Regular Commission Meeting

Lake Park Town Commission, Florida Regular Commission Meeting Minutes Commission Chamber, Town Hall, 535 Park Avenue, Lake Park, FL 33403 Wednesday March 05, 2025 6:30 pm Roger Michaud __ Mayor Kimberly Glas Castro __ Vice Mayor Michael Hensley __ Commissioner Mary Beth Taylor __ Commissioner Judith Thomas __ Commissioner Richard J. Reade __ Town Manager Thomas J. Baird __ Town Attorney Vivian Mendez, MMC __ Town Clerk PLEASE TAKE NOTICE AND BE ADVISED, that if any interested person desires to appeal any decision of the Town Commission, with respect to any matter considered at this meeting, such interested person will need a record of the proceedings, and for such purpose, may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in order to participate in the meeting should contract the Town Clerk’s office by calling 881-3311 at least 48 hours in advance to request accommodations. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL 6:33 P.M. PRESENT Mayor Roger Michaud Vice-Mayor Kimberly Glas-Castro Commissioner Mary-Beth Taylor Commissioner Judith Thomas Commissioner Michael Hensley PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Roger Michaud led the Pledge. March 05, 2025 Page 1 SPECIAL PRESENTATION/REPORT: 1. Proclamation - In Honor of Kimberly Rowley Mayor Michaud presented the Community Development Department with a proclamation for Kimberly Rowley. Community Development Director Nadia DiTommaso spoke of the 18-years she worked with Ms. Rowley. She spoke about what a dedicated employee Ms. Rowley was and she always went above and beyond every single day. Community Development Director DiTommaso stated she will miss her friend and wishes her the very best. PUBLIC COMMENT: This time is provided for addressing items that do not appear on the Agenda. Please complete a comment card and provide it to the Town Clerk so speakers may be announced. Please remember comments are limited to a TOTAL of three minutes. James Sullivan -spoke in place of his wife Iris and referenced an email that was sent to staff and the Commission. Katia Zhestkova - expressed concerns with the zoning on 10th Street and Park Avenue. She provided a petition to the Town signed by residents in opposition of the 12 story building that is planned for the area. (Attached to comments as Exhibit A). Kervens Jean-Baptiste expressed concerns with the large development on 10th Street and Park Avenue. CONSENT AGENDA: All matters listed under this item are considered routine and action will be taken by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Commissioner or person so requests, in which event the item will be removed from the general order of business and considered in its normal sequence on the agenda. Any person wishing to speak on an agenda item is asked to complete a public comment card located on either side of the Chambers and given to the Town Clerk. Cards must be submitted before the item is discussed. Motion to approve the Consent Agenda made by Commissioner Thomas, Seconded by Commissioner Hensley. March 05, 2025 Page 2 Voting Yea: Mayor Michaud, Vice-Mayor Glas-Castro, Commissioner Taylor, Commissioner Thomas, Commissioner Hensley. 2. February 19, 2025 Regular Commission Meeting Minutes 3. Proclamation - Let’s Move Palm Beach County. 4. Proclamation - March 2025 Florida Bicycle Month 5. Ratification of Insurance Settlement - Florida Municipal Insurance Trust (FMIT) (Davis). 6. Re-appointment of Evelyn Harris Clark to the Planning & Zoning Board 7. Re-appointment of Patricia Leduc to the Planning & Zoning Board 8. Re-appointment of Richard Ahrens to the Planning & Zoning Board. 9. Request to Authorize the Town Manager to Spend Budgeted Funds for the Red, White & Blue Sunset Celebration Fireworks Display QUASI-JUDICIAL PUBLIC HEARING (RESOLUTION): NONE PUBLIC HEARING(S) - ORDINANCE ON FIRST READING: 10. Ordinance 01-2025 - Authorizing Participation in the Florida Retirement System (FRS) for All Town Employees - Effective July 1, 2025. AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN COMMISSION OF THE TOWN OF LAKE PARK, FLORIDA, ADOPTING THE FLORIDA RETIREMENT SYSTEM FOR GENERAL EMPLOYEES AND ELECTED OFFICIALS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Town Manager Reade explained the item via exhibit "B". Commissioner Hensley supported the switch to the Florida Retirement System (FRS). Commissioner Thomas stated that while the costs to the Town would not be decreased with FRS, it would enable the Town to attract better talent to the Town. She stated she is in favor of the Ordinance and the benefit to Town employees. Commissioner Taylor spoke in favor of FRS. Vice-Mayor Glas-Castro had no questions since it had already been discussed as a part of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Mayor Michaud stated he supports FRS for the Town. March 05, 2025 Page 3  Motion to approve Ordinance 01-2025 on first reading made by Commissioner Hensley, Seconded by Commissioner Taylor. Voting Yea: Mayor Michaud, Vice-Mayor Glas-Castro, Commissioner Taylor, Commissioner Thomas, Commissioner Hensley. Town Attorney Baird read the Ordinance by title only. PUBLIC HEARING(S) - ORDINANCE ON SECOND READING: NONE OLD BUSINESS: NONE NEW BUSINESS: NONE TOWN ATTORNEY, TOWN MANAGER, COMMISSIONER COMMENTS: Town Attorney Baird spoke about the proposal received for purchase of the 800 building. He stated that the bond restrictions on the property are no longer in place and the Town may consider other proposals. Vice-Mayor Glas-Castro spoke about other concerns that would need to be figured out such as the logistics and costs associated with losing that public space. Town Attorney Baird stated that the proposal received would be brought before the Commission for their consideration. Town Attorney Baird spoke about the retainer of $50,000 for Kimley-Horn to look at the density, traffic, and other impacts from development downtown. The contract will be brought back at the next meeting for consideration. The Commission agreed to this. Town Attorney Baird stated that the owner of 754 building is moving forward, but if the owner does not move forward he would like to proceed with legal action. Town Attorney Baird spoke about litigation regarding the leasing of an accessory dwelling unit (ADU). He stated that an agreement was made allowing the owner to lease both the house and the ADU according to Town code. Commissioner Thomas had question about damages. Town Attorney Baird stated there are no damages that are a part of the agreement. Vice-Mayor Glas-Castro made a motion to approve the settlement agreement and authorize the Mayor to sign. Seconded by Commissioner Taylor. Voting Aye: All. Town Manager Reade thanked the Town Attorney and the Community Development Director for working with the potential planning consultant. He provided information for an upcoming Request March 05, 2025 Page 4 for Proposals for Bert Bostrom Park. Town Manager Reade announced the Rust Market on Saturday March 15th, spoke about Library programs available to the public and about Town hosted Bicycle Tour on March 22nd. Town Manager Reade requested consensus for proclamations for Library week, Library Worker’s Day and also for Gopher Tortoise Day. The Commission agreed to all of the proclamation requests. Town Manager Reade spoke about the fill that is being offered and stated that the Town is not in need of the fill at this time and a letter will be sent out. Town Manager Reade stated the permit for the 754 Park Avenue building was applied for. Community Development Director Nadia DiTommaso stated that the permit is under review. Town Manager Reade stated that the owner will make an appearance at a future meeting. Town Clerk Mendez provided information about the upcoming election on Tuesday March 11th. Town Manager Reade asked the Commission to review the proposed budget calendar at their leisure. He stated they would like to hold budget hearings in September. Commissioner Hensley stated he spoke with the Town Manager about Hurricane Milton reimbursements. The Commission discussed the fun and antics from last Friday’s event. Commissioner Thomas spoke about how much she appreciates her fellow Commissioners. She also spoke about some errors she found on the Ordinance but did not specify the errors. Vice-Mayor Glas-Castro asked Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) Captain Thibodeau to provide the Commission with a report regarding the additional staff that were approved in the last budget. Captain Thibodeau provided a verbal report to the Commission. He stated the persons crimes had decreased in 2024. He stated that business burglaries increased and they are working on an action plan for that. The additional staff will help free up deputies for this. The new Community Service Aid processed 100 traffic accidents, has written over 60 citations, red tagged semi-trucks parked improperly, stands in for crossing guards, delivers confiscated driver’s licenses and license plates, and transports recovered bicycles. Captain Thibodeau stated that out of the 23 business burglaries, they were able to make 16 arrests. He spoke about the ShotSpotter program and how effective it has been. Commissioner Thomas thanked the Captain for their follow through on a case. Commissioner Thomas asked if staff could follow up on 1100 2nd Street. Vice-Mayor Glas-Castro thanked staff for a great Sunset Celebration. Commissioner Taylor hopes the Commission will keep the good spirit they have. March 05, 2025 Page 5  Town of Lake Park Town Commission Agenda Request Form Meeting Date: March 5, 2025 Originating Department: Human Resources Ordinance 01-2025 - Authorizing Participation in the Florida Retirement Agenda Title: System (FRS) for All Town Employees - Effective July 1, 2025. Agenda Category: Ordinance on First Reading. ___________________________________________________________________________________ Approved by Town Manager: Date: Cost of Item: $80,028 Funding Source: Please see funds listed below* Account Number: Finance Signature: Advertised: Date: N/A Newspaper: Attachments: Copy of Ordinance and Timeline for Entering Florida Retirement System and Leaving Corebridge Please initial one: BMT Yes I have notified everyone Not applicable in this case Summary Explanation/Background: Within the approved FY 2025 Budget, the Town Commission approved funding to participate/join in the Florida Retirement System (FRS), which is administered through the Florida Department of Management Services (FDMS). If approved, all Town employees and elected officials would begin to participate beginning on July 1, 2025. The proposed pension plan is offered by the state of Florida and numerous counties, municipalities, school districts, state agencies and other eligible organizations participate in the FRS pension program as an opportunity to bring in the best possible candidates to serve in positions within the organizations as well as to assist in retaining employees. It is expected that this program will immediately assist with the various position openings that the Town maintains as well as an opportunity to retain our employees who maintain incredible knowledge and commitment in growing and supporting our community. Note: Within the approved the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the Town and the Federation of Public Employees, Division of the National Federation of Public and Private Employees (AFL-CIO) on November 20, 2024, the Town and the AFL-CIO agreed to move all bargaining unit members into the proposed FRS plan Funding is included within the approved FY 2025 Budget to enable the Town to begin to participate in the proposed FRS pension program. Initial funding to support this change in employee benefits is expected to include:  General Fund - $58,720  Community Redevelopment Agency - $3,108  Streets and Roads - $1,105  Stormwater - $3,192  Sanitation - $7,320  Marina - $6,583 If approved on first reading, the proposed Ordinance will be presented to the Town Commission for second and final reading on March 19, 2025. Staff will immediately transmit the approved Ordinance to the FDMS – Division of Retirement and provide all requisite documentation to the FDMS – Division of Retirement to complete the initial participation process to ensure that the Town is eligible to participate in the new FRS pension program on or as close to July 1, 2025. Further, if approved, the Town would immediately proceed with closing out (terminate) its current Town- sponsored employee pension program (Corebridge Retirement Plan), which consists of a 401(a) pension plan and a 457(b) deferred compensation plan. A proposed Letter of Intent to Terminate the current Corebridge retirement plan and an amendment of the Corebridge plan documents is expected to be provided to the Town Commission for consideration during the March 19, 2025, Town Commission meeting. Finally, the Town’s HR Department will lead/offer various employee outreach and education trainings to ensure that our current staff are fully apprised of all opportunities and resources that are offered within the new, proposed FRS pension program. All proposed FRS participation costs, if approved, will be included within the proposed FY 2026 Budget for consideration by the Town Commission. The proposed Ordinance was prepared by the Florida Department of Management Services – Division of Retirement and reviewed by the Assistant Town Manager/HR Director and the Interim Finance Director. The Town has received information from a number of external agencies as well as current staff (along with the recommendation and agreement from the AFL-CIO) that this proposed employee pension benefit would contribute to improving the ability of the Town to recruit and retain employees. Recommended Motion: I move to approve Ordinance 01-2025 - Authorizing Participation in the Florida Retirement System (FRS) for All Town Employees - Effective July 1, 2025.