Town Council Regular Meeting

Docusign Envelope ID: E1B35B3A-59B5-89EB-82E7-D79C81F17809 TOWN OF LOXAHATCHEE GROVES TOWN COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING TOWN HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS – 155 F. Road, Loxahatchee Groves, FL 33470 Tuesday, January 6, 2026 TOWN COUNCIL AGENDA ITEMS CALL TO ORDER Mayor Kane called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE AND MOMENT OF SILENCE Mayor Kane led the pledge of allegiance and moment of silence. ROLL CALL Mayor Anita Kane, Vice Mayor Margaret Herzog, Councilmember Paul Coleman, Councilmember Lisa El-Ramey, Councilmember Todd McLendon, Town Manager Francine Ramaglia, Town Attorney Jeff Kurtz, Community Standards Director Caryn Gardner – Young, Public Works Superintendent Craig Lower, and Town Clerk Valerie Oakes. ADDITIONS, DELETIONS, AND MODIFICATIONS Town Manager Ramaglia added a presentation by Ramsey Bulkeley. Councilmember El-Ramey asked that the administrative transmittal be moved to the discussion section. MOTION: COUNCILMEMBER MCLENDON/ COLEMAN MOVED TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS AMMENDED. MOTION PASSED (5-0). 1 Docusign Envelope ID: E1B35B3A-59B5-89EB-82E7-D79C81F17809 Town Council Budget Workshop Minutes January 6, 2026 PRESENTATIONS 1. Pre- Legislative Session Updates Rana Brown from Ronald L. Book, P.A presented Item No.1 along with Sam Peltier from Pittman Law Group. Ms. Brown gave updates regarding two projects funding requests that Ronald L. Book, P.A submitted on the Town’s behalf. The requests are being sponsored by the Town’s representatives. Other topics discussed within the legislative package were property taxes, the Renaissance Bill, and Senate Bill 180. The legislative package will be used by Ronald L. Book, P.A to direct themselves while representing the Town during Tallahassee meetings. Councilmember El-Ramey asked about the Town obtaining a rural designation. Ms. Brown responded that the Town is not eligible as it does not meet the requirements for a rural designation. MOTION: COUNCILMEMBER COLEMAN/ COUNCILMEMBER MCLENDON MOVED TO APPROVE THE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA AS WRITTEN. MOTION PASSED (5-0). 1A. Introduction of Ramsey Bulkeley Town Manager Ramaglia introduced Mr. Bulkeley with his prominent experience in building and planning. He was hired to help with more vigorous code enforcement tasks and bring properties into compliance. Item No.19 was discussed in tandem as Council expressed their concerns over Okeechobee Boulevard residences and the code enforcement problems on the road. CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember El-Ramey asked for Item No.2 to be pulled. MOTION: COUNCILMEMBER COLEMAN/ COUNCILMEMBER MCLENDON MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS AMENDED. MOTION PASSED (5-0). 2. Approval of the Minutes Councilmember El-Ramey requested that previous councilmembers that are listed in the minutes be notified of the minutes creation and that they confirm the accuracy. 2 Docusign Envelope ID: E1B35B3A-59B5-89EB-82E7-D79C81F17809 Town Council Budget Workshop Minutes January 6, 2026 MOTION: COUNCILMEMBER EL-RAMEY/ MCLENDON MOVED TO APPROVE ITEM NO.2 WITH THE CAVEAT THAT PREVIOUS COUNCILMEMBERS ARE CONTACTED REGARDING THE ACCURACY OF THE JUNE 18 AND AUGUST 20, 2024, MEETINGS. MOTION PASSED (5-0). 3. Consideration of Approval on Resolution No.2026-02: A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF LOXAHATCHEE GROVES NAMING THE ROAD WITHIN LOXAHATCHEE GROVES PARK “LOXAHATCHEE GROVES PARK DRIVE; PROVIDING FOR TRANSMITTAL; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. APPROVED ON CONSENT. 4. Consideration of Approval on Resolution No. 2026-03: A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF LOXAHATCHEE GROVES, FLORIDA, APPROVING FIRST AMENDMENT OF THE CONTINUING CONTRACT FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES BETWEEN TOWN OF LOXAHATCHEE GROVES, FLORIDA AND WHIDDEN SURVEYING AND MAPPING; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. APPROVED ON CONSENT. 5. Consideration of Approval on Resolution No. 2026-04: Hurr Homes Change Order No. 1 – Catch Basins & Culverts - A Rd & Collecting Canal Rd APPROVED ON CONSENT. OLD BUSINESS 6. Renaming Okeechobee Boulevard to Middle Road within the municipal boundaries of the Town of Loxahatchee Groves by Approving Resolution No. 2026-01. Town Council discussed possible notification methods for informing Town residents about the possible road change. Recent road name changes in other municipalities were introduced as they could be examples of how to properly go about the name change. Public Comment from Mary McNicholas and Marianne Miles. MOTION: COUNCILMEMBER MCLENDON/ COUNCILMEMBER COLEMAN MOVED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION NO. 2026-01 WITH A 90 DAY WINDOW WHEN IT BECOMES EFFECTIVE AND A 30 DAY NOTIFICATION TO LANDOWNERS ON OKEECHOBEE BOULEVARD. MOTION PASSED (3-2) WITH MAYOR KANE AND COUNCILMEMBER EL-RAMEY DISSENTING. 3 Docusign Envelope ID: E1B35B3A-59B5-89EB-82E7-D79C81F17809 Town Council Budget Workshop Minutes January 6, 2026 7. Report on Items for the Planning and Zoning Board Item No.7, No.8, and No.20 was discussed together. Community Standards Director Caryn Gardner-Young presented items. Possible items for both boards were discussed. Possible items included Equestrian Estates, permitted uses in AR zoning, nuisance abatement, sign code, and definition revisions. The Council expressed their concern with certain town processes with code enforcement and planning that they would like committees to review. 8. Report on Items for the ULDC Item No.7 and No.8 were discussed in tandem. Public comment received from Virginia Standish. 9. Report on Joint Meeting of the Town Council and Finance Advisory Audit Committee on January 26, 2026 Town Manager Ramaglia stated that there was a quorum for the meeting. Possible meeting topics were discussed. 10. Report on Town Council’s Directive for a 5% Operating Budget Reduction Potential budget cuts were discussed between Town Council and staff such as reducing labor and reducing projects. Councilmember El-Ramey suggested bringing the proposed budget reduction to the Finance Advisory and Audit Committee. The first quarter financials will be discussed by the committee. 11. Report on Tentatively Scheduled Items for the January 6, 2026 Town Council Regular Meeting Updates regarding items on the upcoming agenda were discussed. REGULAR AGENDA There were no regular agenda items for this meeting. PUBLIC HEARING 12. Consideration of Approval on Ordinance No. 2025-21 on Second Reading: AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF LOXAHATCHEE GROVES, FLORIDA, RELATING TO PLAT REVIEW PROCESSES; AMENDING 4 Docusign Envelope ID: E1B35B3A-59B5-89EB-82E7-D79C81F17809 Town Council Budget Workshop Minutes January 6, 2026 PART V “DEVELOPMENT REVIEW PROCEDURES AND REQUIREMENTS” OF THE UNIFIED LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE OF THE TOWN OF LOXAHATCHEE GROVES, FLORIDA BY AMENDING ARTICLE 115 “PUBLIC HEARING NOTICES” SECTION 115 -010 “TABLE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE REQUIREMENTS” TO DELETE REFERENCE TO PLATS; AMENDING ARTICLE 120 “QUASI-JUDICIAL HEARINGS” SECTION 120-115 “QUASI- JUDICIAL MATTERS” TO DELETE REFERENCE TO PLATS; AMENDING ARTICLE 140 “SUBDIVISION OF LAND” DIVISION 1 “PLATTING” TO PROVIDE FOR ADMINSTRATIVE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF PLATS IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 177.071 FLORIDA STATUTES; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT, SEVERABILITY, CODIFICATION, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Town Clerk Oakes read Ordinance No.2025-21 into the record. It was noted that Council would like to be aware during all plat review processes and offer input on an optional basis. Staff agreed to the procedure. Public comment received from Virginia Standish. MOTION: COUNCILMEMBER EL-RAMEY / COUNCILMEMBER MCLENDON MOVED TO APPROVE ORDINANCE NO. 2025-21 ON SECOND READING. MOTION PASSED (5-0). DISCUSSION 13. Direction with respect to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Contract Town Attorney Kurtz presented a draft of the mutual release and termination agreement. Questions regarding the quality of law enforcement with a change in contract were addressed. Councilmember McLendon suggested removing two “Whereas” clauses from the agreement regarding the Town’s budgetary constraints and PBSO’s unwillingness to modify the terms. MOTION: COUNCILMEMBER MCLENDON/ VICE MAYOR HERZOG MOVED TO APPROVE THE MUTUAL RELEASE AND TERMINATION AGREEMENT WITH “WHEREAS” MODIFICATIONS/ DELETIONS. MOTION FAILED (2-3) WITH MAYOR KANE, COUNCILMEMBER EL-RAMEY, AND COUNCILMEMBER COLEMAN DISSENTING. Public comment received from Marianne Miles and Joe Leilonik. MOTION: COUNCILMEMBER COLEMAN/ COUNCILMEMBER EL- RAMEY MOVED TO TABLE ITEM NO.13 TO THE NEXT WORKSHOP MEETING. MOTION PASSED (5-0). 5 Docusign Envelope ID: E1B35B3A-59B5-89EB-82E7-D79C81F17809 Town Council Budget Workshop Minutes January 6, 2026 14. Discussion of Solid Waste and Recycling Collection Services Contract The Senior Vice President of Business Development at Coastal Waste & Recycling, John Casagrande, joined the discussion to answer any applicable questions to the matter. Public comment received from Mary McNicholas. 15. Discussion of Request from Sheltering Palms Foundation to Release Conservation Easement Town Attorney Kurtz and Community Standards Director Gardner-Young presented Item No.15. Public Comment received from Cassie Suchy. ADMINISTRATIVE TRANSMITTAL- RECEIVE AND FILE Items under the administrative transmittal were moved to the discussion section. 16. Update on Conservation Easements Item No.16 was discussed in tandem with Item No. 15. MOTION: COUNCILMEMBER COLEMAN/ COUNCILMEMBER MCLENDON MOVED TO EXTEND THE MEETING. MOTION PASSED (5-0). Public comment received from Cassie Suchy. 17. Report of District Works Improvements for the 2025-2026 Calendar Year Public Works Superintendent Lower answered questions regarding Item No.17. 18. Update on the RV Program Town Council requested Community Standards Director Caryn Gardner-Young to create a simpler, lower cost, and easy to comply RV program proposal. 19. Update on Town Actions regarding Okeechobee Blvd properties Item No.19 was discussed in tandem with Item No. 1A. 20. Consideration of SB 180 on Potential ULDC Updates Item No.20 was discussed with Item No.7 and Item No.8. 6 Docusign Envelope ID: E1B35B3A-59B5-89EB-82E7-D79C81F17809 Town Council Budget Workshop Minutes January 6, 2026 21. Commerce Planning Grant CPTA FY 2025–2026 Award – Project Status and Implementation Process Clarification was provided regarding the involvement of Treasure Coast Regional Planning in regard to the Southern Boulevard corridor study. It was stated that TCRP will be involved in the study but that the ultimate guiding forces are the Town Council. Town Manager Ramaglia also provided an update on livestock waste within the Town. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS There were no comments received from the public on non-agenda items during this meeting. TOWN STAFF COMMENTS Town Manager Francine L. Ramaglia provided the cash disbursement report to the Council. She has asked for an expanded report which provides more detail. In regard to contracts staff is actively working to remove inactive contracts from contracts list. In order to provide a clean and updated contract list to the Council. Town Attorney Jeffrey S. Kurtz, Esq. had no report. Town Clerk Valerie Oakes announced that the first e-newsletter for the Town would be going out within the Month and provided Council with a proposed timeline and list of topics. Community Standards Director Caryn Gardner Young thanked Council for attending the Holiday event. Public Works Superintendent Craig Lower discussed the recent invitation to bid where 16 contractors appeared. The paving project is moving forward where there will be a paving at 22 feet wide on A Road and 20 feet wide on Collecting Canal. Council will be provided with a schedule of values for the project from the different contractors. TOWN COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Todd McLendon discussed the upcoming trip to Tallahassee for Palm Beach County Day. Thanked staff for the work they have been doing and the great teamwork the staff has had. Councilmember Lisa El-Ramey confirmed that any updates given throughout the meeting will be uploaded on the website. A question regarding hourly employees at Town meetings was asked, Town Clerk Oakes clarified that Town Clerk Assistants are the ones that stay after. Councilmember Paul Coleman provided comments about the longevity of the Councils actions and the importance of establishing policy in order to think about the broader picture of the Town. 7 Docusign Envelope ID: E1B35B3A-59B5-89EB-82E7-D79C81F17809 Town Council Budget Workshop Minutes January 6, 2026 Vice Mayor Herzog commended staff with their work on the gratitude baskets. That she received good feedback from the Town and believes it should be a continued project. Discussion regarding inspections and evaluations of conservation easements was had. Mayor Anita Kane provided ideas and budget for the 20th anniversary of the Town. ADJOURNMENT Meeting was adjourned with a motion from Councilmember Coleman and second by Councilmember McLendon at 10:57 P.M. TOWN OF LOXAHATCHEE GROVES, FLORIDA ATTEST: Mayor Anita Kane, Seat 3 Town Clerk Vice Mayor Margaret Herzog, Seat 5 Councilmember Todd McLendon, Seat 1 Councilmember Lisa El-Ramey, Seat 2 Councilmember Paul Coleman II, Seat 4 8