City Commission - Regular Meeting

Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to the Delray Beach regular commission meeting this Tuesday, May 5. If the clerk, call the roll.

Deputy vice mayor Markert? Here. Commissioner Malika? Here. Commissioner Cassell? Here. Vice mayor Burns? Here. Mayor Carney? Here. We have quorum.

Thank you very much. If you could all rise, please, to the pledge of allegiance. Thank you all very much. Agenda approval. I've got a couple of changes here that I need to do.

We are going to be adding as agenda item four g, the proclamation that was listed in the consent agenda, a six k four, which is for the National Preservation Week, because we have someone that would like to speak on it and we're gonna give the proclamation to. That would be mister John Miller. So we're adding we're adding four g. And I would also like to pull for discussion with the commission's consent item six g, six h, six I, and six j. Although, I understand that the city manager would like to remove six I together with six m three. Correct. Correct? Those are the two items you want?

Those are to be removed. Those are being removed. Okay.

I was gonna pull 6E.

Which one?

6E6E, and there's overlap. 6F6G66E.

66E. Which one is 6E?

6I.

I'm sorry?

E?

Yes. I have 6E.

Yeah. F.

6EF. Oh, no. Excuse me. Those those were that's that's those one I meant. I've missed missed missed missing. I have 6 Same ones. 6FGH and HI. And I and J. Yes. Those are those those are all. They're like yes. They're those are the ones

I have.

Although I is now being removed is removed from the agenda completely completely as is 6 m three.

So for the record Yes. 6 c will be 7 a

a. Okay.

6 b 6 f will be 7B b. Yep. 6 g will be 76C7CC. 6 H will be 7 D D. And then six I is removed.

Yes. I is being removed, so six j becomes DD. Right?

Okay. You want to do 66?

Well, yep. No. We're doing yeah. I wanted j, what

That's fine.

And also six m three. No. No. I I was not pulling 6 j.

I wasn't pulling

6 I wasn't I wasn't pulling 6 j. I got my numbers mixed up. So six j is is is not it's I'm leaving in

as a consent item. And also, mister mayor, to remove six m three, I believe you stated

that Six m three and six I are being removed from the agenda.

Hang on, please. Wait. Go hang on one sec. I gotta get to m three, please, just to see

what that is. Yeah. They're they're they're put on by the city manager and they're being removed.

M3 and which one?

6I, which was one of the ones which we gonna pull, but it's not being removed for further discussion.

So we're pulling.

Okay. That. So we have six e, right, which is now gonna be 6 7AA. Yes. 6F, which is 7BB. 6G, which is 7CC6H. H, which is 7DD, 6I is gone, 6J is staying where it was, 6K4 is now 4G, 4F, whatever it was I said.

Thought you said 6 k 3.

And then so anyway so we got we got them all. Now if anybody can can remember all those, I need a motion to approve the agenda as amended.

So moved.

Second. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? That is we are unanimous. We now are into presentations. And this first presentation is a delight commissioner Casal will be making the presentation. It's the recognition of Saint Paul Missionary Baptist Church.

Thank you. I was

I see reverend Barre. I saw reverend Barre somewhere.

Somewhere to ask for this recognition. And so I'm excited to read it. And thank you all for coming. This is recognition for Saint Paul Missionary Baptist Church. The city of Delray Beach proudly recognizes Saint Paul Missionary Baptist Church led by Reverend Doctor Howard B.

Barr junior and executive pastor Joseph Dawkins for its strong spiritual leadership and consistent dedication to improving the lives of residents throughout the Delray Beach community. The church has demonstrated a deep sense of responsibility to both its congregation congregation and to the broader community reflecting a call to serve, uplift, and guide individuals of all ages. Saint Paul Missionary Baptist Church has demonstrated a strong dedication to public service through initiatives that address critical community needs. During the COVID nineteen pandemic, the church played an important role in safeguarding public health and by hosting vaccine efforts for residents. In addition, it continues to support families by providing food assistance, offering free grocery distributions, and ensuring access to essential resources for those in need.

The church has further expanded its outreach by offering chronic disease and diabetes self management training courses, promoting healthier lifestyles and increasing awareness within the community. Its commitment to education and engagement is also reflected through the programs such as the Women's Day program, community health fairs, and monthly black history lessons. All of which contribute to cultural enrichment and community connection. With a forward looking approach, the church has enhanced its facilities to better serve the community, including the creation of spaces dedicated to senior services, student tutoring, and mentoring programs. These efforts provide meaningful opportunities for growth, learning, and support across all generations.

Through its continued service and community folks focused initiative, Saint Paul's Missionary Baptist Church remains a vital and positive presence in the city of Delray Beach extending its impact far beyond its doors. The city of Delray Beach expresses its sincere appreciation to Saint Paul Missionary Baptist Church for its meaningful contributions and lasting impact to our community. May this certificate of recognition serve as a lasting acknowledgment of the church's meaningful contributions and the positive influence it continues to have throughout the city of Delray Beach. Presented on this May 2026 by Thomas Carney, mayor.

Thank you very much. Would

you step

up to accept the award?

Would you yeah. Would you please

And a photo opportunity, and maybe if pastor Barr would like to say a word, that would be lovely.

That would be great. Thank you. And and if all of you are not happy with me, I just wanna point out that at my request, reverend Barr is the one who swore me in to my office. I asked him to come in and swear me in on his bible.

Very, very, very briefly. This was not done by me alone. I would like for the Saint Paul Missionary Baptist Church family to stand so you can actually see the hands, the laborers, and the workers of this ministry. These are We have some that are raising their hand and able to stand, but these are the ones. My last statement, mayor, and to the city is there are two ladies that are sitting four rows back on the end.

The first lady I wanna introduce you is the lady that has the longest membership tenure at Saint Paul, which means all the work that Saint Paul has done in ninety some years, This lady has been a part of every effort for over ninety years right here. Mother Constable. She has done everything the church except for pastor. The last person all of these are important, but the last person is the lady with the that's our general church mother, mother Wiggum. She's the one that keeps us all straight. Mother Wiggum.

Thank you both.

And then finally, the front row is the future of Saint Paul and Derry Beach. All those young people with us

sitting right there in the front.

Thank you so very much. Thank

you very much, reverend Barr, and you thank very much to the Saint Paul Missionary Baptist Church. Four b. I'm sorry. What?

Before we move on, can I have a point of privilege here?

Yes. You may.

Okay. So I know we don't have it on our agenda, but I wanted to recognize mister Alexander Edmunds junior, who is in the audience. 94 years old. This is

96. Oh,

my. 96.

Gonna look a day over 94 right now. Well done. Yes.

Mister Edmunds had a business here in Delray for decades, and the building that CRA now owns on Northwest 5th Avenue was named in his honor. The Edmunds Fain's building was named in mister Edmunds honor.

So I just wanted to Congratulations. Thank you. Thank you for the rec thank you for recognizing. Yes. Alright. We are now moving on to item four b, the introduction of the new procurement officer Paul Narcisse.

Mister Moore. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. Good evening. So as I've shared recently, the office of the city manager has made a selection for a new chief procurement officer to represent the city of Derry Beach. A little bit about mister Paul Narcisse he's actually brings to the city of Delray Beach a little over twenty years of public and private sector procurement and purchasing leadership and guidance experience he actually has had a presence in Connecticut, Texas and Louisiana, a number of private companies, public companies.

I've highlighted his professional background via my April 17 report to the city commission. He has his degree in finance from Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, Connecticut, as well as other training and background in Six Sigma, as well as lean manufacturing. So a breadth of experience to assist us in our efforts to achieve efficiencies in operations as well as doing as much as we possibly can to assure that rep recommendations regarding purchase and procurement coming before the commission as well as the office of the city manager are sound and are intact. So he's actually been hitting the ground running over the past couple weeks he's been on board. This is actually your second week on board.

It feels like a little bit longer given how busy you've been. But ladies and gentlemen, I'd to give mister Paul Narcisse an opportunity to offer a couple words to you as you get to know him and he'll be a presence here in our organization as a result mister Paul Narcisse ladies and gentlemen

thank you city manager I'm sorry for I'm fighting some allergies as well. So but, again, I wanna thank the commissioners, mayor, and everyone on board, the entire city. Thank you so much. I look forward to this opportunity. What I can promise you is three things, and you can hold me accountable for that. First and foremost is strengthening our processes. I've been listening, watching, and learning the way that you do things. And so I have to understand the problem statement before I can bring any corrective actions

in place. Number

two is building partnership, internal customers departments, external customers. That's very important, a strategic partnership. It's always being customer centric and playing the part. And number three as well is bringing the best value proposition to our city of, Delray Beach.

Well, thank you.

Thank you.

Welcome. Thank you very much, and welcome to the city. Thank you, ma'am.

Should we give a moment for the elderly people from Saint Paul's who might wanna depart? Because I think some of them came just for the recognition and may wanna leave.

Yes. I mean Take

a break for a moment if they wanna We're gonna we're

gonna we're gonna take a two oh, we're gonna take the you you you sure they wanna leave? We're taking a one minute a two minute high a break here to just allow the people that wanna leave to leave. God why did you wanna miss this wonderful meeting? I have no idea. Thank you very much.

Calling the meeting back to order. We now have item four c, beach update presented by missy Barnetta. Miss Barnetta.

So good evening, mayor and commissioners. I'm here with some very happy news, and that is that the city of Delray Beach has been recognized as a blue flag beach for the fourth year running.

Exactly.

Wave the flag. So I'd like to invite everybody here in the audience audience and all of all of you to attend the the now annual flag raising. I think after it's happened three times in a row, you get to call it annual.

Sure. It's it usually ends up one of our proclamation lists anyway. So

Yeah. I think it'll be a rule. So that's going to happen on Thursday morning, May seventh at 10:00 in the morning at the Main Pavilion. And each of you have your uniform at your at your place this evening. So one of the things that is a big part of the blue blue flag program is environmental education.

So tonight, I'm I'm gonna keep this very short, just make our happy announcement. And I am going to show an educational video that the city has done in cooperation with the Reef Institute and the Department of Public Works and the Office of Sustainability work together to put this video together.

Raffi, if you will.

Florida is home to the only extensive coral reef tract in the Continental United States. Stretching all the way from the Dry Tortugas in the Florida Keys, along Florida's Southeast Coast past Delray Beach and extending north toward the Saint Lucie Inlet, supporting an entire underwater ecosystem. And coral is the foundation of that ecosystem. When coral disappears, the life it supports begins to disappear with it. Now coral is not a rock or a plant.

It is a living animal made up of tiny individuals called polyps. These polyps have tentacles that they use for protection and to capture food the water, along with a central mouth where they feed and can digest their food. Hundreds to thousands of polyps living together form coral colonies, and over time, those colonies build the structures that create coral reefs. Although coral reefs cover less than 1% of the ocean floor, they support approximately 25% of all marine species. Healthy coral reefs can also reduce wave energy by up to 97%, helping protect shorelines from flooding while supporting fishing, recreation, and coastal communities.

Today, Florida's coral reef is declining due to threats such as disease, warming ocean temperatures, and human impact. In some parts of Florida, studies have found that live coral cover has declined by nearly 90% since the nineteen seventies. That's where the Reef Institute comes in, focusing on hands on coral conservation through education, research, and restoration. We are one of numerous organizations across the state doing similar work to help protect our reef. Located in West Palm Beach, we work through what we call our rescue to reef model, where corals are rescued and cared for on land and aquariums.

Our facility functions as what we call a living coral biobank, where rescued corals are carefully maintained to preserve their genetic diversity for the future. Now corals can reproduce, and we can grow and strengthen their offspring on land before returning them to the ocean in a process called out planting, completing the rescue to reef cycle and helping rebuild what has been lost. Reefs are so important, and protecting them takes all of us. Here in Delray Beach, simple everyday choices can make a real difference. Choosing Reef Safer sunscreen can help reduce harmful chemicals from entering the water.

Properly disposing of trash and reducing plastic waste helps keep our waterways and reef clean. Respecting marine life when you're on the water, whether boating, diving, fishing, snorkeling, or even just enjoying a day at the beach, helps protect the reef just offshore. And supporting local conservation organizations, like the Reef Institute, help support coral reef restoration and education efforts right here in South Florida. Because what we do on land directly impacts what lives beneath the surface. Together, we save the ocean.

So this video is on continuous loop and all of our informational TVs both here in the lobby at City Hall and in each of the pavilions that are located on the on the beach promenade. And with that, if you have any questions?

I have questions, if I may.

Certainly. Yes.

I've this is exciting for me. You know? I fought tirelessly last year get money into the budget to help advance this initiative, and we didn't give very much. And and I I would like us to as we're talking about the budget, I think this is very important. It's our beach is our economic driver, and our environment is important to all of us and I think we should be putting money forth towards, helping to restore our reefs in Delray Beach.

And, thank you, Missy. I also think that we had some funding in the sustainability department, but you and I talked about how there's potentially money, for beach restoration that could be used. If you could look into that and get some exact numbers that would be great. And also to the city attorney here's a question for you. Mr.

Chart is here and we sit in a group that works on this but we talked about at one point maybe having a nonprofit to accept donations. Can the city participate, facilitate, develop a fund where people can donate that that money can get filtered that way or is that something that has to be done privately outside of the city?

We we can accept donations. We have a donation policy, and those, dollars would be earmarked and, you know, put in a separate restricted account.

Okay. So the city could

do that. I mean, we can't actively fundraise. No. No. No. But if the city received a donation for a specific purpose, we could utilize that money. It would just have to be restricted.

So we need to start a coral refund. That's exciting.

Be a restricted fund.

Yeah, of course it would be restricted. Yeah, I love it. Thank you for that answer, Missy. This is very exciting. Thank you. I look forward to this discussion in our budget.

We will be bringing some budgetary items forward during the capital improvement program budget that happens later in the summer. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Missy. Four d, the Western Golf Association Community Caddy Program. This is actually Commissioner Burns brought this up last week. And so if you would like to make the intros.

Yes. Well, we have representatives from the CADD program here to share this presentation with us. And so I welcome you up. You're on.

Good evening, everyone.

Good evening. I am

so proud to stand here as a resident, a native of Delray Beach, Florida, and born, raised, and reared, as my grandmother would say. But we are here to, introduce an a scholarship initiative that, can enhance our community and also our young people, our our high school students, with scholarships. And I know a lot of people say, okay. What is the catch? Well, we're going to show you that there is no catch.

We are here to help our young people to, work at the new and upcoming golf club, golf course, and also to, possibly get full scholarships, four years, scholarship and housing at no cost. So we have here representing, the the, the board. We have mister John Mason, who is now a resident of Delray from New York, And we also have one of our very own recipients. Brandy is here with us who has gone through the entire, scholarship process. And we have the vice president, mister Brian that's going to do the presentation.

Thank you so much for this opportunity.

Thank you.

Thank you, Patrice, and thank you commission for having us here today. As Patrice mentioned, my name is Brian Bianchi. I work on staff with the Western Golf Associated and Evans Scholars Foundation. We are a golf organization located out of Chicago, Illinois. We host both both amateur and professional events. Our crown jewel being the BMW championship, the second leg of the FedEx Cup on the on the PGA Tour. That's an event we actually bounce around the country. It it is typically housed in the Midwest, but we've gone to Colorado. We've gone to the East Coast, Baltimore, Philadelphia and we'll be in New Jersey next year. This year we'll be in St.

Louis, Missouri. Proceeds from those events as well as donations, private donations from about 50,000 different donors fund the Evidence Scholars Foundation. And as Patrice mentioned, it was first founded in 1930. It is a full tuition and housing scholarship to college for students that have worked as golf caddies. Our first two students went to Northwestern in 1930, and we were started by famed amateur golfer Charles Chick Evans, hence the name the Evans Scholars Foundation.

He was the first golfer, one of only two golfers to win both the US Open and US Amateur in the same year. Given his popularity at the time, it was really important him to keep his amateur status in golf. So he got with his mother and decided to start a foundation for scholarships for students that had worked as golf caddies. He got his start in golf as a golf caddy as It was really important to him. Education was important to his family.

He attended Northwestern for about two semesters and had to drop out because they couldn't afford it. So her his mother really convinced him to start the Evans Scholars Foundation, again, our first two students to Northwestern in 1930. Fast forward to today, we have 1,260 students attending 28 different partner universities throughout the country on full tuition and housing scholarships. 12,500 all time alumni, so a lot of great history there. And this past year, we awarded 360 new Evans scholars.

We have what we call our 2,030 ambitions. 2030 is our centennial year. We want to be at 1,500 scholars in school. So a big part of that push is looking for communities where we can start new opportunities for young men and women to work as golf caddies with the idea that they can build a good caddy resume that could qualify them for our scholarship. As Patrice mentioned, we see opportunity here in Delray Beach, not only a community that has students that could utilize and take advantage of an opportunity to make some great money and meet great folks at your golf course here at Delray Beach Golf Club, and obviously and hopefully work towards qualification for a scholarship.

So I saw some great young men and women at Saint Paul's Church here that could take advantage. So we again, we'd love to find students right here from the community to really make an impact. As I mentioned, we're at 28 partner universities across the country. Sorry, I'm a little behind on my they're up on the screen there. We don't have a Southeast school yet, but really looking for Florida to become one of those growth markets that we talk about when grow we to 1,500 scholars.

Again, we're we're at some of the best clubs in in the country, 12 of the top 20 courses as Golf Digest rates have Evan Scholars including just up the road at Seminole Golf Club. They have a pretty nice track record of developing young men and women into a successful Evan Scholars. A lot of benefits to being a youth caddy. Obviously, really flexible hours and flexible work schedule. So it allows them to stay engaged in the different extracurricular activities they're engaged in, you know, family, church, those types of things.

You learn from positive role models. People that play golf typically are influential folks from the community. You get to spend four intimate hours with them out on the golf course. And the golfers really take on a mentoring role for these young men and women. And a lot of times, a 14, 15 year old, you haven't talked to anyone other than your parents or your teachers. So to get out and get to learn how to deal with different personalities out on the golf course really makes a big impact for them in their career development no matter what they choose to do later on in life. So learning how to service and deal with different personalities obviously serves you no matter what you choose to do. So really great learning working experience for them. We're working outside. Right?

So it's great to be outside with folks while they're active and at their leisure having a good time. And again you're building those like lifelong lasting skills that could help you later on in life. And then ultimately our goal would be to develop them into strong competitive applicants for our scholarship. Right now we operate, now it says eight, but we operate 10 of these community programs across the country and truly are from coast to coast. We have just acquired one in San Diego at Goat Hill Park.

We're in Arizona at Papago. There's a couple in Chicago at Jackson Park and Canal Shores. And then on the East Coast, have actually a bigger presence, two in Washington, D. C. At Langston And East Potomac Golf Course, University Of Maryland Golf Course, and then Charleston Municipal Golf Course at Oliver in in Delaware. And then we just opened one actually today. We're doing training at Weath Wake Park in Newark, New Jersey. So we really do think that this community, this is something great for this community that could you you all could take advantage of and could really, really have a long term impact on young men and women in this community. Again, great work opportunity. They're gonna make some great money.

They're gonna meet some great folks and also hopefully qualify long term for for the Evans scholarship. And and again, we believe wholeheartedly at our core in in caddying and what it does for young men and women. As I mentioned, 12,500 alumni, they would attest to that. Brandy happens to be an alumni herself, attended Mizzou on a full tuition and housing scholarship, now works for us. We're blessed to have her.

And that's really what we're looking for is, for you all to consider partnering with us and allowing us to operate at Delray Beach Golf Club. These are a really nice complement. These type of types of programs are a nice complement coming off a restoration like you all are doing. Save some cart traffic and really, you know, your local community golfers an outstanding golf experience walking with a caddy, getting to mentor these young men and women in the community. So with that, I think I can certainly answer questions about how it would run and operate if you have any, but would welcome any questions you might have.

Any members of the commission? Any questions?

Could I ask to the city, we have a new contract signed. Is this something we can do and what are the costs associated with this program to the city? I mean, we because I I don't know if there are limitations with respect to the new contract that we just signed if we can do this. And if so,

a quick

piece I think that one thing is caddies are independent contractors.

Okay.

So what they do is they work for the golfer and they show up and they contract with the golfer for those four hours. And what I will say is the outstanding thing here is we are not looking for any money from the city of Delray.

Thank

you. In fact, the Evans Scholars is gonna pay each kid that goes in caddies $50 as a stipend to caddy for that individual. So if I show up and play, the Evans Scholars is gonna pay them $50 to carry my bag and walk with me for four hours. Then I have the opportunity to dig into my own pocket and give them some money on top of that as a tip. So their incentive is to work hard for me, help me have a good time, learn, be out on the course, and get a good tip. And that is how they learn how the world works. And that's the great thing about being a caddy.

Yeah. And to his point, we we would fully fund the program. We actually have a local donor that's agreed to fund this program for the first start up few years. So that's base the base caddy rate that mister Mason mentioned. Program manager, that's an hourly employee of ours that that oversees on property while the while the students are out there working. And then expenses will buy, you know, food for the kids every day, a meal while they're out there on the golf course, water, uniforms, supplies, towels, you know, range finders, those type of things. So this is, again, something that we believe that in our core. We fully fund these programs.

Thank you. I'm totally supportive. And I hope a lot of people walk because I think that if they're driving the carts, the caddies will, you know, it will be a different situation where they need multiple carts. But I'm definitely, I appreciate you coming in here and giving this presentation, and I think this is exciting for our youth.

Yeah. I I don't think the management company you you interfere with the the operation. The management company talk about that. You wanna see you have something you wanna say?

If I may, in relationship to the management company.

Go ahead.

Thank you. So I recently had an opportunity to engage with one of the cofounders as well as the upcoming superintendent for Derry Beach Municipal Golf Course, Bobby Jones Links. The city commission actually approved that contract a couple months ago. It became effective in March. So in my discussions with the leadership of Bobby Jones Links, we had an opportunity to express interest, engagement, and connection with the youth doing whatever we possible can to connect with the community in that regard.

So given the clarity and already knew this, I was planning to respond in terms of the no cost environment directly to the city of Derry Beach. It's simply a matter of coordinating with the superintendent representing Bobby Jones links to facilitate opportunities to this effect. With appropriate consensus from City Commission, we will be more than happy to facilitate an introduction such that you all can strike that balance and make your presence known. Okay.

Do you have consent

to I would give consent

to yeah. Commissioner Burns? Yes. I was just gonna say similar to mister Moore because I talked to mister Durden and understood that there was no cause. It's a win win, so I am in full support of it.

We all are yes? A 100%. Yep.

Great idea.

Absolutely. Thank you. I did have

a question.

You just train the children how to

Yeah.

A big part of it is we'll recruit students from the community. No golf experience necessary. We come out and we give them very thorough training. They don't need to be golfers to take advantage of this at all. They're not required to golf during or after, but at the same time, this is an entry way to golf. They'll but before too long, they say they'll me try this.

It can't

be that hard.

So Guess

what is that hard?

In the remote chance that

they get close

to the pin, will they use their foot to help the ball? Yeah.

Only if you're playing.

The tip. Only for the right side.

Yeah. Depends on the tip. Yeah. Right. Big tipper.

And and not to put the young lady on the spot, but did you wanna share anything about your experience since you are alumni?

Yeah. I mean, I could only speak to the experience of being a caddy. As a 14 year old, I started when was 13, actually. You don't have another opportunity like this. You know, it's an amazing summer job. You make a lot of money as a kid, and you get cash on the spot and really get to connect with a lot of successful individuals and get to, you know, share personal connections and stories. And, I mean, I continue to build that relationship with the Western Golf Association. That's how I ended up in working for them now.

Oh, cool.

And then you move on to the scholarship piece and, you know, you live in community. It's like getting into an immediate family when you go to college, which is an experience unlike any other. So, yeah, it's an amazing opportunity for sure.

Great. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you.

Good seeing you, John. So we'll be in touch, and I'll make the introduction soon. Okay.

Four e, clarity education regarding strategic outcomes, leadership, guidance, and evolving office of city manager. City manager has asked to that he be able to give his presentation without interruption or questions, I think. So I have said yes as chair. So mister Moore.

Thank you, mister mayor. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, not just to the commission, but this is in large part to benefit the community as well because much clarification is appropriate, and I do what I can to be a responsive and attentive individual on a frequent and consistent basis. And I will open up by sharing with everybody openly one of my weaknesses as a leader. One of my weaknesses as a leader is a potential weakness. It can be a positive.

It can be a negative, but I'm constantly an optimistic forward thinking fellow. I try to my best to learn from errors. I learn from mistakes and do what I can to incorporate that into the nexus of leadership and guidance as well as management objectives that are being implemented by the organization. Has been my experience not only in the city of Delray Beach coming up on five years, god willing, as well as my previous four city manager assignments going back to 1999. It's a tried and true approach, and quite frankly, metrics.

I do my best to be as a responsive and attentive fellow as much as I possibly can. However, I am not a mind reader. If I know of a concern, if I'm aware of an issue or challenge that might exist, I do what I can to assemble the team to offer responsiveness and attentiveness in this regard. Given some of the observations haven't been shared during the last city commission meeting two weeks ago, 04/21/2026, I made a commitment to do what I can to offer a fairly robust response and points of clarification so that everybody can be satisfied and concerns can be alleviated across the board. In the context of offering this presentation, I'll also talk a little bit about some of the positive highlights as a result of being a high performance organization because ladies and gentlemen that is what Delray Beach Florida has become.

The city of Delray Beach Florida as a municipal corporation and the community is on a high performance trajectory and will continue to do so for the years to come, God willing. Thus the title of the presentation, clarity education regarding strategic outcomes leadership and guidance. So the observations that were shared during the April 21 meeting, I like to address those followed by an aggregate focus in terms of why we are where we are. I'd like to begin by talking about Highland Beach because this has become a particular concern for a little while now. So after nearly thirty years of the Delray Beach Fire Rescue Department providing associated emergency services to the town of Highland Beach, the Highland Beach Town Commission voted in early twenty twenty one to conclude its relationship with the city of Delray Beach for the service.

In March 2023, performer requests of the town of Highland Beach, the office of the state of Florida auditor general authorized an audit of expenses charged and transactions related to services provided to that community by the Beach Fire Rescue Department. This exercise took approximately six months from circa April 2023 to October 2023, examining related expenses from 10/01/2026 to 09/30/2022. And that was interesting because the initial assertion was that by the town of Highland Beach was that the city of Delray Beach overcharged them. That was the basis of their request. Request.

However, the results of the exercise as initiated by the auditor general indicated that the city of Delray Beach was owed at least $2,100,000 for services rendered. Direction was then offered to hire accounting and advisory services firm Citron Cooperman to provide updated and objective calculations to help determine an even more accurate analysis as to total charges for services. This exercise concluded last year resulted in a calculation of at least $3,800,000 due to city of Delray Beach based on their review. While efforts have since been initiated to engage with the town of Highland Beach concerning payment, outcomes to this effect have yet to be realized. The city of Delray Beach is now therefore at liberty to consider available options to ultimately resolve this matter.

That would essentially involve the city commission. This is not a simple case of the office of the city manager reaching out to their leadership. Hey. We have this balance. Please pay us.

Or the Department of Finance issuing a bill to their accounts receivable folks to facilitate a transaction where above and beyond that. Likewise, a shade meeting of the city commission will likely become necessary to help offer direction and guidance accordingly or some other arrangement to get to that place. But bottom line, the city commission will have to offer some appropriate direction, and that is essentially what comes down to as far as options availability. So we need to engage in that regard in order to get down to business concerning this matter. I'd like to talk a little bit about waste management.

It's important to talk a little bit about the history of waste management and how they came to the city of Delray Beach. Interestingly enough, when the current solid waste structure came about back in 2035, it was not via the auspices of Waste Management Inc. So March 2035, excuse me. So a little over eleven years ago, Dairy Beach executed an agreement with the company known as Southern Waste Systems LLC for the collection of solid waste and recycling materials. Terms of the agreement were between 03/20/2035 and September 2022 with the right to renew an additional one year period no later than 04/01/2022.

Unless waste management provided written notice, it was not willing to renew the agreement before 10/05/2021. So on December 2035, pardon me, a little over ten years ago, Southern Waste Systems LLC assigned its agreement to Waste Management Inc. Of Florida. So soon after Southern Waste Systems came on board via franchise agreement with the city of Delray Beach, it was acquired by Waste Management. 03/24/2022, the city did elect exercise a one year renewal to take effect between 10/01/2022 to 09/30/2023.

Waste Management contended the election to renew would have been 08/08/2021 in advance of 04/01/2022 and 07/01/2022. 06/23/2022, the associated dispute resolved the dispute resolution process, so we executed the process to get to the best place possible, resulting by 09/30/2022, a seven year extension period granted to commence on 10/01/2022 through 04/30/2023. The result of this option to extend an additional five months from May 23 to 05/01/2023 to 09/30/2023. Nevertheless, an RFP process was initiated and a new franchise agreement with waste management was executed 02/21/2023. And that's the current franchise agreement we enjoy continuing until 09/30/2030.

One year renewal term of three years availability, current rate resolution number 113Dash25 effective through 09/30/2026. So periodically during the course of administering the franchise agreement, the city of Delray Beach is in position to renew periodically. It's also most important to talk a little bit about the single family rate approximately $19.54 a month equating to $234.40 per year. I underscore this ladies and gentlemen because the city of Delray Beach actually did fairly well in terms of a rate position comparing ourselves to neighboring communities including Boynton Beach to the North, Boca Raton to the South, West Palm Beach, Port Saint Lucie, a few other municipalities. We've even included the town of Jupiter.

At the aforementioned rate, we are in a more competitive position in this regard, which was a tremendous accomplishment for which I think we all should be proud. So with that, we actually serve the taxpayers very well, and it's a continuous process opportunities across the board. Thus, the bar graph showing casing sanitation comparison by entity. As far as utilities related key operational improvements, as reported a little over two years ago, the office of the city manager did reorganize did approve a reorganization to make the utility billing division, the customer service division, also known as right here to my right, the South side of the building, people engage and interact with staff. Up until April 2024, it was actually a division of the Department of Finance.

I actually began working with leadership both finance and the Department of Utilities back in February 2024 to evaluate the organizational structure and some issues and challenges associated with operations. That resulted in the approval of the reorganization, as I just mentioned, effective April 2024. A few steps to get to that place involved the elimination of an assistant manager position because we did identify efficiencies and operations to get to that place. We eliminated credits for estimated water usage. We also initiated collection efforts on 3,200 delinquent accounts, some haven't existed for over ten years.

We were also able to replace 5,819 defective endpoints by Badger. Badger meter, the advanced metering infrastructure system that's been employed by the city of Delray Beach for approximately ten years or more now. So that was actually accomplished at no cost to the city of Delray Beach because we were able to execute warranty provisions to get that taken care of and squared away. As a result of a fully functional or more optimally functioning endpoints regarding the batter Badger meter system that contributed to our ability to reduce overtime expenses from one thousand two hundred twenty to six hundred eighty two hours a year, so reduce that by approximately half. This also resulted in the implementation of manual reading.

We did reduce dependency in that regard because with better functioning advanced metering infrastructure, we were not as reliant on manual reading as we had once upon a time been. Enhanced customer account data accuracy was achieved in this regard, and as a result of these aggregate contributions, the city was able to recover over $2,100,000 of lost revenue since the time of the reorganization, as well as the corrective efforts I've just summarized in the presentation. Oh.

Impact fees.

Okay. I need some assistance. There it is. Please leave it me, ladies and gentlemen. The next subject impact fees draft study was delivered back in December 2025 a city commission engagement to that effect commission received a presentation and authorized moving forward with fees for public safety, city administration, water facilities, sewer facilities, and storm water management along with updated fees for parks and recreation during your 01/20/2026 meeting.

The necessary ordinance is likewise being prepared and that is actually anticipated to be completed pretty soon. So working with everybody involved to get to that place, we look forward to offering those considerations before the commission. Once that is adopted, it will take approximately a month or so to program cost into the permitting software. So there will be a transition process associated with getting to that place, but nevertheless, forward momentum has been initiated per direction and expectation of the city commission as well as what we talked about to this effect during the current fiscal year proposed budget process. A little follow-up clarity regarding claims, payouts and settlements $500,000 and over.

First of all, as many realize sovereign immunity sovereign immunity caps under Florida statute seven sixty eight point two eight exists. Per person, that's $200,000. Per incident, $300,000. Examples of everyday government operational claims, one, car accidents, two, slip and fall, three, failure to maintain public infrastructure. Settlements exceeding $500,000 are typically associated with federal or other separate laws not subject to the aforementioned Florida statute.

Federal claims, these include federal claims involving civil rights for instance, constitutional violations for example, unlawful arrest, excessive force, whistleblower complaints, employment discrimination concerns. Likewise, a bit of a focus relative to Lift Station 34. We recently talked a little bit about this. However, I thought it was important to further underscore some particular concern to this effect. There were questions regarding the length of time that it took to complete the due diligence process and working with everybody involved, the due diligence process really began between August 2025 up until February 2026, resulting in follow-up meetings with the office of the city manager and all others involved to get to a place to facilitate transactions and adjustments to cover the associated expense because this was in fact an emergency, not to mention being thorough enough to be in position to proceed with the claims process.

Again, we did talk a little bit about this pretty well at a most recent city commission meeting. However, I think it's important to underscore that there is in fact exist a rather involved due diligence process involving both parties to get to a place of understanding where we need to be in terms of moving forward with respect to claims and other transactions. As far as special events, city of Delray Beach special events potential write downs for outstanding balances. We have three different categories for which we are involved, and this direction or recommendation is do not involve the city commission in all respective categories. But there are some particular considerations based on requests having been experienced both formally and informally that will necessitate an engagement in that regard.

First of all, category number one. The total number of customers in this place are 31 individuals and organizations. Invoices dated March '4. Not 24, ladies and gentlemen, o four. In other words, the span of about twenty two years.

So from March '4 until March 2026, total amount invoice is due of $155,134. Thank you. Category two, finance financial related recommendations, invoice write downs, very old invoices and customers probably out of business. Total number of customers at three and this time frame spans between March 2004 up until March or excuse me, June 2023. Total amount of invoices of about $50,729.

Category three, invoices for city commission decision, which is what we are contemplating as we prepare accordingly. The total balance in this category about $59,000. A number of customers of about 19, these are invoices going back to 2015 up until 2024 so a span of about nine years since we've implemented a number of improvements to make sure we have collections in place and we all are squared away in this regard Actions to be taken with potential write downs. These invoices are considered uncollectible and the Department of Finance has recommended write downs in the accounting records to 1¢ to preserve history. Two, all events having occurred but before 01/01/2025, the account invoice will be sent to the city's collection agency.

So for that category, that would be facilitated via collection agency. Four, the event producer will be listed on the city's arrears list that includes name of entity and names of key executives. A, will not be allowed to book future events. B, will not be allowed or be eligible for grants from neighborhood and community services because interestingly enough, a number of organizations do what they can to pursue opportunities in this realm. C, will not be eligible for grants awarded by the city commission or any other city affiliation.

This is the path forward moving forward in the event that they are in its place. Five, an update of special event policy will soon be in place that includes requirement for a deposit equal to 50% of anticipated city calls for a, any events produced by any person or entity who has been delinquent in paying a city invoice for any event in the previous two years b first time events c any event with reimbursable city costs anticipated to exceed $5,000. Additionally all c tech meetings by the way c tech is special events technical advisory committee meetings are recorded and minutes are prepared applications from producers with overdue balances are not considered cost estimates are available to producers on request invoices are prepared and usually sent within thirty days of the events reminders for payments are sent to those who have not yet paid their invoices. A statement asking if the producer understands that they will incur costs that will be due to the city is now read when an event passes through the CTEC process and a producer must acknowledge the statement on the record. Additional actions to be taken to prevent repeated issues.

The special event manager will continue to work closely with the city's finance department to ensure that invoices continue to go out in a timely manner and that all aspects of the special event policy are here to including collection of deposits where required, payment of all funds owed, implementation of penalties when the policy is violated. I'd like to also offer a brief reminder of the city snapshot position you all had an opportunity to experience this during your last city commission meeting April 21 we talked a little bit about the revenue and expenditure balances being in positive position or favorable position aggregately So this is a snapshot for fiscal year ending 09/30/2025, which is to be formally recognized via the current ACFR annual comprehensive financial reporting process, which will soon be before you by the external auditors. This is simply a similar summary for the first quarter ending 12/31/2025 so the current fiscal year we are now entering the third quarter early part of the third quarter we actually entered back in April so the city of Delray Beach remains in a solid position in this regard also this section concludes the fund balance position the fund balance policy position being anywhere between 21% to 25% we are currently positioned at the higher end at roughly 24.79% as of the adopted budget period so we did highlight that during last meeting's presentation but again I think it's important to highlight for the commission and the community the sound financial management that's actually being administered by all involved the Department of Finance all departments every level of the organization So I'd like to conclude by offering some positive highlights.

As I mentioned during the early part of the presentation, ladies and gentlemen, my tendency at times oftentimes, frankly, is to be an overly optimistic fellow. Whenever there are mistakes, when there are missteps, missteps, I do what I can to highlight the positive. Go to the positive place, get to the absolute environment in which we can achieve. Before I talk a little bit about this and just to be clear, the opportunity to engage with respect to the write down considerations for the one category versus the three that I highlighted a little earlier, that's anticipated during the city commission meeting next month. So I'll be visiting with you all individually to talk about some specifics in that regard to alleviate any specific concerns or questions that might exist before we offer that opportunity but again I have no ability to do that on my own it's not a simple transaction process it does necessitate an opportunity for City Commission to get to a place in which they can offer their guidance and expectations given the expression of interest in the community and elsewhere so a narrative responsible stewardship and thoughtful innovation Derry Beach is moving forward with several major projects across the city.

Investments in public safety, infrastructure, parks, culture and the environment. Each project addresses specific need but together they are part of a coordinated approach grounded in planning, fiscal responsibility and long term thinking. This reflects Derry Beach's commitment to managing public resources wisely while preparing for the needs of today's residents and future generations. One city, one coordinated approach and again, we have a lot in which to be proud of if I could get to that place, quite frankly, ladies and gentlemen, given the myriad of work from the office of the city manager, the department directors, staff at all levels of the organization, the general maintenance worker, any and every man and woman serving the city of Delray Beach, loyally, committedly, and faithfully makes a contribution in that regard and we do as much as we possibly can to credit them and to showcase their appreciation. So that's a continuous endeavor as well.

Rather than planning projects in isolation, the city of Delray Beach alliance efforts across departments to ensure improvements move forward efficiently and thoughtfully. What we are investing in just to continue. Water, the modernization of the city's water treatment plant supports public health, system reliability and long term resilience. The upgrades will enhance system reliability, increase treatment capacity, and strengthen resilience against future growth and environmental challenges. The project is currently underway as mister Hajimeri and myself have reported a number of times recently with a substantial completion date anticipated in August 2028 with full completion in October to November 2028.

As far as public safety, a new police headquarter facility funded via voter approved general obligation bonds is designed to support modern policing practices and community engagement. The facility is designed to enhance operational efficiency, improve coordination among units and create a more welcoming environment for community interaction, reinforcing the city's commitment to safety and transparency. Resiliency. Beach renourishment and natural dune management projects Derry Beach Shoreline, which is currently being finalized with the current renovation program, enhance coastal resilience and preserve one of the city's most treasured natural resources. As miss Barletto talked a little bit about a little while ago, for the fourth consecutive year, Derry Beach Municipal Beach has earned the prestigious blue flag designation.

The designation as an internationally recognized symbol of excellence for beaches that meet high standards for water quality, environmental management, safety and public education. Community spaces, investments via a second general obligation bond approved back in March 2023 supports improvements across parks and recreation facilities, expanding access, usability, and quality of life citywide. The comprehensive renovation of Pompe Park enhances recreational facilities, expands programming, and improves accessibility while honoring the park's historic and cultural significance that's of course in partnership with the Delray Beach Community Development Agency we have a special meeting joint meeting called for May 26 of which the opportunity to offer direction in terms of next steps is before you as well and of course you've heard from some enthusiastic members of the community regarding the current Derry Beach Municipal golf course renovation program. Renovations to the municipal golf course balance improved playability with long term sustainability preserving historic public asset for future generations. Roadways, transportation improvement projects across the city including the Swinton Avenue and Atlantic Avenue intersections, focus on safety, mobility and the experience of residents and visitors.

Austin culture, the renovation of the Crest Theatre represents a renewed investment in Derry Beach's most cherished cherished, pardon me, cultural landmarks. Designed to preserve the building's historic character while modernizing its interior, the project will enhance performance capabilities, improve accessibility, and create a more welcoming experience for all. The space will support a wider range of programming and serve as a vibrant hub for arts, culture, and community connection in the heart of the Old School Square Campus. Expanding programming and continued investment at the creative art school located on the historic Old School Square Campus of course strengthens Derry Beach's commitment to accessible arts education and a vibrant cultural community. Preservation efforts at Sunday Village protect historic cottages while allowing these spaces to continue serving the community through thoughtful reuse.

With that, ladies and gentlemen, I really appreciate the opportunity to respond. I remain extremely grateful for the opportunity to serve as Derry Beach's city manager. That has not changed. That has not waned one bit. Given the fact that we are, in fact, a high performance organization with a lot underway as I did my best to try to underscore us tonight as part of tonight's presentation simply aligns with the fact that mistakes do occur.

Inconveniences are the case from time to time. Nevertheless, we learn from that. We do what we best we can to achieve and to get to the absolute best place possible. That oftentimes requires a great deal of patience and individual adjustments attention. But nevertheless, we are here to maintain a positive productive experience for all concerned. And quite frankly, I hope that the community, in addition to the city commission, will continue to offer their support for our efforts moving forward. Not to mention to what we've been able to accomplish thus far as highlighted in the presentation, but as we continue to move forward because in the coming years we will be quite busy as a municipality. So with that ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your time, and again, much appreciate the opportunity.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. We're now moving on.

Wait a second. We don't get to comment. We comment after every pra you're not gonna let me speak after that?

Anyone's hearing

a lot of information in there that was not right.

You're welcome to use your commission

I'm gonna use my commission comments, but it's highly unusual, highly unusual to have a presentation

You made that

point, to it speak. I think my colleagues should vote on that.

You should say what you like to say.

Would like my colleagues to vote. Chair.

There's not subject to a

vote. You're not this is highly unusual procedure You're welcome. To have presentation and not let someone respond. You know, the It's unheard of.

Chair's decision, not yours.

Okay, chair.

There there we go. Item four f, which is now small business month proclamation. That will be assistant city manager, Oris. You have the proclamation to read.

Thank you. Mayor, as you mentioned, Jeff Horse, assistant city manager, and this proclamation is states, whereas small businesses are the backbone of Florida's economy, making up 99.7% of all businesses in the state, and whereas small businesses employ 57.2% of the state of Florida's workforce, and whereas since 1995, small businesses have generated more than 62% of net new jobs in The United States, whereas Delray Beach, Florida recognize and celebrates our local small businesses and the vital contributions they make through our We Heart Small Business Year Round campaign, and whereas 94% of consumers in The United States appreciate the contributions small businesses make in their community, and whereas local business advocacy advocacy groups such as the Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority, the Greater Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce, and the Delray Beach Office of Economic Development, as well as public and private organizations across the region encourage and endorse the recognition of May 2026 as a month to support and recognize the contributions of small businesses in our community. Of course, it ends with, now, therefore, I, Thomas f Carney junior, mayor of the city of Delray Beach, Florida on behalf of the city commission. Do you hear my complain

You're looking good there, Tom.

Do do you hear my hey. If I could, have the the health you've had lately, I'd be a happy guy. Do hereby proclaim May 2026 as small business month and urge the residents and visitors of our community to support local Delray Beach small businesses and merchants during small business month.

Thank you very much, mister Ors.

May be free. Our partners from the CRA, the DDA, and the Chamber of Commerce are all here. We're kind of hoping we'll we'll do a photo option Good.

Good. Good. Good. Good. Good.

The last item is the proclamation for the National Historic Preservation Month. Let me read this proclamation. Whereas throughout the month of May 2026, the residents of Delray Beach, Florida and its visitors celebrate the importance of preserving historic resources and their significance to community. And whereas preservation month began as National Preservation Week in 1973. In 2005, the National Trust extended the celebration through the entire month of May and declared it preservation month to provide an even greater opportunity to celebrate the diverse and unique heritage of our country's cities and states.

And whereas historic preservation is an effective tool for managing growth, revitalizing neighborhoods, fostering local pride, and maintaining community character while enhancing livability. And whereas implementing historic preservation has been shown to preserve the city's historic neighborhoods and its important architectural resources, provide financial incentives, and improve the local economy, especially in Florida, attracting tourism and garnering interest in the city's architectural and cultural heritage. And whereas local preservation groups, state historical societies, and business and civic organizations across the country celebrate preservation months through the honoring of local historic sites, events that promote historic places, heritage tourism, and that demonstrate that the social and economic benefits of historic preservation during the month of May 2026. And whereas The United States marks the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, looking to the places that bring its most powerful promise to life and preservationists making sure that those places endure. And whereas all people are created equal is the theme for National Preservation Month in 2026, cosponsored by the city of Delray Beach, Delray Beach Historical Society, Delray Beach Preservation Trust, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Now, therefore, I, Thomas f Carney junior, mayor of the city Of Delray Beach, on behalf of the city commission, do hereby proclaim the month of May as 2026 as National Historic Preservation Month in the city of Delray Beach and urge its citizens, businesses, and organizations to join me in the special observance in witness where have set my hand and seal to official seal the city of Delray Beach this 05/05/2026. If I could have John Miller. Thank you very much. Wanna say a few words?

Very briefly, thank you so much for the city of Delray commission, mister city manager, city attorney. Delray stands alone, I would say, in this part of South Florida in terms of historic preservation. It was a genesis of the revitalization of this town, and there's hundreds of cities up and down the East Coast Of Florida and very, very few dollar beaches. So thank you very much for your dedication to this effort.

Thank you, mister Miller. And thank the Historic Preservation Trust and the National Historic Society for all the work that they do. Comments and inquiries on agenda and non agenda items from the public. First is the city manager's response to inquiries and highlights.

I yod at this time.

Thank you. Okay. Now we are now to a portion of the meeting which is for public comment. Let me read you the let me read you the the rules on public comment. The meeting is now open to the public comment from anyone wishing to speak on any topic or agenda item other than the quasar judicial items and public hearing items. Public hearing items are going to be starting with agenda item eight, eight a. And there is a seven b, which is a quasi judicial, so that will be you will not be able to speak on that item during this portion of the meeting. The public will be have an opportunity to speak on the quasi judicial and public hearing items later in the meeting as those agenda items are caused. For public comment, please sign in. State your name and ZIP code for the record. You will each have three minutes.

Good evening. Price Patton, 33483. Welcome to National Historic Preservation Month. I think it I appreciate the proclamation. I didn't know we were gonna be included in it. One of the things we did this month was we have these these signs that are signs of of distinction, and we made we we put them in front of this year, we've done churches, and we've done private things. We've done schools. This year, we did public buildings. And seven of the eight public buildings we signed were owned by the city, which shows that the city has made a commitment to historic preservation, and we appreciate that. There's a QR code on the sign.

It links back to our web page. You can find out the history about the buildings. So we thought that was pretty cool. We've done it for about five years. And the the main point of my coming up here is is this is is kind of a a generational opportunity for this commission to to mark historic preservation month.

There are a couple properties, the the Veterans Park and the and the and the cemetery, which are are ripe for expanding our historic stock of spaces and places. It's it's you know, the the commissioners back in forty years ago had the foresight to create five historic districts. There's not been a single historic district created since then. There's been 15 or 20 individual designations, but this is an opportunity to get the the cemetery and Veterans Park. Hopefully, later when the golf courses are completed, we can get that.

Historic general historic designation creates heritage tourism, and the history of the the cemetery is absolutely fascinating. It was where our black and white pioneers were were laid to rest. Both the cemetery and the and Veterans Park have seen better days. They're they're they're in they're in in bad shape. We could use money to clean up the cemeteries, the headstones. They that would be a great project for a for a for a boy scout group to clean those headstones, they could learn about the histories and the people who are who are who are laid to rest there. So we would urge you to

what I

what I'm urging is that the that the that the commission take steps to start the process of designating the the the Veterans Park and the and the cemetery as historic. Staff needs direction to do that. I'm asking you to vote to to direct staff to at least prepare those designations. The cemetery designations are repaired. It's it says reports says they're eligible for national designation as well as local. The preservation trust wrote the the application for Veterans Park. So it's all there. It's it's like I think I've said it's there are two pretty pieces of low hanging fruit there that for you to grab opportunity. Thank you very much.

Thank you very much, mister Patton.

Hi.

Stephanie Embleman, the Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce. In honor of small business month, the Delray Chamber is gonna be hosting a business expo on May 19 from five to 7PM at the Aloft Hotel. This is free and open to the public. So we've got about 48 businesses that'll be, exhibiting there, including four restaurants. So you'll get some food out of it if you want to. But, this is a really good opportunity for the public to get to know our small businesses and interact with them and support them. So we hope to see you there. And thank you to Gina and her team for helping us to promote this event. We appreciate that.

Thank you. Time of day is it?

It's from five to 7PM.

We have a city commission meeting night.

The Lost Hotel.

K. Oh,

no. I invite all of you

to come.

Oh, oh, oh, no.

Can't make it.

Just letting you know. Free enough to come

up like.

That's okay.

Thanks. Sounded good. Sounded good.

Evening, mister mayor commissioners. Greg Snyder, 33445. Here on also behalf of the Preservation Trust. And I have a lot of prepared remarks that Price has already covered. So I just wanna echo what he said. I know I've approached all of you individually about Veterans Park. It's the historic it's the historic heart of the city. It and it needs to be recognized. The same thing with the cemetery. I think that he said it better than I can.

The people that are buried there are the people who built Delray Beach, and it needs to be done. And I just just encourage you, as he said, to get the staff moving. I've talked to historic preservation staff, and they're willing to start cooperating with us on this with direction. Thank you.

Thank you very much, mister Snyder.

Hi. Joy Howell, 33444. First of all, I just wanna thank you for your recognition for, historic preservation in your in your actions today. And, also, I know it's on the agenda for your goal setting this Friday. And I I wanna just support what my colleagues have said here.

I'm a past president of the Preservation Trust, and I think that trying to get something something done this year on the cemetery and possibly Veterans Park, at least some sort of a preservation of the land. And then if you wanna build on it later or if there's other actions, great. Thirdly, I have an idea. I'm a little concerned about demolition by neglect, and I'm wondering how do we address this. I know city staff gives it their best efforts, but I wonder if you couldn't create a hot list, and maybe the public could even, you know, give, you know, suggestions.

But you create a hot list of properties that are in danger of demolition by neglect, and you start to have a report at your commission meetings on a regular basis, what's been done, where does it stand, what are the dangers, what's our time frame, so that we help these owners who are trying to do the right thing but just can't seem to quite get it all done. So that would be my, my question to you, and, good luck on Friday.

Thank you very much. Jim Chard, 33483. Since I have two subjects, can I get six minutes? No. That was the joke.

But you're have one and a half minutes each.

I wanted to add to what was said, about the Reef Institute is they just won the $100,000 grant from Impact one hundred. Oh. Yes.

They did.

And think a big part of their winning that was because of this city's input on. And, definitely, in their presentation, they they mentioned that. And I think it is now incumbent upon us to ask them to follow-up and start planning out, out planting those corals in our reefs. I too want to talk about historic preservation. One of the proudest moments of my life was to serve as the chair on that board for two years.

I think that historic preservation really makes a difference in what a city is, its identity, its self respect, its pride, and it is an ongoing process because of things like demolition by neglect, because of the cost of doing it. Some of the residents who have reserved and preserved and saved buildings have literally spent millions of dollars. And I think we owe it to them to have a category that can expedite some of these things. Nearly everywhere I go when that subject comes up, there are complaints about how long it takes. And I I think that with support from this commission, that process can be looked into and speeded up on the behalf of the city and also the applicants.

Thank you.

Thank you, mister Chuck. John Miller, 1502 Fenton Drive. Thank you again for the proclamation. I appreciate it. It's a good night for me to be here tonight because, I really appreciated the video from the Reef Institute and what Missy put on as a scuba diver and a fisherman. So much depends on the health and, of our reef system. And I've dove out there many, many, many times, and the videos don't even do it justice. It's amazing. So thank you so much for taking the, putting the attention on that. For the Evans scholarship, a good friend of mine's son is a scholarship recipient, and he's right now at Miami University in Ohio.

And so it's a wonderful program. He's got a full ride, and, I would strongly encourage you to do anything we can to bring that to Delray. And then what Joy and Price and Jim said about demolition by neglect, especially, that is a challenge here in Delray Beach. We do have, property owners that are letting their properties, decline. And for all of the efforts that Delray puts in this historic preservation, that is one area I think where a little more focus could put on it. And thank you very much. Appreciate it.

Thank you, mister Mueller.

Doctor Spencer, 33444. So I was excited to see the city's priority resiliency, building as a city, because I think investing the opioid settlement funds and school based substance abuse prevention is actually a natural and strategic extension of that. Schools are trusted community rooted institutions, and they reach our young people at critical stages of development, which makes them the highest leverage point that we can actually have when it comes to prevention. LSIS, living skills in the schools, is able to build these protective factors at scale. So we teach our youth emotional regulation, we help them with healthy decision making, peer resistance skills, and these become community wide social norms.

They strengthen families, They connect community organizations as partners, and every dollar spent multiplies in investment, towards reducing future costs with health care, criminal justice, and social services. So I encourage you as you look ahead to the allocation of the opioid settlement funds and the strategic priority around resilience that you consider supporting school based substance abuse prevention, not just as a health intervention, but because it commits our community, to its own future. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Doctor. Spencer.

Hi. Good evening. Laura Simon with the Downtown Development Authority. And I wanted to just thank you all for your recognition of our small businesses. Downtown, has over 96% of our businesses or 95 probably now, percent of our business are small.

And, independent, mom, mothers, husband and wife teams out there, running their businesses, and we really cherish what they give to our community. We recognize that through our organization this month because this week is we're celebrating moms. So moms, sisters, daughters, all of that. We encourage everyone to think about shopping and doing your shopping for mom downtown. And when we do that, we're giving away orchids.

This is our I think probably our sixteenth year of doing the orchid giveaway. So this is a customer appreciation event. You spend $200 in a store throughout the downtown and you can receive an orchid. Also, I just wanna congratulate the city for the fourth blue fat flag, which is a huge recognition for us. For those who don't understand, international travel looks for a blue flag to travel. So being one of I'm not sure if we're the only one in Florida this year. No. Boca? Okay. So but there's only three in the country.

Correct? That's amazing. So that that is amazing for international We've got the World's Cup. So we want them all to come to Delray. We also elect for Best Beach in Florida. The voting is still there. So everybody vote for Delray to win Best Beach again. They're in the running, so we wanna win that again. So you can go to our Facebook page. We have it up there so you can vote every day with twelve days left.

And then I just wanna you had other proclamations on the agenda recognizing public works, the city the clerks, firefighters, our internal auditor week. I mean, are serious positions within our city that do amazing work for our community, and, they should be recognized with either a list or read their proclamation out loud as well. But, and then I do, support personally, I support the cemetery, recognition and and just implore any extra efforts that can be made to in just revitalize the landscape out there and remove the dirt and replace it with sod. It just it is really it's sad. It's already sad place to be, but to be there and to be you know, unfortunately, it's it's sad visually.

So I just ex and just encourage everyone to put that on the list. And I look forward to the goal setting on Friday because there is a lot a great deal on the agenda.

But there's three in the Continental United States. Unfortunately, the state of Hawaii has a bunch of them. So but then

Well, they should. So far

away that you know

really bless them. We should all be them.

But point noted. Aloha. Thank you. Aloha.

My name is Chuck Gritley. I'm 33444. I also want to share that I support preserving and enhancing the history, particularly of the cemetery. I would hope that we also preserve all of the history because just as Delray was segregated, so was the cemetery. And just make sure we lift it up, not as a dig, but let's preserve the history.

That's one. I also know that I can't target a comment at anyone, so I think I wanna bring it to the commission. I really appreciate your staff. I really appreciate the presentation that I heard tonight. What it reminded me from May 1990 until January 2021, there was a period when Delray really was a national leader in Midtown sizes.

Some of you were even elected during that period. And unlike your city manager who would know those dates on his arm, the reason I know them is because of the help of AI. But what I did know is what happened

Most people don't admit that, mister Ridley.

Yeah. But what did when I was, I was engaged. I was here. I was really proud. From 2013, and I was here last year, until 2021, we had eight city managers. That cannot be considered the high watermark of this city. What was different with mister Harden? He had a commission that understood he was the city manager, and they were the commission. And that there was a need to collaborate, not only between yourselves but with citizens to make sure we reach that mark. Between 2013 and '21, I believe there were times we lost sight of that.

But from 2021 to now, I believe there is a reset. I I believe that your staff is some of the finest that you're gonna find. I believe community is willing to step in and collaborate. I believe most of the commissioners want to work hand in hand. But we're gonna need 100% of all of us to get to a place that we realize and recognize that the North Star for is greatness. And let's all strive to make sure Delray is a place that my grandson and my grandson's grandson will thrive the way they're I have since I've been here. Thank you for letting me

share. Thank you very much, mister Ridley. Are there any other members of the public wishing to speak? Seeing none, public comment is closed. We now go to I need the approval of the consent agenda as amended.

So moved. Second.

All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Consent agenda is approved. We now go to regular agenda item seven a a, which is former item six g. Is it? Yep. Six e, which is the I guess mister Mitad will be making this presentation for both six e and six f, which is seven a a and seven b b. Yes.

Good sir. Good evening, mayor and commissioner. Sam Mittat, director of parks and recreation. I think I have the next four. So you're

hear me Are you all the next four?

You're gonna hear me for me for a little bit.

Oh, yeah. You are.

Yeah. Five.

Is it five?

Well, because you

have the No. We're pulling you full of one of those calls. So yeah. Yeah. Sorry.

It would have been five.

It would have been five. Yeah. I got I got it.

It would have been five. Alright. First order of business

is Actually, no. It is because you got 7A as well.

7A? What do I got? Seven a? The

drone show?

It says seven a. It says Samitot, AC The

special event drone show, which is what popped up on the screen. So that would be after the amended

Please continue with seven eighty eight.

Well, just for the record, typically, mister Oris presents the the special events to the commission.

So but

I'm happy to help. Alright. Alright.

Item the first item is a request for additional spending on a purchase contract with Musco Lighting. We have been doing Musco LED lighting for the sports fields. As you know, we've we've already retrofitted all of Seacrest up there. We've also did Hilltopper Stadium. And at Miller Park, which is the baseball complex, we have been doing more of a phased approach.

We've done two fields at a time. This will be we've done four of the six fields, and this will be the next two. It's two fields for retrofitting from old LED lighting to new LED lighting over at the Seacrest Soccer Complex. Like I said, it's Musco, so it all matches the same systems. Anecdotally, we got a great report from f FPL last night that Seacrest and Hilltopper had a dramatic reduction in cost for changing from an old lighting system to a new lighting system. We completed that project back in the '25, and the numbers coming back are about a third, just over a a third of what the the energy costs were over the last year.

So these funds are coming out of the geo bond revenues that we have?

Right. This is sports lighting was one of the key components of the general bond.

Right. Right. Yep. For for Miller Field. Remember. Yep. I remember as part of the Miller Field team. So the funds we we have on hand through the through the the general obligation Okay. So then if there's any discussion on this, Commissioner Gasol?

No. I was going to pull it just to inquire about the cost. But you've covered that and so do you want me to make a motion? Sorry.

Commissioner Burns?

No. I was just looking at the the contract increase. So you said that you you utilize a phased approach. So is that because you're doing it in phases that you have to request additional the increase at the time?

Correct. Yep.

Okay. But it was included in the original

proposal for the GO bond?

Correct. Okay. Alright.

Any other comments? No. Then I need a motion to approve.

So moved.

Second. All in favor?

Aye.

Aye. Any opposed? Unanimous. Thank you. Six f. Additional funding request for the increase for REP services for park equipment, etcetera.

Yes. Rep service is one of the biggest playground and park equipment providers utilizing a a contract with additional revenue request for $32,000. Two main items is all new benches as well as there's a portion of this. I think it's $8,000 from neighborhood community services for new trash cans and lids in the downtown area.

Okay.

Again, we we have the budgeted amounts for this in our in our budget. This is simply an increase on the threshold for the Could I contract for additional spending.

Yes. Yes. You wish

I think the fundamental question, there's two things going on. Right? There's a lot of spending, which is considered additional spending. In other words, we didn't necessarily expect it. But also, I think there's concern about how are we actually applying the Geo Bond Fund money. Is is it appropriate? This one's not geobond.

Oh, this one isn't?

The additional spending on the park equipment

It is not.

And concrete slabs?

The there was mention in the I actually called someone

who is funded through general obligation.

That was prior.

That was the previous transaction related to aggregate project. This recommendation does not contemplate any general obligation bond funding.

Okay. I had a question mark bond funding. So okay. Well

In fairness, the city attorney did as well, so we we discussed it today.

Oh, thank you. I apologize that I probably should have checked in with you earlier. No worries. Been working on other stuff.

Confused too.

Thank you.

Then we need if any

other comments,

then I

need a

motion to approve?

So moved.

Just have a question. Commissioner Amal.

They're getting these trash can lids, but why are we paying them $5,000 to put them in? Can't we put them in?

I don't believe that's for the installation of the lids.

It says installer, RSI installer total.

But we would install the trash can receptacle, but not the lid portion. Like, some of the trash cans are affixed to the ground.

Right. Yeah. So they're getting $5,000 to put the lids on it. Is that right? Sorry. I didn't No. No.

I I would have to double check on that one myself as far as the installation component.

But

Maybe I'm reading it wrong.

You've been there. I have a question.

You wish to be recognized, commissioner Burns?

Yes. I just have a question. Is this the first revision of this particular item?

Of this particular item? Yeah. I mean It's not the first addition additional spending to this government contract for rep services. Because rep services, we bought playgrounds with them before. We bought other products them before. So we've brought you this before for different projects, but, again, with using this contract.

Within what kind of time frame? Because I'm looking at like, was this a new solicitation or because it starts out small, but then it ends up being $2,000,000. Additional spending for Yeah.

It it's a it's a piggyback contract. So it's a very large contract in another county. And so we're using their contract, which has a lot of spending. We don't need that much for and we don't necessarily have to buy the same things they're using. I'm sorry?

The reason why this is before you is because initially when this contract was approved as a piggyback, there was a certain fixed amount that was requested by staff. Staff wants to continue using this piggyback and so it needs to come before you because it's under the it's over the $100,000 threshold. So they are using the contract a lot and I think that's what some of the concern was with the additional spending. However, it's because, these are piggybacks. Clay County put out the solicitation and the law allows us to utilize that contract up until such time as it expires.

So they're using it for different projects. And so every time they wanna use that contract, if it's over a $100,000, then they have to bring it before the commission for approval. Yeah.

I think she said what I was trying to say much.

Way more

eloquent. Okay.

Alright. Thank you. Sam, I pulled up the invoice if you wanna just take a look at it.

Yep. The recycling. This is, like, 1

of $2,000,000. Okay.

Can we I

want you to approve.

I'm good.

Thank you, Moffett. Mister

It's a first and a second. All in favor? You have a question, mister Moffett. I do not the the all then we have a motion and a second. All all in favor? Aye. Any opposed?

Oh, you got your answer?

No. It has to do with the and FMA, just to address it. If you could flip back to that, please. The $5,000 references a total installation fee. It's offloading equipment and mobilization. That's the specific reference

that you referred to.

We didn't we weren't

installing them. That's a fee they charge for, like, bringing them and getting

them The mobilization expenses. One had the impression that it was to install the actual list. That's not what that is, to be clear, for the record.

Well, it says RSI installer. It sounds like is that what they charge to take away the old ones?

Yeah. And it's I I believe that's, like, their version of shipping and handling.

Correct.

They're trying to to do the freight. Well,

the freight is actually $9.55 29.

Yeah.

Just take a peek at this.

Absolutely. Do you need to do

Do wanna defer this until you get clarity?

No. I mean, I'm not.

Because you only got one eye. You got no nays, but you only got one eye on that. And that was commissioner Martin. Was He the only one that said aye.

Is it all in favor?

And then nobody said anything

except that. Alright.

So I'm I'm just I just wanna make sure it's clear.

Are we finished with okay. We have a I we have a motion and a second. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you

for listening. Yeah.

Yeah. We're looking we we were still looking at

that stuff. Very serious.

Yes. Alright.

So Now the reason the reason I pulled six g, mister Michaac, is frankly, I'm looking at a contract with a 50% increase. So so, you know, we're adding another 300,000 onto the 600,000. And I kinda went through the history of, you know, additional security at the tennis court and additional thing. I mean, I just I guess, when we're bidding these things out originally, are we just missing the numbers? Is something happening? Is there a new developments? And and, you know, what is it that that would cause a 50% increase in in in a in a contract?

Yeah. Little bit all over the place on that answer, and here's where where we'll start. One of the main things is a Davis Cup. Right? We added the Davis Cup after this event. Lot of security written there. Little I'm guessing about a year ago. I'm I can't remember the day off some head. We began for doing security out here for all of the commission meetings. Those weren't part of the original bid. So those are additional expenses and additional security details that we've been adding over the years or over the year to increase this number. We're spending more on security than we anticipated in the beginning. Okay. Even for our events, we're using more security than we initially anticipated because it actually is a it's a cost reduction versus police detail in many cases.

Okay. Chair recognizes commissioner Giselle.

Thank you. But are we providing security to youth football games?

We have for certain football games. Really? Depending on the game, we require metal detectors or in place of some PD

for Wow. Different St. Patrick's Day, you can pull that because I don't think we can have that next year based on the new law. So that should bring our number down. No?

It would reduce the need.

Correct. Yep.

Well but have you taken that number out as we're as as we're agreeing on additional spending? Have you considered removing the Saint Patrick's Day?

We did not because we started filing this,

you know, sometime.

I feel like but we need to. Right? Because we're not

bring this back and do so.

Okay. I think yeah. Because that'll change it substantially, the number. True. That's expensive.

77,000.

Perhaps we should do that. It's my opinion.

Any any other if anybody else would you direct me?

Where's the funding coming from? Where's the funding coming from?

We have the the the funding in our budget, but we don't have the authority to continue to spend. Okay. Got it.

Thank you. So it's already a budgeted item. Right. It's okay. Any other any other things? Then I need a motion to approve or has it removed?

What how's he taking it? Are you when you're gonna take out the Saint Patrick's Day in the future?

Well, that's what they're gonna be looking at that's a separate that's a separate thing. We're gonna be looking

at all special events. Those funds.

No. We're gonna be looking at all the special events, I think. So Some will see see where we

can go. Second.

All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? It is adopted approved. Excuse me. Alright. Six h

Yeah.

Which is the spending request of of increase in mulch. Again, this is a doubling the contract price for mulch, and did we not know that we were gonna be mulching? I mean, what what what has come what's new which is causing us to have a $150,000 increase in our mulch contract? Again Mulch and sod.

One of the biggest things that we've experienced is is not only doing more and more events, and Davis Cup is another event where we come in and beautify the area, using more mulch in on the lawn for the car shows, things like that. But, also, it's the blown in mulches, which is what the service is, where the company comes in with a big vac truck and blows it all in for for you, significantly reduces our staff time as well on many of our projects where, conversely, we would be buying a lot of mulch and spending a lot of staff hours putting mulch out. This is becoming more efficient and cost effective approach to doing the mulch.

So you think this is cheaper than if we did it the other way? Is that what we're

It is exactly the your man hours.

Okay. How often are we replacing the turf at Old School Square? Because that that takes a beating.

You're talking about the the grass turf? Yeah. Well, we replace the the main, what we call the great lawn

Yep.

Every year Every year. Right after the tree, usually late February depending on early March based on when we can get it in around the schedule. And then the front lawn, we're replacing almost twice a year now. That's what

I thought. Yeah.

Just so much activity on the lawn right now.

There's an event every weekend there. So It's tough.

We we've looked at this

in the

past of even doing artificial turf there, but then that creates a whole host of other problems. So it's a challenge. It absolutely is a challenge. It's hard to out maintain the use.

Yep. Any other commissioners? I hear Do you recognize your comment? Yes. Commissioner Burns.

And and again, this is not coming from the bond fund. This is just coming from your budget. Okay. Got it. Alright.

Okay. Any do any other comments? And then I need a motion to approve?

Motion to approve.

Second. Second.

All in favor? Alright. Any opposed? Okay. It's unanimous. Perfect. Thank you all.

We have removed

Oh, you removed the sod.

Thank you, Sam. Okay. And we are now headed to seven a. Oh, guess I'm Correct?

We'll stick around.

Resolution 84 dash 20 six. If the city attorney could read, please, the resolution.

A resolution of the city commissioner of the city of Delray Beach, Florida approving an impact event known as Delray In The Sky Drone Show to be held 07/29/2026, authorizing the closure of Swinton Avenue from Atlantic Avenue to 1st Street as more specifically described herein, authorizing the city manager to take all actions necessary to effectuate the intent of this resolution providing for an effective date and for other purposes.

Thank you very much. Mister Orris.

Jeff Orris, assistant city manager.

This is

pretty simple one for you. This comes before you as it's an impact event for two reasons. It is anticipated to attract a crowd of more than 3,500 people as well as we are looking to close Swinton for this this event as well. As you recall last year, we did drone show for the first time. It was very popular in the middle of the summer.

Families came out, Josiah happened to be there, and I saw a lot of families out there as well as we got very positive feedback from the businesses on Atlantic because it came at a very low time in the middle of summer. We are looking to emulate that again. The show is it will be expanded. The idea of using Swinton is because for those of you who may have been out there, it was very difficult to see in certain parts of Old School Square. A lot of people were on the Swinton side, and the police were very concerned about people being out at Swinton and crossing mid Block. So it's best to close the road to give an an optional viewing location while maintaining safety for those who came out to see the show. We had no major incidents. We had no minor incidents last year. We don't expect any this year at all. Very positive for the city.

We incur about $10,000 in staff costs, for staffing the event, but certainly, a good solid family friendly event for the city.

The only thing I'd throw out is I was saying to somebody yesterday, we did run into problems last week because president Trump was at Mar A Lago, and the secret service put restrictions on how high the drones could fly. Right. We can't predict if he's to be here or not, but for those that were there last year, one of the reasons you couldn't see some of the drones is because the Secret Service had restrictions on us about how high the drones could fly from a security standpoint. So if if he is there, we'll face similar issues. And and also for those in the public, the reason that they do it over the tennis center is you wanna do those in areas that are unmanned in case a drone conks out.

So it it's where we're doing is is a really good spot. And I I happen to agree with closing Swinton. I saw people crossing that road very, very dangerous. So that would be in our best interest.

Thank you. Any other commissioners wishing to be recognized? Nope. Then I need a motion to approve resolution 84 dash 26. Second. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? It is it is adopted. Now we're doing resolution 20 dash 26. If the clerk could please read the

You don't want me to do it?

Yeah. The resolution. Yeah. Read

it. What?

I mean, excuse me. Yeah. Well, yeah, the clerk should read it

after you.

So I wanna see you read it better. Go ahead.

A resolution of the city commission of the city of Delray Beach, Florida approving a conditional use to allow a twenty four hour business to operate at 3921 West Atlantic Avenue. As more particularly described herein pursuant to the land development relations of the code of ordinances and the comprehensive plan of the city of Delray Beach providing an effective date and further purposes. This is quasi judicial, mayor.

So that but but wait wait. This is a quasi judicial hearing. Let me read you all the quasi judicial rules. This hearing will be conducted in accordance with the quasi judicial rules. The applicant in the city shall be allowed fifteen minutes each to present their case.

The public shall be allowed to speak for three minutes each or a maximum of six minutes if the person represents an organization or a group of people who are present but agree not to speak. The city commission staff and the applicant may be allowed to cross examine a witness. The applicant or the city will be allowed to offer rebuttal testimony. The decision to approve or deny an application or appeal may not be legally made upon personal views as to whether a project is a good project or not, nor may a decision be based on the numbers of citizens who support or oppose a particular project. The law requires that the all decisions must be made on the basis of whether the project meets the requirements of law, the comprehensive plan, and the land development regulations. If there is anybody here wishing to speak on this subject, please rise and be sworn by the clerk.

By

the authority vested in me, as a notary of the state of Florida, do you swear or affirm that the testimony you're about to give is

the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the

truth? I do. Thank

you very much. If the if the staff could please enter the project file into the record.

Good evening. I'm Thea Junotis, development services director, and I'd like to enter file number PZ000234Dash2025 into the record.

Thank you very much. To the commission, any any ex parte communications? Commissioner Gassala?

Yes. I spoke to representatives from Delray Medical. I spoke to Lori Venacore. I spoke to Mitch Katz. I think that may be it.

Okay. Commissioner commissioner Burns?

Yes. I spoke with representatives of Delray Medical, representative of JFK Medical Center, the emails that are on the server, and I spoke to Deborah Tindrich.

Okay. Commissioner? I Malika.

Thank you. I spoke with representatives from Dore Medical Center. Also had a phone conversation with Lori Minicore, and I believe that's it.

Okay. Any commissioner?

Yes. I had a lot of meetings. Delray Medical JFK, and there are a bunch of emails that came in and back on on the server as well.