Village Council Workshop

Village of Wellington 12300 Forest Hill Blvd Wellington, FL 33414 Action Summary - Final Monday, May 24, 2021 4:00 PM Village Hall Village Council Workshop Anne Gerwig, Mayor John T. McGovern, Vice Mayor Michael Drahos, Councilman Michael Napoleone, Councilman Tanya Siskind, Councilwoman Village Council Workshop Action Summary - Final May 24, 2021 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Gerwig called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. Council Members present: Anne Gerwig, Mayor; John T. McGovern, Vice Mayor; Michael Drahos, Councilman; Michael Napoleone, Councilman and Tanya Siskind, Councilwoman. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Gerwig led the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. WORKSHOP Mr. Barnes introduced the agenda for the May 24, 2021 Workshop Meeting. A. 21-4478 PRESENTATION BY WENDY SARTORY-LINK, PALM BEACH COUNTY SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS Mr. Barnes introduced the item and stated this is a Presentation by the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections. Wendy Sartory-Link, Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections, thanked Council for allowing her to speak and stated the office had a good, clean general election and municipal elections in March. She stated they are going to be redistricting once the information is received and will need to find new polling locations. Ms. Link said that Palm Beach County now has the same number of precincts as Miami-Dade County with fewer voters. She indicated that this is expensive and vote by mail is increasing. She said they will look to combine precincts in a way that makes sense. She referenced the upcoming special election to be held on November 2, 2021 and provided corresponding dates for elections and qualifying periods. Ms. Link stated some municipalities have inquired about participating in the January election. She stated she has been encouraging the municipal clerks to review the Charters regarding the qualifying period. Most qualifying periods were set prior to the laws changing regarding the law/deadline to send out vote by mail ballots. She indicated that the qualifying period for the March 8, 2022 municipal elections need to end no later than December 3, 2021. Ms. Cohen stated Wellington has the ability to change the qualifying dates by ordinance. She explained the timeframe of Wellington's qualifying period. Village of Wellington Page 1 Village Council Workshop Action Summary - Final May 24, 2021 Council asked questions regarding the qualifying period. Ms. Link stated there are benefits to having elections with other municipalities versus standalone elections because some of the costs are shared. She stated the biggest expense for municipalities this past March was due to the high cost of vote by mail ballots. In addition, there is a cost for the return of vote by mail ballots which was not done previously. She discussed run-off elections, certain charter language regarding polling locations, canvassing boards, notices, post election audit and certifications. She discussed personal liability that the legislature has passed to supervisors of elections. Council inquired about the canvassing board and the members of a single canvassing board. Ms. Link discussed SB 90 and stated it has been challenging. She highlighted the impacts of the bill regarding the term for vote by mail requests. She said the law became effective upon the Governor signing it. The state is creating new forms, etc. Ms. Link referenced voter registration and outreach. She continued to discuss drop boxes for vote by mail ballots. She stated they won first place in the country for Vote By Mail innovation for the Van Project. She said that they will no longer offer that because it is now not permitted by statute. Council asked questions about the drop off for vote by mail. Ms. Link explained the number of ballots that can be dropped off by one person, etc. and stated they are waiting on the state to do rulemaking for various aspects of the bill. Council inquired about early voting and the time for standing in line. Ms. Link discussed some of the early voting sites. Ms. Cohen referenced the language about how vacancies are filled in regards to a county or municipal charter. She also inquired about changing the election date. Ms. Link stated they would not require municipalities to change their election date to November or January. Ms. Link mentioned they won an award for cybersecurity. Council inquired about savings if a municipality joins a general election ballot. In addition, they commended Ms. Link for her work during the election. Village of Wellington Page 2 Village Council Workshop Action Summary - Final May 24, 2021 B. 21-4479 PRESENTATION BY PALM BEACH COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE Mr. Barnes introduced the item and stated this is a Presentation by Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office (PBSO). Palm Beach Sheriff's Office Captain Rolando Silva provided an overview regarding Operation Bent Metal. He recognized and commended the team members who were instrumental with Operation Bent Metal. He stated every year during equestrian season, PBSO develops a plan to tackle traffic, underage drinking or something relevant at that time. He conducted a PowerPoint presentation highlighting information from the Institute for Insurance Study, Public Education about Operation Bent Metal, chart showing the number of Wellington crashes for 2019, 2020 and 2021 to date and intersections that were targeted. Council inquired about traffic and the information on the chart. Sergeant Matt DeJoy discussed the analytics and explained the process that happens when a deputy or dispatcher receives a call regarding an accident. Captain Silva stated they gave Operation Bent Metal their best effort. Council gave comments regarding speeding in neighborhoods. Captain Silva commented that traffic safety is everyone's responsibility. Council thanked PBSO for the presentation and for their work year round. C. 21-4480 PRESENTATION BY STAFF REGARDING GOLF CARTS Mr. Barnes introduced the item and stated this is a Presentation by staff for Golf Carts. Mr. Michael O'Dell introduced PBSO Deputy Harper and Rachel Bausch, Assistant Village Attorney. He conducted a brief presentation regarding golf cart operations within the Village. He discussed the timeline and referenced the Golf Cart Study. He showed Council a map indicating areas where the golf cart ordinance would apply and where it does not. He discussed the roadways where the golf carts would be able to be operated in regards to the statute. Mr. O'Dell highlighted pathways, 8 feet or wider, throughout the Village where golf cart usage may be allowed. He stated he would discuss the use of golf carts in residential communities and referenced the state statutes in how the Village could look at the pathways, enforcement and other methodologies for how it might want to govern golf carts. Mr. O'Dell stated there is a differential Village of Wellington Page 3 Village Council Workshop Action Summary - Final May 24, 2021 between golf cart usage in the roadways and residential streets and pathways to exit out of residential streets into other areas. He continued his presentation in regard to multi-modal pathways in terms of speed limit, safety equipment and signage. Mr. O'Dell said Forest Hill Boulevard and Pierson Road as they exist will not allow for golf cart usage because of right-of-way limitations and the amount and characteristic of the traffic using these roads. Council inquired about neighborhoods are within that zone. Mr. O'Dell provided a summary of public comments regarding golf cart usage. He discussed staff recommendations regarding public education, age restrictions and dawn to dusk operation. Council inquired about usage of golf carts at an equestrian venue and night time operation. Mr. O'Dell further discussed staff recommendations regarding registration, enforcement, golf cart seating and pathways. He reviewed a map showing improvements that have been made. Mayor Gerwig asked if the Village is having difficulty with people driving cars on the expanded pathways. Deputy Harper stated he has no data to support that. Mr. Barnes stated staff has not heard any issues related to that but would be addressed by PBSO if needed. Mayor Gerwig asked that residents be made aware of when this item is placed on an agenda. Mr. Barnes stated that would be done. He stated the goal today is to achieve consensus from Council that would allow staff to bring this to Council for a final action. Councilman Drahos inquired about recommendations from other committees. Mr. O'Dell stated the general consensus was that now is the time to take some kind of action. Vice Mayor McGovern referenced the Florida Statute and stated it is illegal. Village of Wellington Page 4 Village Council Workshop Action Summary - Final May 24, 2021 Councilman Drahos discussed the registration for golf cart usage. He stated he is not in favor of 14 year olds driving golf carts although allowed by statute. Mayor Gerwig stated the Village can make a rule for its pathways. Councilman Napoleone stated a learner's permit should be required for a golf cart leaving a neighborhood to get on a pathway. Mr. O'Dell stated the Village cannot require registration for residential streets but can require registration for pathways. There was further discussion between Council and staff regarding pathways, roadways and signage. Mr. Barnes reiterated that staff is seeking Council direction. He commented regarding complaints about irresponsible use by unsupervised youth. He stated this is the first step in solutions to review. Vice Mayor McGovern asked about the 15 mph speed limit and how it would be posted. Mr. O'Dell and Mr. Barnes briefly discussed signage. Mr. O'Dell stated staff has drafted an ordinance that includes some of staff's recommendations and asked if the registration requirement is Council consensus. Councilwoman Siskind inquired about registration. Ms. Bausch stated the legislature has spelled out specifically what can and cannot be done on roadways. Council commented regarding registration and expressed any additional concerns. Staff concluded the presentation and stated this will be further discussed tomorrow night. 4. ATTORNEY'S COMMENTS Village of Wellington Page 5 Village Council Workshop Action Summary - Final May 24, 2021 None. 5. MANAGER COMMENTS None. 6. COUNCIL COMMENTS None. 7. ADJOURN There being no further business to discuss with Council, the meeting adjourned at 5:55 pm. Village of Wellington Page 6