN AND COMPLETELY BOUNDED ON ALL SIDES BY A SINGLE MUNICIPALITY. THIS IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE THE THE AREA AROUND THESE PARCELS IS AN EXISTING ENCLAVE.

IT'S SURROUNDED ON ALL FOUR SIDES, INCLUDING NORTH LAKE BOULEVARD. THE PROPOSED ANNEXATION IS REDUCING THE SIZE OF AN OF AN EXISTING ENCLAVE AND IS NOT CREATING ANY NEW ENCLAVES. AS YOU CAN SEE IN RED, THE REMAINING PARCELS WITHIN THE THIS EXISTING ENCLAVE CONTINUE TO BE CONNECTED, AND THE EFFECT OF THIS IS SIMPLY REDUCING THIS.

AND THIS IS A PROCESS THAT IS USED THAT THE CITY HAS USED MANY TIMES IN THE PAST, AND IS ALSO USED STATEWIDE TO MEET THE STATE STATUTES, INTENT OF REDUCING ENCLAVES AND EVENTUALLY REMOVING ENCLAVES THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

ON THE RIGHT, YOU CAN SEE WE HAVE AN EXAMPLE OF A PREVIOUS TIME IN THE CITY WHERE WE USED THIS PROCESS SEVERAL TIMES.

THIS IS THE ELLISON WILSON AREA, WHICH IS ON THE IMMEDIATE EAST SIDE OF THE INTERCOASTAL WATERWAY.

YOU MAY BETTER KNOW IT AS THE RITZ-CARLTON RESIDENCES AREAS.

WE'VE HAD THREE VOLUNTARY ANNEXATIONS OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS FOR THIS AREA, ALL OF WHICH REDUCED THE EXISTING ENCLAVE THAT IS SHOWN IN BLUE.

TO THE POINT THAT RIGHT NOW, WITHIN THIS AREA, WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO REDUCE IT DOWN TO A SINGLE PARCEL, AS YOU CAN SEE ON THIS. THIS IS A PROCESS, AS I SAID, THAT HAS BEEN USED MANY TIMES BOTH IN THE CITY AND THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

THE ANNEXATION HAS BEEN PROPERLY NOTICED BASED ON THE CODE AND THE STATE BEEN NOTICED ON THE SITE.

AND ALSO THE NEIGHBORING PROPERTY OWNERS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED BY MAIL AS A VOLUNTARY ANNEXATION.

IT THE COUNTY HAS A SPECIFIC VOLUNTARY ANNEXATION ORDINANCE THAT WE MUST FOLLOW.

[01:30:07]

THE PETITION WAS HEARD AT THE PLANNING, ZONING AND APPEALS BOARD MEETING IN JANUARY 13TH, AND IT WAS RECOMMENDED APPROVAL BY A VOTE OF 6 TO 0.

AND STAFF RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF ORDINANCE SIX. 2026 ON FIRST READING FOR THE ANNEXATION OF APPROXIMATELY 9.49 ACRES BASED ON THE FINDINGS OF FACT AND STAFF IS AVAILABLE IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND BEFORE WE MOVE ON, I NEGLECTED TO ASK FOR ANY EXPERTISE.

DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY EXPERTISE? NO. NONE. AND I DON'T EITHER.

OKAY. THANK YOU. DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR MR. FITZ? NO. THANK YOU. NO. VERY GOOD. WE LIKE ANNEXATIONS.

VERY GOOD. I DO NOT HAVE ANY COMMENT CARDS ON THIS ITEM, SO I'M GOING TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND BRING IT BACK FOR A DISCUSSION AND OR A VOTE. A MOTION, I SHOULD SAY.

I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE SIX. 2026.

FIRST READING. SECOND, WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. MOTION CARRIES FIVE ZERO. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. AND WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON.

ORDINANCE SEVEN AND ORDINANCE EIGHT WILL BE COMBINED PRESENTATION WITH SEPARATE VOTES TAKEN ON EACH ITEM.

MOVING ON TO ORDINANCE SEVEN WITH THE CLERK. PLEASE READ THE TITLE ORDINANCE SEVEN 2026, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS,

[VIII.f. ORDINANCE 7, 2026 – (1ST READING) CITY-INITIATED COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TEXT AMENDMENT. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS, FLORIDA, APPROVING CITY-INITIATED AMENDMENTS TO THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN INCLUDING TEXT AMENDMENTS TO THE FUTURE LAND USE ELEMENT, INTERGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION ELEMENT, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ELEMENT RELATED TO MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT (MXD), BIOSCIENCE USES, AND THE FORMER BIOSCIENCE LAND PROTECTION ADVISORY BOARD (BLPAB), AS WELL AS A MAP AMENDMENT TO THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP TO MODIFY THE BIOSCIENCE RESEARCH PROTECTION OVERLAY (BRPO); PROVIDING FOR TRANSMITTAL TO THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE; PROVIDING A CONFLICTS CLAUSE, A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, AND AUTHORITY TO CODIFY; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE; AND OTHER PURPOSES. ]

MXD BIOSCIENCE USES AND THE FORMER BIOSCIENCE LAND PROTECTION ADVISORY BOARD, BL, AB, AS WELL AS A MAP AMENDMENT TO THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP TO MODIFY THE BIOSCIENCE RESEARCH PROTECTION OVERLAY BRP PROVIDING FOR TRANSMITTAL TO THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, PROVIDING A COMPLEX CLAUSE, A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND AUTHORITY TO CODIFY, PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE FOR THE PURPOSES.

THANK YOU PATTI. I'M GOING TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING AND ASK FOR A PRESENTATION.

THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING. FOR THE RECORD, SAMANTHA MALONEY, THE PLANNING AND ZONING DEPARTMENT.

I BRING ORDINANCE SEVEN AND ORDINANCE EIGHT TO YOU TONIGHT AS STAFF INITIATED AMENDMENTS TO OUR COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND OUR LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS.

THE BACKUP MATERIAL THAT WAS PROVIDED WITH THE AGENDA IS VERY THOROUGH IN THE STRIKETHROUGH AND UNDERLYING MODIFICATIONS TO ALL OF THE TEXT AMENDMENTS AND THE MAP AMENDMENT THAT GO ALONG WITH THIS, THESE TWO ORDINANCES.

SO WITH THAT, I WILL KEEP THIS PRESENTATION VERY BRIEF AND STICK TO SOME OF THIS BACKGROUND INFORMATION THAT IS THE BASIS OF THESE AMENDMENTS.

SO TO START, OUR COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CURRENTLY ALLOWS SEVEN DWELLING UNITS PER ACRE FOR THE RESIDENTIAL DENSITY IN MIXED USE DEVELOPMENTS.

THAT PROVISION IS REMAINING WITHIN THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND IS BEING ADDED TO OTHER POLICIES WHERE IT BELONGS WITH THE OTHER RESIDENTIAL DENSITY THAT'S PROVIDED.

IN ADDITION, THAT'S ALSO BEING INCLUDED AND CLARIFIED WITHIN OUR LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS.

SECOND TO THAT, CURRENTLY OUR CODE AND OUR COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ALLOW FOR PUDS AND PCDS TO REQUEST A TWO DWELLING UNIT PER ACRE DENSITY BONUS. AND THAT IS APPLICABLE TO ALL RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS THAT ARE DEVELOPED AS PUDS OR PCDS.

AND SO WITH THAT IN MIND, THE ELDERS, THE LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS PREVIOUSLY ALLOWED FOR THREE DWELLING UNITS PER ACRE AS A DENSITY BONUS FOR MKD PUDS.

AND SO THAT IS BEING ADDED BACK INTO OUR CODE AND REFERENCED IN OUR COMP PLAN FOR A TOTAL POTENTIAL OF TEN DWELLING UNITS PER ACRE FOR MOST DEVELOPMENTS. THE SECOND ASPECT OF THESE AMENDMENTS IS THE BIOSCIENCE OVERLAY.

IN 2006, THE BIOSCIENCE LAND PROTECTION ADVISORY BOARD WAS CREATED AND ALONG WITH THAT, THE BIOSCIENCE RESEARCH PROTECTION OVERLAY IN AN EFFORT TO ACCOMMODATE AND INCENTIVIZE THE SCRIPPS FLORIDA DEVELOPMENT AT THAT TIME AND ENCOURAGE BIOSCIENCE DEVELOPMENT THROUGHOUT THE CITY AND SURROUNDING CITIES.

BUT IN 2024, THAT BOARD WAS TERMINATED AS THEY NO LONGER SERVED A NECESSARY FUNCTION FOR THE COMMUNITY AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES.

AND SO OUR COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND OUR CODE HAS SEVERAL ELEMENTS AND AREAS THAT NEED TO BE UPDATED TO REMOVE THAT REFERENCE.

[01:35:03]

THERE ARE ALSO POLICIES WITHIN THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION ELEMENT AND THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ELEMENT RELATED TO THE BIOSCIENCES, THAT ALSO NEED TO BE CLEANED UP. THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP AMENDMENT IS TO REMOVE ABOUT 350 ACRES FROM THE BIOSCIENCE OVERLAY.

YOU CAN SEE ON THE LEFT IS THE CURRENT OVERLAY COVERAGE OF ABOUT 520 ACRES, AND ON THE RIGHT IS THE PROPOSED REMAINING OVERLAY OF 169 ACRES OVER THE ALTON PARCELS. AND THE REASON FOR THAT IS TO MAINTAIN CONSISTENCY WITH THE ALTON DEVELOPMENT ORDER AND THE USE ENTITLEMENTS FOR THAT PROPERTY. AND FOR THAT REASON, BIOSCIENCE REFERENCES ARE BEING LIMITED BUT MAINTAINED IN OUR COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO ENSURE CONSISTENCY IN THE FUTURE.

THE LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS, OR OUR CODE IS ALSO BEING AMENDED, AS I SAID, TO PROVIDE THAT CONSISTENCY BETWEEN THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND THE CODE FOR ALL OF THE SAME AMENDMENTS THAT I'VE DISCUSSED. PUBLIC NOTICE WAS APPROPRIATELY PROVIDED FOR THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENTS AND THE CODE AMENDMENTS.

AND ON JANUARY 14TH, THE PLANNING, ZONING AND APPEALS BOARD DID RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF ALL THREE AMENDMENTS BY VOTES OF 7 TO 0.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR MISS SAMANTHA? NOPE. OKAY. I DO NOT HAVE ANY CARDS ON THIS ITEM, SO I'M GOING TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND BRING IT BACK FOR A MOTION AND OR DISCUSSION. I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE SEVEN 2026 FIRST READING.

SECOND. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? NONE. SEEING AS NONE. I'LL CALL THE VOTE. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. MOTION CARRIES 5 TO 0. THANK YOU. NOW WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON TO ORDINANCE EIGHT 2026.

[VIII.g. ORDINANCE 8, 2026 – (1ST READING) CITY-INITIATED LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS (LDR) TEXT AMENDMENT. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 78 – LAND DEVELOPMENT BY REPEALING SECTION 78-153. – NONRESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICT REGULATIONS. AND READOPTING SAME, AS REVISED; FURTHER AMENDING CHAPTER 78 AT SECTION 78-154. – PUD—PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT OVERLAY DISTRICT. BY AMENDING SUBSECTIONS (g)(1), (g)(4), AND (g)(7) AND BY REPEALING SUBSECTION (i) IN ITS ENTIRETY; FURTHER AMENDING CHAPTER 78 AT SECTION 78-155. – PCD—PLANNED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT OVERLAY DISTRICT (PCD). BY AMENDING SUBSECTIONS (c), (e), (j), AND (m) AND BY REPEALING SUBSECTION (s) IN ITS ENTIRETY; FURTHER AMENDING CHAPTER 78 AT SECTION 78-157. – MXD—MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT. BY REPEALING SUBSECTIONS (c), (e), AND (f) AND READOPTING SAME, AS REVISED, BY REPEALING SUBSECTIONS (g) AND (h) IN THEIR ENTIRETY, AND BY RENAMING SUBSECTIONS (i) THROUGH (l) AS SUBSECTIONS (g) THROUGH (j); FURTHER AMENDING CHAPTER 78 AT SECTION 78-159. – PERMITTED USES, MINOR AND MAJOR CONDITIONAL USES, AND PROHIBITED USES. BY REPEALING SUBSECTIONS (j)(3) AND (j)(4) AND READOPTING SAME, AS REVISED; FURTHER AMENDING CHAPTER 78 BY REPEALING SECTION 78-232. – SCRIPPS FLORIDA PHASE II—DESIGN GUIDELINES. IN ITS ENTIRETY; PROVIDING THAT EACH AND EVERY OTHER SECTION AND SUBSECTION OF CHAPTER 78 – LAND DEVELOPMENT SHALL REMAIN IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT AS PREVIOUSLY ADOPTED; PROVIDING A CONFLICTS CLAUSE, A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, AND AUTHORITY TO CODIFY; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE; AND OTHER PURPOSES.]

FURTHER AMENDING CHAPTER 78, SECTION 78 155. PCD PLANNED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT OVERLAY DISTRICT PCD BY AMENDING SUBSECTIONS C, E, G, AND M, AND BY REPEALING SUBSECTION S IN ITS ENTIRETY.

FURTHER AMENDING CHAPTER 78, SECTION 78 157 MIXED MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT BY REPEALING SUBSECTIONS C, E, AND F AND ADOPTING SAME AS REVISED BY REPEALING SUBSECTIONS G AND H IN THEIR ENTIRETY AND BY RENAMING SUBSECTION I THROUGH L AS SUBSECTIONS G THROUGH J. FURTHER AMENDING CHAPTER 78, SECTION 78 159.

PERMITTED USES MINOR AND MAJOR CONDITIONAL USES AND PROHIBITED USES BY REPEALING SUBSECTIONS J3 AND J4 AND ADOPTING SAME AS REVISED FURTHER AMENDING CHAPTER 78 BY REPEALING SECTION 78 232.

SCRIPPS FLORIDA PHASE TWO DESIGN GUIDELINES IN ITS ENTIRETY, PROVIDING THAT EACH AND EVERY OTHER SECTION AND SUBSECTION OF CHAPTER 78 LAND DEVELOPMENT SHALL REMAIN IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT AS PREVIOUSLY ADOPTED, PROVIDING A CONFLICT CLAUSE, A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, AND AUTHORITY TO CODIFY, PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

THANK YOU. PATTI. I'M GOING TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. WE ALREADY HAD A PRESENTATION.

I DO NOT HAVE ANY COMMENT CARDS ON THIS ITEM, SO I'M GOING TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND BRING IT BACK FOR A MOTION.

I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE EIGHT 2026 FIRST READING.

SECOND, WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ZERO. WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON TO ORDINANCE NINE 2026 WITH THE CLERK.

[VIII.h. *ORDINANCE 9, 2026 – (1ST READING) VOLUNTARY ANNEXATION LOCATED AT 2973 AVOCADO LANE. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS, FLORIDA, ANNEXING, PURSUANT TO A PETITION FOR VOLUNTARY ANNEXATION, ONE (1) PARCEL OF REAL PROPERTY COMPRISING A TOTAL OF 4.37 ACRES, MORE OR LESS, LOCATED ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF RICHARD ROAD APPROXIMATELY 0.12 MILES WEST OF ALTERNATE A1A, IN PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA, AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED HEREIN AND AS DEPICTED ON THE MAP ATTACHED HERETO; DECLARING THAT THE VOLUNTARY ANNEXATION PETITION BEARS THE SIGNATURE OF THE OWNER OF THE REAL PROPERTY ANNEXED HEREBY; AMENDING ARTICLE II OF THE CITY CHARTER BY REDEFINING THE CORPORATE LIMITS; PROVIDING FOR TRANSMITTAL TO THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF STATE, THE PALM BEACH COUNTY CLERK OF COURT, AND PALM BEACH COUNTY; PROVIDING A CONFLICTS CLAUSE, A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, AND AUTHORITY TO CODIFY; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. ]

[01:40:01]

THANK YOU. PATTY, I'M GOING TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING AND ASK FOR ANY EXPERTISE. NONE.

NONE? NONE. AND I HAVE NONE AS WELL. AND THEN NOW ON TO OUR STAFF PRESENTATION.

GOOD EVENING, MADAM MAYOR. MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL ONCE AGAIN, MARTIN FITZ.

PLANNING AND ZONING. I HAVE BEEN SWORN IN AND I DO AGAIN HAVE ANOTHER SHORT PRESENTATION FOR ORDINANCE NINE 2026.

THIS IS A VOLUNTARY ANNEXATION REQUEST FOR ONE PARCEL TOTALING APPROXIMATELY 4.37 ACRES, LOCATED AT 2973 AVOCADO LANE.

AS YOU CAN SEE ON THE MAP, THE SITE IS LOCATED ABOUT 0.12 MILES WEST OF THE INTERSECTION OF ALTERNATE A1, A AND RICHARD ROAD, IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT TO THE RICHARD ROAD SUBSTATION OF THE SEACOAST UTILITY AUTHORITY.

THE PARCELS ARE OWNED BY. THE PARCEL IS OWNED BY ACRES LAND TRUST.

CURRENTLY, THE SITE WAS FORMERLY A MOBILE HOME PARK.

IT'S NOW CURRENTLY VACANT. THERE IS NO PROPOSED USE PROPOSED WITH THE ANNEXATION.

I DO WANT TO POINT OUT, HOWEVER, THAT THE NORTHERN PORTION OF THE SITE IS WILL BE USED AS THE SECOND PHASE OF THE CONGRESS AVENUE EXTENSION.

THE FIRST PHASE, AS YOU MAY KNOW, IS NOW OPEN UP TO AVOCADO LANE.

THE NORTHERN PORTION OF THE SITE ILLUSTRATED HERE, WILL IS CURRENTLY THE SUBJECT OF A EMINENT DOMAIN PROCEEDING THROUGH THE COUNTY.

ALSO, AS YOU CAN SEE, THE SOUTHERN PORTION OF THE SITE REMAINS AVAILABLE FOR DEVELOPMENT.

HOWEVER, NO PROPOSED USE FOR THAT PORTION OF THE SITE HAS BEEN PRESENTED TO THE CITY AT THIS TIME.

AS MENTIONED PREVIOUSLY, WE AS PART OF THE ANNEXATION, THE CITY REVIEWED THE PARCEL FOR CONSISTENCY WITH STATE STATUTES.

THE SITE IS DOES MEET ALL THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR ANNEXATION.

IT IS WITHIN THE ANNEXATION AREA OF INTEREST, 23 OF THE CITY'S ANNEXATION STUDY, AND IT MEETS ALL THE CITY'S LEVEL OF SERVICE STANDARDS.

THE SITE HAS BEEN DULY NOTICED, BOTH WITH MAILERS AND THE SITE BEING POSTED.

NOTICE HAS BEEN PROVIDED TO THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND THE PLANNING DIRECTOR, CONSISTENT WITH THE COUNTY'S ANNEXATION ORDINANCE, AND THE PROPERTY IS NOT WITHIN THE UNINCORPORATED PROTECTION AREA, SO NO FURTHER ACTION BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS IS REQUIRED.

THIS WILL BE HEARD AT THE PLANNING, ZONING AND APPEALS BOARD AT NEXT WEEK'S MEETING ON FEBRUARY 10TH, AND STAFF WILL PRESENT THEIR RECOMMENDATION AT THE NEXT HEARING AT THE SECOND READING.

STAFF DOES RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF ORDINANCE NINE 2026.

AT FIRST READING FOR THE ANNEXATION OF 4.37 ACRES, BASED ON THE FINDINGS OF FACT AND STAFF IS AVAILABLE IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.

THANK YOU. MR.. ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? NO.

I JUST WANT TO THANK HIM FOR SHOWING THE POTENTIAL ROADWAY THAT MIGHT GO THROUGH THERE AND WHAT IT MIGHT LOOK LIKE FROM THE COUNTY'S PERSPECTIVE, IF THEY BUILD IT ACROSS A PARTIAL, A PORTION OF THAT LAND.

SO THANK YOU FOR SHOWING THAT. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO LET PEOPLE KNOW THAT THERE'S POTENTIALLY GOING TO BE ANOTHER ACCESS THAT WILL GO OUT THE OTHER WAY, INSTEAD OF THE BEAUTIFUL CONGRESS EXTENSION THAT WAS DONE FOR ABOUT A MILE OR HALF A MILE INWARD THAT'S NOW OPEN.

BUT THANK YOU FOR SHOWING THAT I APPRECIATE IT.

NO. DO WE HAVE A TIMETABLE ON THE PHASE TWO OF THE CONGRESS? I KNOW CONGRESS ROAD EXTENSION IS LIKE A TEN YEAR PROJECT THAT'S BEEN OCCURRING FOR WHAT SEEMS LIKE FOREVER.

BUT IS THERE A PHASE TWO SCHEDULE? WE DON'T HAVE A SPECIFIC TIME SCHEDULE. WE HAVE BEEN ADVOCATING FOR THE COMPLETION.

WE BELIEVE THAT THE FIRST PHASE BEING COMPLETED WILL PROVIDE THE MOMENTUM THAT'S NECESSARY FOR THE COUNTY TO COMPLETE THE SECOND PHASE.

BUT THE COUNTY IS STILL IN THE EMINENT DOMAIN PROCESS FOR THAT.

SO THEY HAVE TO COMPLETE THAT. THEN THEY HAVE TO GET THE CONTRACT, AND THEN THEY'LL BE ABLE TO GIVE US A MORE DEFINITIVE TIME TIMELINE.

BUT IT IS FUNDED. IT'S FUNDED. OKAY. THAT'S A GOOD THAT'S A GOOD VERY IMPORTANT PART OF THAT.

AND IT IS AN AMAZING RELIEVER ROAD FOR, YOU KNOW, THE INTERSECTION OF NORTH LAKE.

SO LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT. THANK YOU. I DO NOT HAVE ANY COMMENT CARDS ON THIS.

I'M GOING TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND BRING IT BACK FOR A MOTION UNDER DISCUSSION.

I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE NINE 2026 FIRST READING.

SECOND. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. MOTION CARRIES 5 TO 0. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

[01:45:01]

[X. ITEMS FOR COUNCIL ACTION/DISCUSSION AND ITEMS OF INTEREST: ]

BUT WE WE HAVE ONE AT MY DEPARTMENT ALSO. AND I JUST WANT YOU GUYS TO UNDERSTAND HOW HARD THAT IS TO WIN THAT IT'S A PRETTY BIG ACHIEVEMENT.

AND THE AMOUNT OF TRAINING THAT THOSE GUYS DO OUTSIDE ON THEIR OWN TIME IS REALLY TO BE COMMENDED.

AND IT'S A HUGE THING THAT THEY DO. AND LIKE I SAID, THEY'RE COMPETING.

WE'RE A TOP TIER FIRE DEPARTMENT. BUT WHEN THEY GO AND THEY COMPETE, THEY'RE COMPETING AGAINST OTHER TOP TIER DEPARTMENTS, AND THEY'RE NOT COMPETING AGAINST JUST ANYBODY. THEY'RE COMPETING AGAINST THE BEST OF THE BEST. SO WHEN THEY WIN THIS, THIS MAKES THEM THE BEST OF THE BEST. AND IT GAVE ME A LOT OF PRIDE TO SEE THAT TONIGHT. SO I'D JUST LIKE TO THANK THOSE GUYS INDIVIDUALLY FOR, YOU KNOW, JUST REPRESENTING THE CITY, THE DEPARTMENT AND OUR PROFESSION.

JUST I MEAN, IT'S JUST SO PROUD. AND TO THOSE GUYS JUST THANK YOU AND KEEP KEEP AT IT AND GO GET THEM BROTHERS.

AND THE NEXT THING IS WE FOLLOWING UP ON THAT WAS WE JUST DID PUBLIC SAFETY DAY, AND WHAT WE SAW THERE WAS SO IMPRESSIVE BETWEEN ALL OF OUR FIRST RESPONDERS.

BUT THIS IS EVEN ANOTHER LEVEL ABOVE THAT. SO IF THEY EVER DO ONE AGAIN, I'D ENCOURAGE YOU IF THEY DO THEM LOCAL, IS TO KIND OF GO AND WATCH IT AND SEE WHAT THEY DO BECAUSE LIKE YOU SAID, THEY ARE BLINDFOLDED AND IT RECREATES DRILLS THAT ARE WHERE FIREFIGHTERS HAVE ACTUALLY DIED BEFORE. SO IT'S NOT LIKE SOMETHING THEY'RE JUST MAKING UP.

IT'S IT KIND OF BRINGS THAT TO THE FIREFIGHTERS IN THE FIELD TO SEE IF THINGS WHERE THEY COULD SAVE THEIR OWN.

SO IT NOT ONLY MAKES THEM BETTER BY THEIR TRAINING, BUT IT MAKES ALL THE GUYS IN OUR DEPARTMENT BETTER BECAUSE THEY BRING THAT BACK TO THEM.

SO I JUST COMMEND THEM ON BRINGING THAT AND GOING THE EXTRA MILE TO MAKE TAKING THEIR OWN TIME TO MAKE OUR DEPARTMENT BETTER. AND I HAD A LITTLE PERSONAL NOTE.

I, YOU KNOW, WITH THE LAST TWO MONTHS WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE MANURE AND EVERYTHING.

THE JEWISH FEDERATION INVITED ME TO GO ON A TRIP TO ISRAEL.

I LEAVE NEXT SUNDAY, SO I TOOK THEM UP ON THAT OFFER TO GO EDUCATE MYSELF ON THE JEWISH RELIGION AND THE HISTORY OF ISRAEL.

AND IT WON'T GO ANY ANY MONEY TO THE TAXPAYERS.

I'LL BE PAYING FOR WHATEVER COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH IT OUT OF MY OWN DIME.

SO I WANT THE TAXPAYERS TO KNOW THAT. I JUST THINK IT'LL BE A GOOD THING FOR ME TO LEARN, AND I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT IT.

SO THE ONLY OTHER THING I HAVE IS, I DON'T KNOW, ARE WE ALLOWED TO REMIND THE VOTERS THAT TO FILL OUT AN ABSENTEE IF THEY HAVEN'T? IS THAT LEGAL? YEAH. SO WE GOT AN ELECTION COMING UP.

I RAN LAST YEAR, AND I KNOW ABSENTEE VOTERS. THEY GOT RESET AFTER THE GENERAL ELECTION.

SO IF YOU ARE AN ABSENTEE VOTER, GET OUT THERE AND SIGN UP FOR YOUR ABSENTEE VOTE.

SHE WOULD KNOW IT'S FEBRUARY 9TH, SO SIGN UP BY FEBRUARY 9TH AND GET THOSE ABSENTEES.

THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER VICE MAYOR, DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE? NO. PUBLIC SAFETY DAY WAS GREAT.

A GOOD TIME WAS HAD BY ALL. IT WAS AN AMAZING, BEAUTIFUL DAY OUT THERE.

SO THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WERE OUT THERE. I KNOW WE HAVE SEVERAL OTHER EVENTS COMING UP IN MARCH.

IN FEBRUARY 2ND, WE HAVE MARDI GRAS COMING UP IN A WEEK OR TWO.

SO FEBRUARY 14TH AND 15TH. AND THEN WE HAVE THE COGNIZANT CLASSIC COMING.

SO I KNOW THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF ACTIVITY THROUGHOUT OUR CITY. SO WE'RE WELCOMING EVERYBODY WITH OPEN ARMS AND YEAH.

SO LOOKING FORWARD TO YOU KNOW, DOING A LOT MORE EXCITING THINGS.

ANYBODY ELSE WANT TO SHARE ANYTHING? THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. SO WANTED TO FOLLOW UP ON A RESIDENT.

SORRY, NOT ACTUALLY A RESIDENT. A PERSON WHO CAME TO FILL OUT A PUBLIC COMMENT CARD AND SPEAK LAST MONTH.

U.S. ARMY SERGEANT BLAKE DELOACH WAS CONCERNED ABOUT HIS DAILY WALK AS A BLIND, WOUNDED VETERAN LIVING OFF OF HAMLIN ROAD AND NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF COCONUT.

AND I WANTED TO THANK THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE INDIAN TRAIL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT, ELIZABETH ACCOMANDO, FOR JOINING US FOR A WALK ALONG WITH THE CEO.

AND THE TIME THAT THEY TOOK, AS THAT AREA IS NOT ANYTHING THAT PALM BEACH GARDENS CAN DO ANYTHING ABOUT, BUT THEY TOOK THE TIME TO EXPERIENCE THIS WALK WITH HIM THAT HE TAKES EVERY DAY.

IT WAS HARROWING. IT'S A SMALL TWO LANE ROAD THAT HAS SEMIS GOING DOWN IT ALL THE TIME.

THEY WERE GRACIOUS. THEY WERE GRACIOUS WHEN THEY SPOKE TO US.

THEY WERE GRACIOUS THAT DAY AND THEY WERE APPRECIATIVE OF COCONUT GETTING DONE SO QUICKLY.

AND THEY'RE REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT, HOPEFULLY ALLEVIATING SOME OF WHAT THEY'RE SEEING ON THEIR ROADWAY. AND IT IS, IS IS AWARE OF HIS OF THE DIFFICULTIES OF THE RESIDENTS THAT LIVE ALONG THAT STRIP.

AND SO I JUST WANTED TO TELL EVERYONE ON THAT, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING SOME OF THEIR SOLUTIONS.

THEY ARE PUTTING IN SOME TRAFFIC CALMING IMMEDIATELY, SUPPOSEDLY SOME ABILITY FOR PEOPLE TO SEE QUITE HOW FAST THEY'RE GOING.

THERE ARE ABOUT TEN CARS THAT WENT ZOOMING BY US AT ABOUT 50 TO 60 MILES AN HOUR ON THIS LITTLE RESIDENTIAL STRIP,

[01:50:05]

MY PERSONAL OPINION, I KNOW THAT'S CONTENTIOUS AT THE COUNTY RIGHT NOW, BUT IT WAS I FEEL SO SORRY FOR THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE ON THAT ROAD, SO I'M REALLY GLAD THAT THE IT TOOK HOURS OUT OF THEIR DAY TO SPEND THE TIME.

IT WAS A LOVELY DAY, DESPITE ALL THAT. AND HE IS A LOVELY GENTLEMAN AND I HOPE THAT GOOD THINGS HAPPEN.

THANK YOU. VERY NICE. THANK YOU. MAYBE THE COUNTY NEEDS TO BE SPEED BUMPS ON THE ROAD OUT THERE OR.

YEAH. A COUPLE THINGS. FIRST OF ALL, I HAD A CHANCE TO ATTEND THE HERO GOLF CHALLENGE A COUPLE WEEKS AGO AT OLD PALM GOLF CLUB.

THE LASSITER FAMILY JOE AND HIS WIFE JULIE, AND THEIR SON, MATT INVITED ME TO GO OUT THERE AND CHECK OUT THE ACTION FOR A HALF A DAY.

AND I KNOW BOTH OF OUR CHIEFS WERE OUT THERE.

A BUNCH OF THEIR MANAGEMENT TEAM AND STAFF WERE OUT THERE. AND, YOU KNOW, WE HEAR A LOT ABOUT FRENCHMAN'S CREEK CHARITABLE FOUNDATIONS.

WE HEAR A LOT ABOUT BALLENISLES AND OTHER COMMUNITIES, THEIR FOUNDATIONS AS WELL.

BUT I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE OLD PALM EVENT, WHICH HAS BEEN GOING ON ABOUT THREE YEARS. APPARENTLY FOR THE FIRST COUPLE YEARS IT WAS FOR THE SHERIFF DEPARTMENT, WHERE ALL THE MONEY IS RAISED WITHIN THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, AND THEY BROUGHT IN THEIR HELICOPTERS AND THEIR TACTICAL TEAMS. IT WAS PRETTY IMPRESSIVE.

BUT NOW HALF OF THE MONEY IS RAISED DURING THAT DAY GO TO OUR POLICE AND FIRE FOUNDATION.

SO THEY SPLIT IT HALF AND HALF, SO THAT THE HALF A DAY THAT I WAS THERE, THE EVENTS WENT ON.

THERE WERE SOME RAFFLES, SOME OTHER THINGS, AND IN ONE HALF DAY THEY RAISED $230,000, WHICH IS REALLY IMPRESSIVE.

AND HALF THE MONEY WENT TO THE SHERIFF AND HALF GOES TO OUR FOUNDATION.

SO THANK YOU FOR OUR CHIEFS FOR BEING OUT THERE, OUR FIRE TRUCK, THE FLAG, ALL THE GUYS WERE OUT THERE IN THEIR WHITES, ALL THE FIRE. I MEAN, IT WAS IMPRESSIVE. IT REALLY WAS IMPRESSIVE. IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL DAY BEFORE THE FRONT CAME THROUGH THAT AFTERNOON AND AND THEN THE COLD FRONT BEHIND IT.

BUT WHOEVER PICKED THAT DAY PICKED THE RIGHT DAY.

AND IT WAS A TOTALLY IMPRESSIVE EVENT WITH A FUNDRAISING THAT IS SUPPORTED AND NEEDED FOR THOSE TWO AGENCIES.

AND THANK YOU TO THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT FOR ALLOWING US TO GET INVOLVED AND TAKE HALF OF THAT MONEY, WHICH THEY PROBABLY DIDN'T HAVE TO, BUT IT JUST SHOWS GOOD CAMARADERIE WITH THE COMMUNITY AND GOOD COLLABORATION WITH THE TWO DEPARTMENTS. AND WHEN THEY DID BRING THEIR HELICOPTERS IN FOR KIND OF A RESCUE SITUATION, IT'S IMPRESSIVE. THEIR THEIR HELICOPTER. IT'S IMPRESSIVE.

I CAN TELL YOU THAT. IT SCARED THE HELL OUT OF ME, BUT IT'S THE WAY THEY CAME DOWN AND JUMPING OUT OF THERE AND SMOKE AND FIRE AND ALL KINDS OF THINGS THEY WERE DOING. I KNOW, CHIEF, YOU WERE EXCITED TOO. YOU HAD TO BE. AND OUR GUYS WERE OUT THERE DOING THEIR THING, BUT IT WAS IMPRESSIVE. SO THANK YOU TO OLD PAM FOR THAT AND THE LAST OF YOUR FAMILY FOR HAVING ME OUT THERE. ON A LIGHTER NOTE IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THE RIBBON CUTTING AT POPEYE'S. MY SONS ARE VERY EXCITED. ON FEBRUARY 20TH.

SO THAT SHOULD BE OPEN SOON. SO WE GOT THE INVITE TODAY.

SO I GUESS MAYBE WE'LL BE OUT THERE ON A FRIDAY NIGHT CHECKING OUT THE POPEYE'S ACTION OR WHATEVER, BUT IT'S COMING SOON ON NORTH LAKE. SO ENJOY IT WHEN IT OPENS.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, BERT. LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT.

SO JANUARY SEEMED TO BE LIKE A BLUR, BUT A BIG THANK YOU TO STAFF FOR MAKING THE GREEN MARKET 24TH ANNIVERSARY FUN AND A BIG SUCCESS. I KNOW THAT THERE'S A LOT OF WORK THAT GOES INTO ALL THESE EVENTS THAT OUR COMMUNITY THAT GETS TO ENJOY, AND WE APPRECIATE THAT. AND THEN, OF COURSE, THE EMERGE ART DEDICATION WAS ALSO A BIG SUCCESS, AND WE HAVE SO MUCH BEAUTIFUL ART AROUND OUR CITY.

SOMETIMES WE GET BLIND TO IT IN A WAY BECAUSE WE PASS BY IT SO MANY TIMES.

BUT IT WAS A GREAT EVENT AND IT WAS A IT'S A GORGEOUS PIECE OF ART RIGHT THERE IN OUR COMMUNITY CENTER.

SO EVERYONE GETS TO ENJOY THAT ONE. AND IT REALLY WOULD BE NICE TO IN THE FUTURE, ONE DAY HAVE AN INTERACTIVE MAP THAT EVERYONE CAN GET TO SEE THE ALL OF THE BEAUTIFUL ART THAT WE HAVE, YOU KNOW, ON OUR AMAZING APP THAT WE HAVE.

MAYBE WE CAN PUT SOME MONEY INTO THAT ONE DAY.

BUT ANOTHER, ANOTHER EVENT THAT I ATTENDED WAS THE ACE MENTORSHIP PROGRAM AT DWYER HIGH SCHOOL.

AND I HAVE TO SAY, THAT WAS A REAL HIGHLIGHT.

ALSO BECAUSE WE HAVE SUCH AMAZING STUDENTS IN OUR IN OUR SCHOOLS, AND THIS PARTICULAR EVENT WAS FOR FOR THE JUNIORS. SO GRADE 11, AND THEY WERE SO SMART.

SO IT WAS A REALLY NEAT PROGRAM. IF YOU GUYS HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT, I HIGHLY SUGGEST YOU DO.

AND I ALSO WANT TO LET EVERYONE KNOW THAT I WAS ALSO INVITED TO ACTUALLY INVITED BY THE AMERICAN JEWISH COMMITTEE TO JOIN THEM ON A DELEGATION TRIP TO ISRAEL. IT'S CALLED PROJECT INTERCHANGE, AND IT'S ALSO A NONPARTISAN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE OF THE AJC. ALL EXPENSES ARE PAID WITH THE EXCEPTION OF FOOD, WHICH I WILL BE PAYING PERSONALLY.

AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT TRIP AS WELL.

[01:55:02]

I'VE NEVER BEEN MY FAMILY'S BEEN FOUR TIMES, BUT I'VE NEVER BEEN.

SO I'M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO TO ATTENDING.

AND I GUESS THAT IS IT FOR ITEMS. NEXT IS OUR CITY ATTORNEY REPORT.

[XI. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT]

I'VE BEEN KEEPING THIS A SECRET FROM ALL OF YOU SINCE, WHAT, TUESDAY? IT'S NOT BAD. IT'S. DON'T WORRY. I'M NOT HIDING ANYTHING NEFARIOUS.

AS YOU'RE AWARE WE WERE SUED BY AARON'S COMPANIES OVER THE PAR THREE CLUBHOUSE AT THE NEST.

THEY DELIVERED THAT PROJECT 177 DAYS LATE, AND WE WITHHELD THREE PAY APPLICATIONS FROM THEM FOR THAT, BECAUSE THE FINAL AMOUNT DUE ON THEIR CONTRACT WAS $433,000 AND SOME CHANGE, BUT DUE TO THE 177 DAYS THAT THEY DELIVERED IT LATE, WE WERE ENTITLED TO LIQUIDATED DAMAGES OF $815,015.52.

WE WENT TO MEDIATION TUESDAY. I DIDN'T HAVE EVER THE PESSIMIST.

I DIDN'T REALLY HAVE ANY EXPECTATION THAT WE WOULD REACH A SETTLEMENT.

THERE'S A LOT OF PERSONALITIES INVOLVED, NOT MINE, BELIEVE IT OR NOT.

THAT I THOUGHT MIGHT PRECLUDE THAT SETTLEMENT.

YEAH, MAYBE. MAYBE MAYBE A LITTLE. YEAH, I GET I GET A LITTLE PROTECTIVE ABOUT THE CITY.

ESPECIALLY WHEN I FEEL LIKE YOU'RE GETTING A RAW DEAL. AND SO THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT IS, IS WE WERE ABLE TO REACH A SETTLEMENT IN THAT CASE.

AND THE REASON THAT WE WENT AHEAD AND, AND TOOK THE SETTLEMENT, IS IT WE HAD INCURRED WE'VE BEEN LITIGATING THIS NOW FOR ALMOST A YEAR AND A HALF, AND IT'S A VERY WITNESS INTENSIVE CASE. SO THERE WAS A LOT OF DISCOVERY, A LOT OF DEPOSITIONS.

AND EVER SINCE COVID, WHERE THE COURT REPORTERS ARE MAKING CASH, I'M TELLING YOU, I THINK I SHOULD TAKE A COURT REPORTING COURSE AND START DOING THAT.

IT'S A LOT LESS STRESSFUL AND THEY GET PAID A LOT OF MONEY. WE HAD INCURRED ABOUT $150,000 IN LEGAL FEES ABOUT $75,000 IN COSTS. SO WE WERE ABOUT $225,000 IN.

AND MY ESTIMATE TO GET US THROUGH TRIAL WAS PROBABLY GOING TO BE ABOUT ANOTHER 150 TO 200,000, BECAUSE THIS TRIAL WAS GOING TO BE 2 TO 3 WEEKS.

IT WAS GOING TO BE VERY INTENSE. ALL OF THIS OVER $433,000, MIND YOU, DIDN'T DIDN'T MAKE ANY SENSE TO ME.

LONG STORY SHORT WE WERE ABLE TO SETTLE IT AND WE SETTLED THE CASE.

IT WAS JUST A COMPLETE DISMISSAL. EVERYBODY WALKED AWAY. NOBODY GOT ANY MONEY.

WE DIDN'T TAKE ANY MONEY. THEY DIDN'T TAKE ANY MONEY.

NOW, AT FIRST BLUSH, THAT SEEMS LIKE, WELL, WE HAD $815,000 ON THE TABLE.

WELL, KEEP IN MIND AGAIN, I SAID IT WAS GOING TO COST US PROBABLY ANOTHER 150,000 TO 200 TO GET TO TRIAL.

SO THAT'S 375,000 ISH TO GET THROUGH TRIAL. THE $433,000 DUE AND OWING ON THAT CONTRACT WAS IT WAS MOST LIKELY GOING TO BE A SET OFF IF WE PROVED ALL OF OUR LIQUIDATED DAMAGES DAY FOR DAY.

THE COURT WAS GOING TO ALSO THEN AWARD THEM. MOST LIKELY THEY DID COMPLETE THE PROJECT.

THEY JUST DID IT LATE SO THE COURT WOULD GIVE THEM CREDIT FOR THEIR LIKE A $433,000 COUPON.

SO THAT WOULD HAVE LEFT US $382,000. OKAY, WE'LL JUST DO THE QUICK MATH.

I SAID 375 TO GET TO TRIAL. AND IF WE IF WE HIT A HOME RUN, WE'D GET 382.

SO WE'D NET $7,000 FOR ALL OF THAT WORK AND PAIN.

INSTEAD, IN THIS SETTLEMENT, THE OTHER SIDE. KEEP IN MIND, I'M CHARGING ABOUT JUST A LITTLE BIT LESS THAN HALF OF A MARKET RATE.

THEY SPENT OVER TWICE AS MUCH IN LEGAL FEES AS WE DID.

THEY SPENT ABOUT THE SAME AMOUNT IN COSTS AS WE DID WITH THEIR EXPERTS AND DEPOSITIONS.

AND IN THIS SETTLEMENT, THEY WALKED AWAY FROM THE 433,000.

SO THE WAY THIS MATH WORKS IN REALITY, BERT, YOU'LL LIKE THIS.

WE'RE ROUGHLY $225,000 IN. THEY WALKED AWAY FROM 433 THAT WE STILL HAVE IN OUR POCKET.

SO WE NET OUT $210,000, WHICH IS A $203,000 BENEFIT, MUCH MORE THAN WE WOULD IF I'D HAVE GONE TO TRIAL AND WON, WHICH I LIKED OUR CHANCES. BUT THIS WAS THE SMARTER SOLUTION.

AND I HAVE TO GIVE RON CREDIT, WE WE DIDN'T THINK THIS WAS GOING TO WORK.

AND THEN NEAR THE VERY END OF THE MEDIATION, WHEN WE FINALLY MADE THE OFFER.

AND THEN THEY CAME BACK AND ASKED FOR MONEY YET AGAIN.

WE HAD TALKED ABOUT IT AND ORIGINALLY JUST SAID, I JUST WANT YOU TO STAND UP WHEN THE MEDIATOR COMES BACK, LIKE YOU'RE GOING TO LEAVE THE ROOM. WELL, RON, EVER THE AD LIBBER JUST GOT UP AND WALKED OUT OF THE ROOM AND LEFT, JEFF AND I STANDING THERE. SO WE STOOD UP TO.

AND THEN OF COURSE, THE MEDIATOR FREAKED OUT A LITTLE BIT.

AND THEN THAT KIND OF SENT THE MESSAGE HOME AND THEY CAME BACK AND IT WAS A00.

[02:00:02]

WE NEVER WANTED THIS. THEY SUED US AND WE WERE LEFT.

WE WERE PUT IN NO OTHER POSITION BUT TO DEFEND.

SO THIS IS A VERY GOOD OUTCOME FOR THE CITY. IRONICALLY, THIS IS THE SAME DEAL THAT WAS OFFERED TO THEM BEFORE THEY SUED US 18 MONTHS, 18 MONTHS AGO. THEY WERE OFFERED EVERYBODY JUST RELEASES AND WAIVES THEIR CLAIMS AND MOVES ON.

AND IT WOULD HAVE THAT WOULD HAVE POTENTIALLY PRESERVED THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE CONTRACTOR.

AND NOW THAT RELATIONSHIP IS DESTROYED BASICALLY FOREVER.

BECAUSE WE'VE DONE PROJECTS WITH ERRANDS IN THE PAST, RIGHT? SEVERAL. YEAH. SO IT MADE NO SENSE. IT MADE ZERO SENSE.

AND AS I'VE SAID TO YOU, FOR THE ALMOST THE ENTIRE TIME, I THINK I'VE BEEN YOUR CITY ATTORNEY.

JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE GOOD AT FIGHTING DOESN'T MEAN YOU LIKE DOING IT. AND I REALLY HATE HAVING TO LITIGATE FOR THE CITY, FOR THE SENSE THAT WE'RE SPENDING MONEY FIGHTING OVER THINGS THAT I WOULD MUCH RATHER TRY TO WORK OUT AMICABLY AND RESOLVE AND THEN DO SPEND MY TIME HELPING THESE PEOPLE.

BUT THIS WAS WAS HUGE. I COULDN'T BE HAPPIER.

I MEAN, THIS TURNED OUT REALLY WELL. GOOD JOB.

THANK YOU. SO GOOD NEWS. THANK YOU. THERE'S MY REPORT.

I USUALLY DON'T GIVE ONE. THAT'S VERY, VERY LONG.

SO SHUT UP NOW. WELL, THAT WAS A GOOD ONE. THANK YOU.

OKAY IF NO ONE ELSE HAS ANYTHING ELSE, THEN THE MEETING IS ADJOURNED.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.