City Commission - Regular Meeting

I call this Pahokia City Commission of Tuesday, August 25th, 2026 to order at 6.01 p.m. May we please stand for the invocation provided by Vice Mayor McDonough, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Dear God, we thank you for allowing us another opportunity to assemble here in the chamber to conduct the business of the city. We pray right now that you give us guidance and understanding and that we be able to come together to reason regarding your business. We thank you for it. taking us throughout this day, God, as we travel to and fro. I thank you, God, for allowing me to be able to have this procedure that I had today with no problems today and all is well with it. And I thank you, Lord, that we are here, God, to

City Commission, having heard there are no additions or deletions to our agenda as presented, what is your pleasure?

Mayor Barber, I move that we accept the agenda as printed with the necessary corrections.

It has been moved by Vice Mayor McDonough and properly seconded by Commissioner Williams. Call for questions? Hearing none, are you ready for a vote? Roll call, Madam Clerk.

Yes. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Thank you, Commissioners. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Next, we have presentation, proclamation, public service announcement, public comments, agenda items only at this time. City Clerk, do we have any public service comments card completed? Thank you, ma'am. Now we'll move to our proclamations, and I'll have the city attorney read these into the record.

Thank you, City Attorney. These proclamations really don't need any explanation, but as a courtesy, I want to just allow our city manager to give us a brief explanation of this proclamation. This is short.

Thank you, City Manager. This uh honoree is here Miss Bertha Hunter and I would like for our city commission to come down as we present this proclamation to Miss Hunter and her family that's here.

to give him great privilege and pleasure to present his proclamation to one of our centennial patrons. 100 years, I worked at senior services for 38 years, and to have a residence reach 100 is so special. I would, at this time, allow our Commissioner, Ms. Kyle William, to officially present the certificate. They both belong to the same church, so. I hate to do it, but I want to do it. And I love the way you sit and present.

Mother Hannah, how are you doing today? Okay, Mother Hannah, on behalf of the city of Pahokee and its commission and the city manager and our city attorney, We want to say you look beautiful. A hundred years look good on you. We want to say that we love you. It's an honor for us to present this proclamation to you. We wish you many, many more years. You look like you're in good health. You're getting around good. And we hope to see you continuously around in the community. We want to say blessings, blessings, blessings, and congratulations on your 100 years from the city of Cahoga. If you woul

We have a double treat. We're blessed to have two centennials in our community and we'll be celebrating their 100 plus birthday. So at this time we have our city attorney read the second proclamation into record.

I understand Ms. Maddie Butler is not here with us today, but are there anyone in her family here to accept this proclamation? Okay. City Commission, if you would go and join me on the floor to present proclamation to Mrs. McPherson. as mayor of the great city of Oahoke and on behalf of the Oahoke City Commission, Commissioner Scott, Commissioner Williams, Commissioner, Vice Mayor McDonald, Commissioner McPherson, our city manager and our city attorney, along with our city clerk and our entire city staff, the entire community is give us great pleasure to be able to honor and recognize one of o

So we'll make sure we hardly go by there and stop by and say hello to them. And if you would, if you could say a few words on our hat, if you would.

I would be remiss if I did not say a few words regarding both these young ladies, I'm going to call them. I've known Ms. Hunter since first grade. Since me and Pee-wee was in first grade. And when my family first moved to Pahokee when I was four years old, the Butler family was our babysitter. And a couple of years ago, I want to say it was around 22 or 23, it might have been 24 even, the both of them fell on my mind and I just, I couldn't rest until I said I got to go see both of them. And so I made arrangements to visit with both of them. And Ms. Butler was just so glad to see me. She wanted

So I want to encourage everybody to, you know, you don't have to wait until somebody is,

spread out across the front of the church to go check on them. And so when I feel like it and my spirit leads me to do so, that's what I do. So I just thank Mayor Baird for allowing me to express those sentiments.

Thank you. And again, congratulations to both our centennial babies. Thank you so much for being a part of this community. We love you. Thank you. Next, we'll entertain our Consent agenda. The consent agenda consists of the August 11, 2026 city commission meeting minutes. I'll entertain a motion for the approval and adoption.

Mayor Babb, I move that we accept and approve the August 11, 2026 meeting minutes. Second.

It has been moved by Commissioner Cowles-Williams and properly seconded by Vice Mayor McDonough for the adoption of our consent agenda, which consists of the August 11, 2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes. Call for questions. Hearing none, are you ready for a vote? Roll call, Madam Clerk.

Yes. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Thank you, Commissioners. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Next, we'll have old business discussion of existing activities or previously held events, if any. City Manager. Yes.

Thank you, ma'am Next we'll move to public hearings and our ordinance, which is none Next we'll move to our resolution, which we have a total of six City attorney, would you please read the first resolution?

Thank you, City Attorney. City Manager, could you give us a brief explanation?

Website as accessibility standards and the technology continues to evolve Thank you city managers City Commission having heard resolution 2026 dash 47 properly read into the minutes by our city attorneys Properly explained by a city manager.

What is your preference a move that we accept resolution 2026 47

Are there a second house that can. It has been moved by a commission of Mike Pearson and property second back a mission away and the movement of resolution 2026 dash 47 call for questions. Yes, I have a few questions.

Okay, so this program that we're getting Is this the 7,100, is it for both items that it's doing on here for both of the resolution, or is this a separate price for each resolution?

Okay, and my next question is, so I'm reading on here where it says that I'm on page 18, 204, where it says that the total investment is $7,691, but the annual reoccurring services is $7,100. I'm trying to understand, how did the difference come? Because I see it was initial $9,635, and then it says total investment initial. It's $7,691.66. So is that going to be for this year? And then is it after the next year it's going to go down to $7,100? Do you want me to answer?

And so what if we decide not to go with them and we decide that we want to go with another company and we're leaving a balance at the end of the year?

Right. And so where it says, so we're going to automatically, it says automatic one-year renewal. So even if we're not satisfied with them or we see where some changes need to be made, we're going to write and put in the contract that we're going to still automatically renew them and be held to that because we're.

So my question was, in reviewing the initial memorandum, the date here is May 12th, 2026. And while I was reviewing the packet here, this is the first time I've heard of this particular vendor. but I understand that we have been doing business with them for some time, but it's already worded that we have accepted or we find that it's in the best interest of the city for us to go with them when we haven't had any discussion on it. And also, the other issue is that repeatedly we have asked for the contracts that we have so that we can review them and know how to move going forward with regards t

they got several different services that they're providing and It seems to me that The amounts are less than 10 grand which obviously don't need our approval But it's the contract so if we have contracts that then we should be aware of what those contracts are so that we can review and properly assess whether or not it's a decision that we want to make with regards to approving our relationship with them.

And so the reason why we're reviewing it now is because they are up for renewal.

When does the contract expire that we have now with them?

And so how much are we actually paying them now?

Okay, so but... If we have a contract with them, certainly we should be given the opportunity to approve that contract regardless of the dollar amount, correct?

So my last question is, so this contract, when it ends annually, it will not come to us because it's, again, for the next year because it says that it's automatically annually renewed, and then it says a 5% to be applied in year two. So that means for two years, this contract won't come before us because of what we put in the contract, so we won't see this contract annually.

So that's what we need to make sure we understand that that's what we're seeing, that they're not coming to us annually.

I'm just saying that I'm clarifying that all these contracts are not coming to us annually, that some of them are going to automatically renew because that's what we're putting in here to say that they are to renew and not come back before the commission, that we're automatically renewing them for two years.

Any additional questions? Hearing none, are you ready for a vote? Roll call, Madam Clerk.

Yes. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Thank you, Commissioners. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Senator Turner, would you read the next resolution?

Thank you, City Attorney. City Manager, can you give us a brief explanation?

thank you city manager city commissioners haven't heard resolution twenty twenty six dash forty eight properly read into the minutes by our city attorney properly explained by city manager what is your preference a move that we accept resolution twenty twenty six dash forty eight are there a second I'll second I have a question

it has been moved by commissioner Mike fearson and properly second by commissioner cow was Williams call for questions commissioner Williams yes I have a question okay so the city manager said that I guess I'm trying to understand maybe the clerk can explain how when it comes to the agendas how is we paying fifty three hundred dollars for the agendas how how so is this going to create the agenda type the notes because it says that it's going to be done in a timely and efficient manner so how is it that is going to this I'm just saying how is it going to get on there in a timely manner versus W

So you're saying we're going to pay $7,000 for the website, and you're saying this is going to be on a different website, we're paying a different fee to service this, or it's on the same website, but maybe I'm not understanding it.

so with this program is this program going to house documents as well like our records I guess because right now what I'm here and only thing this is going to do is put us in 88 compliance website and agendas and he says what's being presented before I know she said Munich owes but that's nowhere in these documents so so what I'm saying is

I don't know about her. But I think what I need to understand is how these documents being generated. Because if we have that website that's going to be doing so much, and I know with artificial intelligence, you know, there's the, you know, concern that possibly some people might be replaced, although that's not really true. But how these documents that we are utilizing to create the agenda being generated.

So since their contract is up for renewal, will we be able to have them to come and do a presentation?

So can we get them to come and do a presentation?

And I just have one question since she said with the proclamations. So with this new software, so if it's going to do all of this, because the attorney looks at the proclamations as well, right? I guess I'm trying to figure out.

Okay, so So is it gonna do anything with that as because I guess I'm trying to figure out where's the attorney gonna be in this if this software is doing all of this and this is in-house and Then we have the attorney who has to review all of this I guess I'm just trying to figure out how is all of this going to connect together so I can help you with that and

So how are the public records requests going to be handled with this going forward? Because we don't have that in place currently.

So those records that they could potentially request would need to be in a database somewhere so that they could be accessed, correct?

I guess I'm kind of trying to get at, you know, the records in the way they're currently maintained. Uh, are we going to be uploading those records prior to a request being made for them? So how are we just going to wait?

I'm trying to get at the level of proficiency. So if we have a bunch of files just stacked somewhere.

I believe so, because if you've got a stack of records somewhere and someone asks for a particular record, you can't possibly know what's in that stack of papers, I'm just going to say, because it's just piled up. And so how are you going to be able to find the record if there's no rhyme or reason to how they're being maintained?

I beg to differ. But anyways, we'll leave it at that.

Yes, ma'am. So I have one last question then. So when she's talking about these files and you have to get them from another department, so this system we're getting is supposed to organize it better. So then I guess my question is, how is i guess it's going to be some type of training that each department understands how to scan these records in and this is what they're naming these records because if just say for instance if i'm at hr or i'm just going to say parks and rec and someone wants copies of something and they scan them in and they got to go through you to get them, I mean, how are y

Okay, wait, I know the difference. So what I'm saying is right now if I request something from Parks and Rec., I request something from Parks and Rec. You don't have it. Parks and Rec has it. So you have to get it from Parks and Rec. Yes, ma'am. That is correct.

Okay, I appreciate that. So, Mayor Babbitt, I have a question. So can, I know we have a motion on the floor. So then can we, are we going to approve, I guess I have a question and a motion. Are we going to approve this prior to us approving this? Because I guess I'm kind of a little bit confused still. So are we going to move forward with voting on this or are we going, I guess we can vote it up or vote it down and then come back and to have them to come do a presentation so we can get a better understanding of exactly what it is that the program is going to provide and make sure that we're ge

Yeah, at this point we have a motion and a second, so we will be voting on it up or down. Okay. And then if there's anything that needs to be addressed afterward, we can look at that also. Okay.

Commissioner McPherson. One question is... These programs that we're looking at tonight, is it going to help us do our job more efficiently? Yes, sir. As far as the product that we're putting out, as well as I know we always have an issue with getting the agenda. Is this going to make us be more efficient in doing our job?

I have one last question, Mayor Babb. So looking at the contract on page 53, this is a concern of mine. It says the initial term was 31 to 227, 229, 28. So my question is, do we have a contract now so okay so it was from two so did it expire 229 or do we have a page um page 53 through the mayor In the box or in the...

And so we're going to renew it for two years up to... I guess 2030 to 2030.

Yes. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Thank you, Commissioners. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Next, we entertain the next resolution. Consider attorney.

Thank you, City Attorney. City Manager, could you give us a brief explanation?

Thank you, City Manager. City Commissioners, having heard Resolution 2026-49 properly read into the minutes by our City Attorney, properly explained by our City Manager, what is your pleasure?

I move that we accept Resolution 2026-49. Second.

It has been moved by Commissioner McPherson and properly seconded by Commissioner Scott. Call for questions.

So, as I requested just a short while ago, would they be able to come and do a presentation?

Are there any additional questions? Hearing none, are you ready for a vote? We'll call Madam Clerk.

Yes. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Thank you, Commissioners. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Next, we entertain the next resolution, Resolution 2026-450. City Attorney.

Thank you, city attorney. City manager, could you give us a brief explanation?

Thank you, City Manager. City Commissioners, having heard Resolution 2026-50 properly read into the minutes by a city attorney, properly explained by a city manager, what is your preference?

I move that we accept Resolution 2026-50. Second.

It has been moved by Commissioner McPherson and properly seconded by Commissioner Scott. Call for questions.

I have a question. So is this saying that in our budget for the new year, we need to put money in for code enforcement? Because in case, because I don't ever remember us having to do this, in case the CPTG grant is not available. So we're saying now we've got to go back in our budget and put code enforcement. And if so, is it for the $45,486?

Right, they don't have the money that we, Pay the salary. That's what I'm asking. That's what it's saying, right?

And so we have to go, that's what I'm saying, that's my question. So we need to go back and put this in our budget.

If they don't get the funding and we have a code enforcer, my question is, then it's saying that that needs to come out of our budget at some point. That's the question that I'm asking.

You mean for this particular resolution?

Hearing no additional questions, are you ready for a vote? Roll call, Madam Clerk.

Yes. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Thank you, Commissioners. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Our last and final resolution would be Resolution 2026-52, City Attorney.

Thank you, City Attorney. City Manager, could you give us a brief explanation?

Thank you, city manager. City commissioners, having heard resolution 2026-51 properly read into the minutes by our city attorney, properly explained by our city manager, what is your preference?

I move that we accept Resolution 2026-51 as printed.

Are there a second? Second. It has been moved by Vice Mayor McDonough and properly seconded by Commissioner McPherson for the adoption of Resolution 2026-51. Call for questions. Hearing none, are you ready for a vote? Roll call, Madam Clerk.

Yes. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Thank you, Commissioners. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Our last and final resolution would be Resolution 2026-52. See the attorneys.

Thank you, city attorney, city manager. Could you give us a brief explanation?

Thank you, City Manager. City Commissioners, having heard Resolution 2026-52 properly read into the minutes by our City Attorney, properly explained by our City Manager, what is your preference?

Second. It has been moved by Commissioner Scott and properly seconded by Commissioner Mike Pearson for the adoption of resolution 2026-52. Call for questions.

I just have one correction on page 122 where it says to see the interim manager. It should be manager. So just make sure we should put a strike to that.

So regarding this pool of individuals that we're assembling, are they going to be properly vetted to ensure that they are licensed and insured? Obviously, there is a need for this so that we don't run into similar issues as we have in the past. I'm asking that question so that it could definitely be included in the record as it should be a given, but just so that we get it on the record.

I did find an error earlier, but I'll just point it out to the clerk afterwards.

We have to make the change on the record. Let me find it here. It's only a small word, but it's the Arab seal. It was somewhere where we were saying, therefore be it resolved, the word it was left out. Yeah, it's in one of the resolutions. I marked it too, but I got my stuff out, scrambled up there.

It's at the top of the page too. Oh, it's not at the top of the page, it's at the bottom of page 106.

Are there any additional questions? Hearing none, are you ready for a vote? Roll call, Madam Clerk.

Yes. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Thank you, Commissioners. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Next, we'll have the new business presentation by the city manager of activity, the upcoming events, if any. She had two listed here, and I have her introduce everything.

Thank you. Next is the report of the mayor, and I'll be brief. Just last week we had a GTAC meeting. Lisa County sponsored that and helped that. It rotated between the cities of Belle Glade, Pahokee and South Bay on a monthly basis. The meeting was well attended. I think we talked about the legislative issues that was coming up, particularly the one on amendment three the taxes everyone want to get a tax breaks I know I do but the importance of that is to really look at the impact it would have on cities can't tell you how to vote or how you should vote but it's important that If it passed, we

100 years old and staying this entire meeting. We thank you so much for that. I also would like to thank... Mrs. Maddie Butler for reaching 101 years old we want to try to get by the all-timers at least try to say hello to her and congratulate her personally if we get the opportunity we want to be able to do that and we'll be having the storm of 1928 celebration we have it every year at Port Miyake and that will be coming up in the month of September that particular event we also want you to dress comfortable if you so choose because what we'll be doing is doing a clean up also you have a lot

Would you just note the date for us? I didn't mention the date. Oh, okay, yes.

When is the next meeting? I would just say do it.

There was some other items that we had questions about that you needed to provide. So will they be provided at the workshop or?

How far in advance? Because I'm thinking maybe we can do it at 5 o'clock. If not, we may have to do it earlier. I know you want to prepare for the next meeting.

I think that Tuesday, I know they have a... Parks and Recreation meeting there Tuesday.

Whatever date we decide on, I'm just gonna try to be there if I can. I might be out of town due to a death in my family.

And I know I can't do the 9th, because I have a doctor's appointment at 4.30.

Oh, before the 8th. I'm sorry, that Parks and Rec meeting is on the 7th, I'm sorry. Okay. Yeah, it's on the 7th.

Wednesday September 2nd and what time is best for you 6 o'clock our regular time or 4 o'clock maybe 5 September 2nd

Thank you, ma'am. Next, we have the report of the seat attorney, if any.

Thank you so much. now we have moved to the future agenda items of the commissioners if any yes I'm sorry yes I start with Commissioner Mike Pearson and work myself to the left to the right

Just for future agenda items, I think we need to start looking at our legislative priorities. So we're going to go ahead and start trying to put things in place now and we can have future discussions on it. So we can start working for our next upcoming legislative session. And I don't know if that will happen to the next meeting or not.

So we can all come together and just agree upon that before we all be on the same page when we submit everything. Do you have a motion?

Can we get a second on that just to add? Second.

is moved to second all in favor well question first and the questions no questions all in favor roll call Madam Clerk Commissioner McPherson yes Commissioner Cowan-Williams yes Commissioner Scott yes Vice Mayor McDonald yes Mayor Babb yes And one of the items at the last meeting, I mentioned some of the items I thought should be at least addressed on the capital improvement project. One I failed to mention was the swimming pool complex. And I know that at least we consider looking at that. maybe having the county even uh take the lead in it if they would i know when commissioner mckinley was h

priorities or that's just what is that say it is so it could be added as part of that yeah it could be in that discussion but I won't let at least have that discussion of just working toward it right in like all other they we a would need to have a second to it in move it forward for lease put it on the agenda at some point second okay in a questions roll call that a clerk I'm sorry who was the second I heard to who said it first of me about yes commissioner Pearson yes commissioner Calvin Williams yes commissioner Scott yes vice mayor McDonald yes Commissioner, Vice Mayor McDonough.

So just, I know we are still in the process of making sure that we get our budget where we need it. And one of the questions that I asked, and just to make sure that we do have it on there, is that we be provided the coverages that the football application fee cover. whatever was included in that fee what what does it cover for the students or the kids that are participating in that program. So I mean it's already been acts so I just it just as a reminder. The second thing I would ask for is there. Are we able to provide an overview of the collections. Since we have gone cashless In comparison

So we can do that as a future agenda item. Yes.

As known, we'll just take a quick vote on this. Is there a second? Second. We'll move to second. Call for questions. Hearing none, I'll call Madam Clerk.

And lastly, I don't know if I'm premature in saying this, but August is Black Business Month. And it's how many more days? I think like six or seven more days left in the month. And we haven't done anything to recognize and support our black businesses. So I don't know if we can still.

Okay. So there will be no event this year?

I don't know if this is a future agenda item or maybe it's something that can be taken care of. But I just want to follow up. I know we had Ms. Everett. She came in here to two meetings in regards to she applied for opera funding, and she never heard anything from anyone. So I just want to know if someone can follow up with her and pull her application to see what took place with her opera funding or what's going on with it, at least follow up with her to see... know opera is closed out but at least to at least get back with her to let her know what took place or what happened or and if she's

Could we have an update at the next commission meeting on the forensic audit of the candidate companies that's interested in doing it? How many do we have to apply for to do the service?

Next, we'll have general public comments. And it doesn't have to be an agenda item, but you need to have had a public comment card completed. City Clerk, at this time, do we have any public service comments card completed? Thank you, ma'am. makes we have commissioners comments for the good of their order and I start this time with for commissioners Scott working itself back I just like to thank everyone for coming out and I really like to thank Mr.

Weeks glad to know you I've never seen you before that's a laugh

I just want to say good evening to everyone thank everyone for coming out those that are listening the residents that are listening just again want to say thank you all for continuing to work with us being patient with us as we continue to work together Seems like it's slow, but we're coming together. We're bringing our city together. I also want to send out condolences to everyone who has lost loved ones because we've had a couple of, you know, a few deaths. Pastor McIntosh, who's the pastor of Harvest ANME, she lost her mom. I want to send my condolences. to her and her family as well as Pas

it's always a pleasure to be in the service for our citizens I'm forever grateful for having this opportunity to be a part of this commission here And like Commissioner Cowan-Williams said, we don't always agree, but we can certainly agree to disagree. And so what I do want to point out is at the last meeting, I was trying to get the civility pledge implemented, and I was voted down, and I'm okay with that. But at the conference a couple of weeks ago, On three different occasions, including the president of our legal cities here, not in Florida, the national legal cities president, three diffe

And again, I'll just echo, congratulations again, Ms. Hunter, we love you, 100 years old. Thank you so much, you and Ms. Butler, our centennial babies. We also just want to remind everyone, Laura is spearheading a feasibility study concerning the hotel development in the Glades along with some other business development activity. I know that three mayors will be interviewed along with others in the community to try to gauge what's needed in our community. But the hotel has certainly been one of my top priorities for a couple years, and I hope and pray that at some point we're able to get a hot

Yes, again, I just want to congratulate and thank Ms. Butler and Ms. Hunter and many more blessings to you. Just a public service announcement. On Saturday, September the 5th, we're going to have the Parks and Recreation Board along with the city staff, and I want to commend them for working hard diligently on trying to get this project on the way. The Parks and Recreation Board as well as the city manager and our clerk have been working with us diligently. But there's going to be an event on September the 5th. If the IT manager, if you could pull up the brochure for me, please. There's going

thank you thank you commissioner I just have maybe I can ask one question just to make sure that we could keep in mind remember annually all our kids that made fives this is around the time that we normally have the gathering for you know the celebration for them so if we can kind of like keep that in mind I'll talk with the manager and I'll start gathering all the information kind of like to speed up the process to make sure that we don't forget that this year as well because we said we want to make that an annual event when we did when we started it so I'll start getting all of the informati

bike table like that if you'd like to take one city commissioners haven't had all business that brought before us taken care of i would entertain a motion for the adjournment of this meeting second who made the motion who made that motion that was so fast on that the vice mayor Mcdonald who did the seconds McPherson call for questions hearing none ready for a vote roll call Madam Clerk Vice Mayor Mcdonald yes Commissioner McPherson yes Commissioner Cowan Williams yes Commissioner Scott

Yes. Thank you. Meeting adjourned at 7.59 p.m. Anonymous vote.

Got a lot did tonight. I think we did anyway.