Town Council Regular Meeting

TOWN OF LOXAHATCHEE GROVES TOWN COUNCIL COMMUNITY OPEN DISCUSSION WORKSHOP APRIL 5, 2022 Meeting audio available in Town Clerk 's Office CALL TO ORDER Mayor Shorr called meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC There were public comments made by the foll owing: Thais Hagan, Katie Lakema n and Todd McLendo n . Ms. Lakeman asked fo r an explanation of why the C Road canal bank appears to be sliding a round 22 hundred block on C Road. Mr. Peters, Director of Public Wo rks responded by stating that the roadway benn has diminished cana l bank is not the proper s lope and is c urrently trying to be fi xed, but there have been some glitches, so the process has not gone has quickly as expected . Ms. Lakeman tha nked M r. Peters for his hard work but wanted it on the record that she has pointed this out before . Mayor Shorr asked Mr. Peters what the timeline is, what is the plan moving forward. Mr. Peters responded that is abo ut 300-foot sectio n that was proposed to be fi xed. Grading 3 days a week working on the canal bank, timeframe doesn' t have a specific o ne as of yet. Mr. Pe ters continued to g ive update about canals and their upkeep. Councilmember Maniglia asked about how the workforce is being distributed and equipment. Mr. Peters respo nded by stating where and in what conditions a ll the equipment was in. Councilmember Manig lia addressed the remaining Council about o ur 3-year buy ing. She suggested maybe chang ing the 3-year buying restriction or sho uld we hire a third-party company. Council Maniglia asked for a consen sus to go o ut for a third- party company to help with the work. Town Attorney Lenihan responded that staff would try to develop a scope for this. There was discussion among Town Council and staff. Ms. Lakeman asked could this be do ne before the rain starts. Mayor Shorr asked that staff continue to stay on to p of this. Mr. Mclendon d id a follow-up on Ms. Lakeman concern regarding the canal banks speaking a bo ut the contract that was entered into years back regarding this matter. Mr. Mcl endo n spoke about campaign s igns that was picked up and other signs being left that was not removed. Stating that signs can' t be removed by its content, and he would like for staff to pick up all signs not just campaign signs . He also stated about the wa iver of significant fines for a code enforcement case. He would like for Counc il to look into this matter. Councilmember Manig lia stated she would like clarification again on how and why that happened. She also stated that Counc il didn' t even vote o n it. Town Manage r Titcomb respo nded stating that Town's code prevents Council from voting on code matters. He also stated that it was an un­ prosecutable case and pa per money and there is a request o ut for the records o n the case w hich descri bes why the Town took the position it did on this case. He then continued to expla in code cases that are before the Special Magistrate. Councilmembe r Ma nig lia stated what she is confused about is tha t the case went th rough Specia l Magistrate, and Spec ia l Magistrate gave a final order. Town Manager Titcomb stated that it was his pos itio n as Council ' s Executi ve Offi cer to request vacating that partic ular case because there was a spec ific opportunity that was launc hed by potentia l sale of the property, because the  Town ofLoxahatchee Groves April 5, 2022 Town Council Community Open Discussion Meeting Minutes Page No.2 case pre-dates him and have gone through multiple attorneys. Councilmember Maniglia asked do we have a collect what the case cost the Town in attorney fees and staff. Town Manager Titcomb responded that we cut our losses. Mayor Shorr asked that our new Assistant Public Works Director introduce himself. Mr. Matos introduced himself and gave a little about his background and gave an update on what projects are accruing in Public Works. He also stated that he was excited to be here to help Mr. Peters and gave his contact information where he can be reached. Vice Mayor Danowski asked where he was from, and Mr. Matos responded. Councilmember Maniglia asked did he have canal experience and what is the lot size from his previous job. Mr. Matos responded, he feels that his Public Works experience will be help him in his position. There was continued conversation among Mr. Matos and Councilmember Maniglia. Councilmember Miles asked about the removal of rocks from a project that is being done. Mr. Matos responded to Councilmember Miles' concern. Ms. Lakeman asked about large signs that are advertising Nursey, she thought there were regulations regarding that. Councilmember Maniglia asked the Town Attorney. Town Attorney Lenihan responded that she has not looked into signs but will get with Code Enforcement. Town Manage Titcomb stated he was aware and was looking into the matter. Councilmember Maniglia spoke about the sign ordinance. Mr. McLendon responded stated that size and location can be regulated but not content. Town Attorney Lenihan stated that she would speak with the Palm Beach County. Mayor Shorr stated maybe an Interlocal Agreement (ILA) can be done for Okeechobee and Folsom. Mayor Shorr also asked about driveways off Okeechobee Blvd. Town Manager Titcomb responded. Ms. Hagen asked who signed off on Florida Power & Light doing work on private property. Mr. Peters responded that the permits in which was signed off on was within Town's easement. It is not pem1itted to work on private property with Town easement. Mr. Peters stated that residents can call him if they have any questions. He did not give permission for them to work on private property. There was discussion among Town Council and Mr. Peters. Ms. Hagen also stated that someone asked the FPL representee who gave permission, and they responded the Town. Mayor Shorr responded to Ms. Hagen that if there are questions to reach out to Mr. Peters and FPL representatives. ADJOURNMENT The workshop was adjourned at 6:46 p.m. TOWN OF LOXAHATCHEE GROVES, FLO~ -• ATTEST: ~ -le_r_k _ _ M 5 bert Sh~o ~ /~ ~ tW..4&-- ·~ t 1 a1X>l-u. Vi; Mayor Lau anowski ---"_/;f___:~ '2 - ?"✓,,,~ y?,> ?=- Council M mber Marge Town ofLoxahatchee Groves April 5, 2022 Town Council Community Open Discussion J\;feeting Minute PageNo. 3