City Commission - Regular Meeting

I call this city commission of the city of Hoki, Tuesday, February the 10th, 2026 to order at 6:01 p.m. May we please stand for the invitation provided by Commission to Commissioner Mike Pearson, followed by the pledge of allegiance. Dear heavenly and gracious Father, we come to you with humble hearts and bow our heads, Father, thanking you for another opportunity to come into your presence, Father. Father, we ask that you just touch our minds, our bodies, and our souls, Father. Father, as we get ready to carry on the business of this city, Father, Father, let everything that's done here tonight that be done decent and in order, Father, we ask that your spirit would manifest itself, Father. whatever decisions are made or what that that you will be pleased with the decisions, Father. Father, if we commit this city, our city workers, our employees, our commissioners, and all of our staff into your hand, Father, that whatever we do that it will be all to your honor, to your glory, Father, we just thank you. We be so careful to give you all the praise in Jesus name. Amen.

Amen. I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Roll call. Madame clerk. Mayor Bab. Present. Vice Mayor Calvin Williams. Present. Commissioner McDonald. President. Commissioner McFerson present. Commissioner Scott present. Interim city manager present. City attorney. City clerk is present.

Thank you city clerk. Thank you staff. Thank you commissioners and most importantly thank our audience for being here today to participate and witness our declaration of our city commission meeting. At this time before we move forward, I'll entertain a motion to allow uh Commissioner McDonald to participate by telephone. Mayor Fab, I move that we allow Commissioner McDonald to um attend the meeting via phone.

Second. It has been moved by Vice Mayor Williams and properly second by Commissioner Scott to allow uh Commissioner Mike Donna to participate by telephone call for question hearing none. Are you ready for a vote? Roll call. Madame Clerk. Vice Mayor Calvin Williams. Yes. Commissioner Scott? Yes. Commissioner McDonald? Yes. Commissioner McFerson? Yes. Mayor Bab?

Yes. Thank you madam clerk. Thank you commissioners. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Next on agenda the additions on emergency basis uh by the city manager if there are any? No. Are there any uh deletions? No sir. Thank you. City commission have heard there are no additions to the agenda. No deletion. I entertain a motion for the approval of the agenda as presented. Madame Bab, I move that I mean Mayor Bab, I move that we accept the agenda as printed. Second.

It has been moved by Vice Mayor Williams and properly second by Commissioner Scott to approve the agenda as presented. Call for questions. Hearing none, are you ready for a vote? Roll call. Madame Clerk. Vice Mayor Calvin Williams. Yes. Commissioner Scott? Yes. Commissioner McDonald. Commissioner McDonald. Yes. Commissioner McFersonson. Yes. Mayor B.

Yes. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Thank you, commissioners. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Now we move to presentation, proclamation, public service announcement, public comments, agenda items only. And I'll allow the city manager to introduce those who are presenting today.

Okay. Good evening. Our first presenter, Mr. Beasley. He informed that he could not be here tonight because if he's not feeling well. So, our next presenter will be Miss Linder Johnson Ersley from the principal of Everglades Preparatory Academy. Okay, Miss Johnson's going to do a presentation. She had You can see it there. She's going to do a presentation in reference to Everglow's Preparatory Academy.

The information for [clears throat] each commissioner. First of all, excuse me. Thank you. First of all, I want to thank the mayor, vice mayor, commissioners, and always uh the community and any other dignitaries that I may be missing at this time. I come before you as the principal at Everglaze Preparatory Academy, which is an 8th through 12th public charter school. I'm coming before the commissions tonight regarding additional space proposal for the purpose of facility expansion for education, community use, and emergency preparedness. The purpose of this request is for Everglaze Prep to utilize additional city-owned space through partnership. Expand the instructional classrooms for academics and CTE programs. Create a multi-purpose space for school and the community activities. Increase storage for educational and operational needs. and provide a designated emergency shelter capacity facility. The community benefits for this expanded access to career and technical education to increase the workforce readiness and job skills development [clears throat] to provide a safe structure after school environment for youth. a space for community meetings, programs, and events, and also additional hurricane and disaster shelter space.

The benefits to the city of Poki by this request is to maximize use of an existing municipal property, create dualpurpose education and emergency facilities, strengthening the city and school partnership, support local economic development initiative, enhance the city image as education focused and community centered facility consideration and solutions. We would like to uh at that time regarding the solutions is for utilities and maintenance shared cost agreement for granting funding scheduling and shared access clearly defined use policies security after hours controlled assets and security plans. the facility readiness phase implementation approach. The long-term impact of this request, higher graduation and certification rates, stronger skilled local workforce, improve emergency preparedness capacity, sustainable city and school partnership, positive outcome for youth, families, and employers. I know first of all the location and I need to go back just a minute please. Uh I had an opportunity to meet with the interim city manager and the parks and wreck directors regarding uh facilities or an expansion. The location that we visited and was

discussing was the gymnasium, the first floor, the area where they used to have the work, the weight room. This area has not been fully utilized since 20 uh 2011, almost 15 years. With that being said, this is an opportunity for Everglaze Prep as your tenant to be able to go in and partner with you to renovate and be able to make this facility one that will benefit both of us and the community. At this point, this is just a proposal, but this is a proposal that I am coming before the commissioners because I need you to know we already received the state funds for the CTE programs and that's the robotics and AI and nursing. We received over $100,000 for the necessary equipment. And I'm going to tell you, I had the interim city manager to come over and we utilized well actually looked at the space that we have. We do not have enough space to be able to facilitate this. But my board chair, Emmeilia Funhul, has made it her mission to make sure, and let me just pause one second. I have two board members here with me tonight, Vivian White and Miss Angela Pope. Uh we yes they have been on the board for as long as I've been at the school which mean they're invested in the community. They're invested in the school and they're invested in what we at this time can do to truly partner and help both of us save and add to the city and that is with a workforce that we can have with our children starting now with

these programs. We're not talking about something that is that we're hoping for. We're talking about something that is here. The funding was received in November uh from the state for that equipment. Also, the Palm Beach County School District amended our we requested to amend our charter to include these CTE programs and that was signed in [snorts] December. With that being said, because of the size, it was brought to my attention, where are we going to go? You have outgrown Poki. No, we have not. No, we have not. No, we have not. that space. We have the vision to build it up so it can be everything that you want it to be as well as an educational engine. We our school actually received the AI and the robotics uh amendments and we started already before anyone in South Florida. We're the first one with the AI program. It's one in Central Florida, but we're the first one right here in the city of Pokei. So I'm asking tonight for you commissioners, vice mayor, mayor to please if we can have the conversation to begin and that's with our attorneys or whomever the leadership you wish to be to go ahead and start this process because we want this completed by August.

Now I'm going tell you something. Uh, I think Miss Bines, could you get that poster right there?

I need you all to know some summers ago, it may have been uh, [clears throat] Mayor Babs after CO, we had, you know, it was a lot of idle time and I said, "Look, we need to upgrade all of our classrooms for our students." This is one of the classroom. This is our science lab. This science lab upgrade for our kids was about $100,000. That was completed in a summer. I'm saying by five weeks. The plans, all of that, the city worked with us. Mayor Babs, you were here and and expedited the permits. We did everything we had to do. And those kids August, they were in that classroom. So, I'm telling you now, my hands are tied because I just need the okay, we can work it out logistically as to what we need to do and to be able to move forward with this so we can provide this for our kids and the community. And right now with the individuals who are there, they're ready to do the renovating. You own the property. It's an asset. We're your tenant. just give us the okay and let's go through the proper channels and whatever we need to do legally to be able to proceed. August is the deadline to have this open. If not, I would have to turn the money back in to the state because I don't have a facility or I would have to relocate. And basically, that's the situation. I know I don't want my board members to say anything, but they're here. And if it was anything outside of what I'm saying, I'm quite sure, you know, I would not say it at that point. [snorts] I need you all to know I love the city. We love the city of Pokei. We want to be here and that is why I'm coming before

you tonight. So, whatever we can do at this point, commissioners, mayor, vice mayor, please, let's be able to proceed. We're ready. And uh Miss Binds, could you give everyone one of the folders there? In the in that the presentation I just uh presented, I have a copy in there for you, the PowerPoint itself. I also have a copy of our brochure which you have here. And inside at the very bottom, it says all the CTE programs that we have. These are the ones I'm talking about. the robotics, the uh nursing assistance, the uh AI. So, we're talking about a lot of technology and space that we can build out in that space and parks and recck still could have what they need. And then we still could be able to have it built out where you could have the emergency facility that you would need like any other school who partner with the cities, Pokia High School, Glaz, and other schools. They partner with the schools and they utilize the facility. So with that being said, I just say the next step is is really up to the city of Pokei. If you all could really just take in consideration the timeline and I know you know after I leave this meeting, I'm going to have to report to our our board chair of individuals regarding just the outcome because they are ready to go. Their foot is on the gas. Okay. Thank you. Any questions of me?

Yes. What particular space are you uh uh looking to renovate the gym? The lower floor. The first floor used to be the wait room area. It's the bottom. Okay. And and it had not been utilized what since 2011. Something of that nature. Okay. I will mention that our legislated priority this year was to hardening that for a storm shelter. Yes. So hopefully that can work in conjunction to whatever you're proposing uh to do. We may can even transfer the dollars if we're successful maybe to have bleaches in there. I'm not sure if that's going to be possible, but we can look at those type of

and and all of that even at that point like we partnered before in the past uh Mayor Babs with the uh hardening dollars that you have for the AC that unit. Anything that we can do, this is a partnership. We're not separate and apart. We're one. We're one. So, we're here to support the city and whatever we need to do. And I need you to know every all of your and I know that uh the interim city manager went up to Tallahassee requesting dollars for the uh a hurricane relief uh shelter. If we're able to go in and do the development, we have that already. That's part of it. So that would all be taken in consideration because with the the construction of it, everything need to be able to accommodate what is required of the specs for that development under there, the windows, the doors, and so forth to make sure that it meets those standards for uh hurricane relief. Okay? Or any disaster, not just hurricanes. Any additional questions? And I don't want to put it I don't want to put a whole lot of pressure on anyone regarding this, but please if someone could let me know something this week, even if it's for me to just contact our attorney to call your attorney and you all work out the logistics, okay? And I need you to know on March the 2nd, I think I may have told it to the interim city manager, there will be individuals who are investors who are coming out and they're going to be coming around for the purpose of guess what? I'm telling the great things that's happening in Pokei.

I want you to come here on March the second and I want the unified front to be there. I want all the the mayor, vice mayor, I want everybody to be welcome them. We're going to bring out all the bells and whistles and we may not have it fully developed, but guess what? We can easily put a red carpet out there and some and and a ribbon and I can get some big scissors and we can do the cutting of it and let's go. Let's move. And I just wanted you all to know this is how fast we can do this if I have the okay to move forward. Thank you. [applause]

Thank you, Miss Ursley. Miss Ursley, while you're taking your seat, I think you told me this earlier, but I have a question for you. Um, what is the possible cost for the city? Zero to none. If we go and be able to utilize the space for that, we're developing it all. Okay. very minimum. Very minimum. Okay.

And if the city needs to use that space, how would that the logistics of that work out from time to time? Glad you asked. Guess what? We we do the same for the cafeteria. It's it's a a verbal where when anytime you all have to use the cafeteria, we make arrangements so you can utilize that facility. We have been doing it for years. And now I need you to know this, too. We've been doing it for years and we've been upkeeping it for years, too. Because that's the commitment we have to the city of Pokei. Okay. That's our commitment. Any more questions?

I have one. Miss Ursley, do you have anything that you can forward to our attorney so it can start being reviewed? Yes, ma'am. Okay. Is that in the form of a motion or vote or something from I don't want to put you on the spot. You and the mayor. I think we have to put it on the agenda to I think do we have to put it as a attorney? Do we have to put it as a future agenda item or we put it at a future agenda item? Okay. And when is your next meeting? The 24th. The 24th of this month. Yes. Oh, okay. God is good. I think what would help too that you all prepare a

proposal contract or whatever you want to call it, whatever the proper language, so it can be put on the agenda for consideration. So, what I need to do, and let me make sure we I'm understanding this. In order for me to approach the at the legal folks here, I need to be able to have something uh from the attorney stating that the uh in the form of minutes maybe that the commissioners uh stated that for the next meeting, you'll put it on the agenda so they'll know what to prepare. Yes, we'll have it on the agenda. Oh, I'm sorry. I'm not sure who to look at, but you know that red suit just got me. I'm just trying to go which [laughter] way. Okay.

Yes, they'll vote later in this meeting to make it a future agenda. Okay. And then at that point then I can just um wait for the minutes or how would I be able to do that to approach them tomorrow? What have you? You'll have to wait for the draft minutes, but they won't be official until it's approved by the commission. So, you can get some draft minutes. And when will you have the draft minutes? Um, you can come probably Friday or Monday. Okay. Okay. Monday. A Friday or Monday. Okay. No problem. I appreciate it. Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you so much. [applause]

And next on the presentation, we'll have the entrance city manager introduce staff and department head updates. Okay. Thank you, mayor. For the sake of time, I'm going to call the department heads and I just want you to stand where you are, please. And with us tonight, mayor, we have our community economic development director, Miss Peggy Boule Washington. Our planning and zoning director, Miss Noami Blanco, our human resources director, Miss Raquel Prince. Good evening.

Our public works assistant director, Mr. Paul Buckton. He stepped out. And our director, Mr. Alvin Johnson, for the record, he's currently in the hospital. So, just pray for him. Mr. Grant Williams, parks and recreation,

next door. [clears throat] Okay. Miss Kamisha Driver, our strategic planner. and Miss T.J. Jefferson, we can't say the first name. Uh she's the executive assistance to the city manager, interim city manager. And those are the department heads that we have with us tonight. And that's all. [applause] At this time, city clerk, do we have any public service cards uh completed by residents?

Not for this section, sir. Yes, you do. For agenda items only. Okay. So, you check Okay. So, you check both uh boxes. Yeah. Okay. Well, go ahead, sir.

[laughter]

2638 gate to drive east green acres. The agenda item I'm speaking on is I ain't got my glasses, but I just about know where it's at. It's number six. Can you read that for me, mayor?

I don't have my glasses now. I ain't got my glasses. It said discussion and direction for a workshop to discuss the process of hiring a city manager and to review the applications. I want to know when the last time y'all did that. I ain't said the first time. When the last time y'all did that, Kee, you've been up here 30 something years. I know you never seen that happen. I know it ain't never happened. Now all of a sudden, we get the 2026 and this this kind of junk go on. I sat here in the audience and watch y'all fire Mr. Thompson and how Lucas out the audience. I sat here and watch y'all five Brandenburgg and how Miss Weeks at the audience. I done sat here and watched all of this junk go on with you in charge in the last three or four years. You've been in charge of all of this what went on and then now we get to we hire city manager. I don't watch y'all hire Michael Jackson and y'all didn't go back and interview not one soul. I watch y I watch y'all hire Greg Thompson. Y'all didn't go back and interview one soul. I watch y'all hire Lucas, you didn't go back and interview one soul. I watch y'all hire Chandler and you didn't go back and interview one soul. Now all of a sudden y'all got to interview some people. Y'all got to go over some applications. Michael Jackson beat the people out what he beat out. Did y'all go back and say, "Well, Michael Jackson, you got to go back interview. Y'all hired him as an intern and they always was hired as a city manager." Not one. You can name me that

y'all didn't. Not one because all the people with our name, y'all got them out the audience. When y'all was bad mering and bowling, y'all did some stuff that nobody can believe. But I sat here tonight and I'm asking y'all since y'all been around. I know. Can I ask y'all personally, have you ever seen this happen? No. Have you ever seen this happen? Have you ever seen this happen? Have you ever seen this happen? No, it it didn't happen because we didn't have a resolution in place. that resolution was placed and okay, okay, a resolution in place all of a sudden.

Now we got we got names that just come up out of nowhere that wasn't even in the application. But let me tell you another thing. I don't care who y'all got the interview tonight. They are not more qualified than she is. Know why? Cuz she been a city manager for four months. They ain't been one four minutes. So, HOW THEY GOING TO OUTQUALIFY HER WHEN Y'ALL TALKING ABOUT Y'ALL going to interview somebody and y'all going to pick the one who's most qualified? Who is more qualified than her that y'all got on that application?

I bet you y'all can't name them. That's what I come here for the general comment cuz I see y'all going to try to hood one this whole community with some bull that that people shouldn't even be going for right now. Oh, here the here's the resolution. We done did this somewhere. You can pull up 20 resolutions, but tell me why it's so important now after the process of what y'all been going through and the going through. It's still a bunch of junk. Y'all know I ain't finished. Mayor, could I may I address some? We're going to allow the public to ever have their comment cards and that was at some time hopefully you can at least address some of the things you're concerned. That was the only comment for this particular section. Huh?

That was the only comment. What was that? What was that? I didn't hear that. Commissioner Mike Fearson wanted to know could he address your comments. I was telling him this was a part for the general public to make your comments. But it was pertaining to the to the agenda. It was pertaining to the agenda. Why he can't answer when I'm pertaining to the agenda? He should be able to answer. Now go on. You need to read the editor. I done told y'all y'all need to read some of that. What Robert Roso Ed say about that particular company. You read it. You read it. That's for you to wonder all that. What do do I know or do you know? Okay.

I give you the privilege of addressing some comments if you like.

Yes. For the very reason that you stated that wasn't happening in the past. When I became a commissioner, one of the things that I did not like that that we were not interviewing people and I made the resolution to to do that. And if if if I make the resolution to do that and that we're going to follow the resolution that we put rules in place, there's no need to put rules in place if we're not going to adhere to them. That's not saying who I'm going to choose or who any of us going to choose. But we have a policy that we need to follow and we need to make some changes in this city and that's where we need to start at and all of us are responsible for the rules and the regulations of this city. I'm I'm not saying that I know everything but we have a responsibility to follow the rules.

Okay. Can I go back now? Can I answer back? No sir. We're moving on to Why I can't answer back. That's about what's on the agenda, Keith. Okay. Next is our consent agenda. Consent agenda consists of the January 22nd, 2026 city commission meeting minutes. I'll entertain a motion for the adoption that's pledged by the commission. [clears throat] Mayor Bab, I move that we accept the um January 27th minutes.

Second. It has been moved by Vice Mayor Williams and properly second by Commissioner Scott for the adoption of the agenda consisting of the January 22nd, 2026 city commission meeting minutes. Call for questions hearing none. Are you ready for a vote? Roll call. Madame clerk. Vice Mayor Calvin Williams. Yes. Commissioner Scott? Yes. Commissioner McDonald? Yes. Commissioner McFerson? Yes, Mayor Bab.

Yes. Thank you, Madame Clerk. Thank you, commissioners. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Next, we have old business. Discussion of existing activities of previously held events, if any. City manager.

Yes, Mayor. Um, the one old business that I have is something that we recently did. Um on February the 5th, myself and our staff and uh planning and zoning staff members, we met with Palm Beach County planning and zoning contractors, our co- compliance for Palm Beach County. Um they came out to share with us information from the Palm Beach County st view of permitting and inspections that should be going on in Pokei and anywhere in Palm Beach County. So we had a meeting with them. They shared information which was very very informative and we're going to plan a town meeting. they want to come back to do a community meeting for our residents is what I requested that they come out and share that with our community because as we know people out there they're not licensed they're running businesses they're not getting the right inspections and the right permits. So we had them to come out. We met with them um and so we asked them to come out and do a community um training for us for our community. So what we're going to do is we'll put the notice out. We'll let the community know that we want them to come out. uh we'll meet the cafeteria wherever is convenient with the entire town coming out so that way we can train our residents and this is important to me because it goes in line with the uh calls that we're getting and the concerns and the one is the ARPA funds. We have residents who receive funds but didn't get the service. And so we're looking at them having dealt with unlicensed contractors, people coming in with no permits, taking the funds from the residents, not doing the work, and nothing's been done. And I've asked about it and I was told it's a county issue. It's not for us to get involved. But those are our residents and most of them are seniors. So, I'm just looking for guidance on how we can help those residents, give them some type of guidance. So, we're going to invite them out to the seminar or the workshop that

we're going to have with these uh planning and zoning officials from Palm Beach County. And I just want to give you all heads up and once the date is set, we'll let everyone know. Thank you. And so, that's the only thing that I have under old [clears throat] business. Okay. We don't have any public hearings or ordinances. We don't have any resolutions. Now we're on the new business presentation by the city managers of activities of upcoming events if any and several are listed here. City manager.

Okay. Um yes, under our new business is as we said before, but the date was changed on February the 15th. We're going to have the Crimestoppers bike ride and they're going to start from the acreage park and they're going to come to Pokei to the marina and they're going to estimate about 10:30 getting here. They're asking for our citizens to come wave by or wave high. They can't stay because they're, you know, doing the 100 mile bike ride. So, it's going to be about 300 participants. We're going to have refreshments provided by Miss Regina Bolan. And then we're going to do the porta pali. So, if they need to use a restroom, they'll have a stop. Um, they've also um promoted our gas stations in case they need uh gas for the motorcycles, but they'll be riding by uh Crimes Stoppers, and they just want us to know and to come out around 10:30 to, you know, let them know we appreciate them coming by and possibly bringing some revenue by using our gas stations and, you know, in the marina for a minute. So, that's one of them. And then the other one is our black history program. I think on the agenda it says February 21st. It's going to be February 22nd at 3 PM. We're going to have it at the gymnasium. We're going to have it set up with tables so that the community can come out and eat. We're going to have music and then what we're going to do um we're going to have a regular program and we're looking for participants. We're looking for honores. So if you have anything that you want to share, uh please call city hall and then you can ask for the extension of the city interim city manager so we can get you on the program and get information from you all. We are going to ask the officials to come out and assist with this. And once the event is over as far as the program, we're going to turn into a movie night. Uh, we have someone who's volunteered to put up a big screen. A family oriented movie is what I've asked them to do just to do something else with our community. That's a little different. We have black history

programs all the time. We're going to make it more community oriented. So, we'll be putting out more information about that. And then we have our I love I love Pokei Day coming up April 4th. Staff uh community economic development, the executive assistant, they're the ones preparing the the special events. So, that's going to be April 4th. They'll be putting out more information on that as well. And um those are the items that I have under new business. And we'll quickly move into the court of the mayor just to kind of briefly elaborate or at least answer some of uh this love concern

uh concern in the city. I'm sorry. you have um other items under new business items. Okay. So those are the announcements I had mayor. The next one is the well the direct the discussion of the UNCF will not happen because the gentleman's not here. So now you have the discussion and direction for a workshop to determine the criteria for the business of the month. [clears throat] So, I think what you all are looking for to do, this is your idea, mayor. Um, are you looking to set a workshop to

Actually, that was uh Commissioner McDonald's idea. Uh, I didn't think this was really needed to have an outline of criteria, but they felt that way. so she can take the floor and kind of give an idea of some of the criteria she feel should be listed or proud to uh appoint the business of the month.

Commissioner McDonald, you have the floor if you would like to speak on this item. So, are you saying because I said we needed to have a criteria for selection that I need to spearhead the um standards that we're going to have in place for selecting the business? Not so much spearhead, just lead the conversation about what some of the criteria you felt was needed. But everyone should uh hopefully turn it turn in on the conversation. But this was your Okay. So, I we need to just schedule a time for the workshop. Um, is what I'm getting for this item that's listed on the agenda.

So, if she's looking to schedule a workshop, do you all want a special meeting or you want a a hour before the regular commission meeting or how do you suggest? It have to be a future agenda item. We can put it on there, but we have to have a a workshop. Um, we probably have to have determine a time on the workshop, but we can have a in-depth.

Well, this was part of the future general item, place it on there, so we can come up with a date. I would suggest because Tuesday is normally off Tuesday, we do meet on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. Let's do the uh R Tuesday when we don't have a meeting. So, the following Tuesday, if that's fine with everybody, maybe we can have the workshop at 6:00 here at the chamber to uh propose and discuss criteria for having a business of the month. That's the 17th.

That's February the 17th. So, my recommendation would to have would be to have a workshop on f uh Tuesday, February the 17 at 6:00 here in the chamber to work on our criterias for having a business of the month. You need a second. You need a motion. I'll put it as a motion if you'd like to. I'll second. What was the date, Mayor? It was February 17th. So, next Tuesday at 6

at 6 p.m. Okay. Um, [cough] [clears throat] what would be what would be the reason why we can't schedule it for the next scheduled meeting on that date rather than have another meeting on a to tie up another Tuesday? I'm I'm just asking

that's that's fine with me. I have no problem with uh doing it on the same uh meeting date as the regular meeting. Say an hour or two prior to that, say 5:00 or 4:00, whatever time you all feel would be necessary to have enough information to create a criteria for business of the month. I don't think it's going to be that indepth, but uh that's just my opinion on it. So I I would agree with having it during a uh regular commission meeting before regular commission meeting if that's an agreement with everyone. That's on the 24th. Mhm.

So that would be uh the 24th of this one at let's say you want to do an hour or two hour an hour at 5:00 on the 24th here at the chamber to discuss the criteria for business of the month. So, we have a motion and a second uh a motion that we schedule the workshop uh hour before our next meeting for a um business of the month criteria.

A second. It has been moved by Commissioner Mike Fearson and properly second by Vice Mayor Williams that we have a workshop for next commission meeting which is the 24th at 5 p.m. prior to our regular commission meeting. Call for questions hearing none. Are you ready for a vote? Roll call. Madam clerk. Commissioner McFersonson. Yes. Vice Mayor Cowan Williams. Yes. Commissioner McDonald. Yes. Commissioner Scott. Yes. Mayor Bab. Yes. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Thank you, Commissioners. Motion passes by unanimous vote.

Okay. The next item is the discussion and the direction for a workshop to discuss the process of hiring a city manager and to review the applications. Now, this one I think need to be a little separate because we may need to have a little more time than the regular uh workshop that we just discussed.

So, I would suggest again just as a suggestion is of course always up to the commission uh majority that we host have a workshop for next Tuesday at 6 p.m. here at the chamber to discuss the uh criteria and the process for hiring a city manager. There's a motion better. Yes. Second.

It has been moved by the mayor and properly second by Commissioner Mike Fear. We have a workshop next Tuesday at six o'clock here in the chamber to discuss the criteria for selecting our new uh city manager. Call for questions. Nana, are you ready for a vote? When I'm sorry. Yes. When when is this supposed to be now? Tuesday. Next Tuesday. Following Tuesday. We're meeting today. The following Tuesday will be the workshop at six o'clock here in the chamber.

Okay. The next item is the discussion and direction. Just vote on it. We have to vote on it. Oh, so any additional questions? Hearing none, are you ready for a vote? Roll call. Madam clerk. Mayor Bab. present here. Yes. Commissioner McFerson. Yes. Commissioner McDonald. Yes. Commissioner Scott. Yes. May um and Vice Mayor Calvin Williams. Yes. Okay. Okay. The next item is the discussion and direction for steps needed to pursue litigation regarding the funds that have been misappropriated.

[clears throat] So this discussion came up as a a request to have more investigation into the misappropriated funds. We are discussed by having the person who initiated this request to kind of lead in this discussion and then we'll join in and provide our input or recommendation or input or whatever.

Okay. Why don't we just put in like 30 minutes an hour before the next next Tuesday before the workshop for the city manager meeting then we can go over then like I would just come in look uh got six o'clock we come in at 5 and do a workshop on that that way we all know what we're trying to recover and it won't be no I didn't say this and we we'll know everybody can have an input So, Commissioner Scarlet is suggesting that our next meeting I know I'm not the one that you doing for the commissioner workshop. I mean the city manager workshop, right?

We just come in an hour earlier and and and and discuss that. That was on the 17th. We was coming in at 5. So, you want us to come in at six? Oh, yeah. Since this not a meeting, we can probably have five and still do the other one at six. Yeah, I guess that's too late for you put six o'clock. You said workshop 6 o'clock. Workshop at 6 for city manager the one that's on the day that we don't have a meeting though. We can move it down to just move it down to five and I think what is this? Yeah, you you're saying do it on the same day or day that we don't have a commission meeting. Yes. Okay. At 5:00. Y

one will be at five and the other will be at six. Yeah. Second. Okay. It has been moved by Commissioner Scott and properly second by Commissioner Mike Fearson that we conduct a workshop dealing with the litigation uh regarding phones that next Tuesday at 5:00 here at the chamber. Call for questions hearing none. Are you ready for a vote? Roll call. Madam Cler, Commissioner Scott, yes. Commissioner McFerson, yes. Commissioner McDonald.

Yes. Vice Mayor Calvin Williams. Yes. Mayor B.

Yes. Okay, now we'll move to the mayor's report. Just to briefly uh entertain uh Mr. Love question regarding the selection process of the city manager. In the past, we have always interviewed for our city manager. I know some came in as a interim and at some point the commission as a majority decided that they wanted to appoint that particular person. I didn't like that process. Uh but that's the way we did it. uh even when uh the initial entrance was selected, it was always an interview and it wasn't anyone out of just out of the ordinance that was put up here. Uh you take for instance, I go back to even Chandler Williamson, we had the community take part in that process. We selected a uh city manager interviewing committee and they interviewed the the prospective city managers and they listed them and ranked them in the way they felt they was in favor of. I think at that time channel was ranked number one, somebody ranked number two, number three, but ultimately it still was the responsibility of the city commission. So we again interviewed all the candidates and selected who we felt I felt was the best candidate. That's all the process. Even when Mr. Lucas was

hired. We went through the League of Cities to help select a interim city manager. So, I'm just showing you all the little step we have done, not only for us to select, but even to have community buy in and input in doing it. So, we've been always trying to do that. But just recently, a couple of months back, uh, Commissioners, uh, McFersonson suggested that all candidates for city manager should be interviewed. And now we have an ordinance to that. And we having folks now saying, you know, we don't need an ordinance because you did what you did in the past. You need to just point somebody. We're doing a president. We don't want to go down that road. We want to select, I'm hoping, the best candidate that we have available by qualification and experience regardless of where they're from.

If them people never been a city manager like she have for four or five months, they don't have no more qualification than she does. You can't tell me that they more qualified than she is just because you won't bring them in here to compete against her because she was never your first. All right. I'm not asking you. I'm not your choice. We wouldn't be doing I'm not asking for a conversation with you. A dialogue. I'm doing the mayor report. I just mentioned you was talking to me. No, I wasn't talking to you. I said I was just attempting to answer some of your concerns and questions. You have an answer. You just lie. [cough]

Next we'll move to the report of the city manager. Thank you mayor. Um I want to first start by if you all know I want to start by congratulating Mr. Reynthia Balden on the award and accomplishment she just got one of our residents and our teachers. [applause] THANK YOU. [laughter]

So I want and then also I want to take a minute to thank Mr. Houston Tate and Mr. Erin Taylor. Will you all please stand? I just want to thank you all for your support. [applause] Thank you for your offer to assist me if allowed to take Pokei forward. So thank you all for being here tonight. I want to thank my family for being here. I want to just thank the community for being here. Normally, I sit up here and tell everybody what I've done since the last meeting, and it hasn't done any good.

So, I want to take a different route tonight. I want to thank you all for coming out to the meeting to support and engage in what's happening in the city of Pokei because you don't have to be here. Many don't come because they're not sitting up here. So, you all are here. The last four months have been intriguing, satisfying and strengthening for me. My purpose here is to make Pokei vibrant and attractive. Again, with the help of all, not me, but we.

My hope is for the community, Das, and other stakeholders to work together, showing the public that the city officials are paving the way together in the right direction. We can't stand still and keep doing the same thing over and over again expecting expecting different results. My belief in success always start at home. So I came home and started trying to bring our community back together again with community events. I sponsored the Veterans Day. I did the Thanksgiving assistance to the families. I did the Christmas tree lighting and the parade, the New Year's Eve celebration, bringing 2026 in together with the help of staff because that's what we wanted to do. Now, we're ready to bond in 2026, and we don't need anything to hold us back. Let's talk about the business accomplishments. I came into city hall and advised staff that we are a team with the same priority, the city of Pokei. That's the main thing. We will become family, but we will be held accountable. I accepted what I inherited and I went to work organizing the office and looking through boxes. I joined organizations, the Palm Beach County League of Cities, the Florida League of Cities, the International City County Management Association, attending meetings, sometimes alone, but I attended them events that will allow me to network with the people who make a difference in our community. I am bringing in a selection team who is going to work with me to change the perception of Pokei and we all know the perception. The state audit 2024 was overdue when I came in with sanctions being threatened to the city. I called, I emailed and I finally scheduled a meeting with HCT and got that resolved. A copy has been placed in front of your table.

OIG policy recommendations for updates. Some have been done and forward to the attorney for review and we're in various stages with the others right now thanks to our strategic planner. A copy of that list has been provided to you all. Information was provided on the status of the $210,000 that we would have lost had we not pushed forward and asked them to reopen that. So that is also included in your breakdown sheet. Agreements and contracts that were inherited as expired. We have been working on getting those ratified and reopened and get our contractors back in legal capacity. Dilapidated buildings. We reached out to the salad waste authority to inquire about funding but no funding is available at this time. We went out to the department of housing and economic sustainability. No funds are available. I reached out to Mr. Houston Tape and he says, "Tammy, whatever I can do for you, just let me know. We're in this together." We have done projects. The PNC bill that everybody's talking about, that's what we're looking to fix because it it is unsafe for our community and I'm working to make that happen. I'm building relationships with the legislators who have a hand in our district, our town, and our future. Representative Weineberger called me yesterday just to check on me.

So, that says a lot about what I've done to impress her. I told her it's not personal. It's professional for my people. Our town has funds that are unaccounted for or misappropriated. Our audits are two to three years behind sometimes. The Office of Inspector General says we need to make major updates to our policies and call in an outside firm to do it. And that's what we're working on. Mayor, you agreed with those findings in the OIG report. You blamed it on the frequent change in management. So, how can that be correct if we're going to keep changing management? You know, there's nothing against the other candidates. Nothing at all. I know I wasn't your first, second, or third pick, but the other four did. So, what has changed? Have I done anything to discredit my ability? How would you know? No one's evaluating me. Not one evaluation. So, I sit here. I sent all of you an email on December 1st asking to meet with you all once a week so that way I'll know what you expect and I can make that happen. So, that way we can come together and fix things before we come before the public as if we disagree. That's what I tried to do. And in addition to that, before I wrap up, I gave each of you a a copy of my calendar since it was requested. I wanted all of you all to have so you can see my calendar. I'm not playing. I'm there to 8, 9, 10:00 at night. Sometimes I have to call PBSO to come let me out because I'm there when nobody else is. I sent emails to state and local state and local representatives that was requested. I'll get that to you all at a later time. you have the budget report as promised and that's why I'm able to do that because I'm not letting people bring checks into the office and not checking them. You know, I'm making sure that they're legit. So, as I close, I just want to say I'm here. I've done this for four months.

Staff members may not like the way I'm doing it, but I'm putting the city of Pokei first. People don't like change if it's not to their advantage. So, I thank you all for listening. You all have a good night, and I really appreciate you all FOR SUPPORTING [applause] ME. THAT'S ALL I HAVE. MAYOR, thank you. Next, we have the report of the city attorney. Yes, Mayor Bab. City attorney Bernardet Nars Weeks is on the line tonight. Attorney Weekes. Yes. Yes. Mayor Bab. Yes.

Yes. Vice Mayor Bab, Vice Mayor, Commissioners. Um I just wanted to put on the record just one um I guess slight correction just so that uh residents are not in the position of left in the position of believing that somehow the city did something wrong with the minor home repair program for the ARPA funds. The contract for the my home services was it to be entered into per the resolution and per um our agreements um with the property owner and the selected handyman or contractual service company. It it was the responsibility of the property owner to request proof of insurance says in the documents that we gave to them from the selected contractual service company. And so the city of Pokei did not enter to into any contract with the minor home repair um you know contractors in any way. So I just don't want people to believe that somehow the city should be held is is capable of being held responsible of um maybe repairs that may not have been done to the liking of the homeowners. And so, you know, obviously I represent the city and so, you know, when something like that is said, I just want to make make clear for the record that um that that is, you know, the city is not culpable or responsible for that. Um, one other thing is just to make note, the manager did mention that she had sent over um policies for my review. I've reviewed all of them. I've redlined them. I'll send them back to her with comments, questions, um, uh, corrections, whatever. So, um, whenever things do come, I'm prepared and we're ready to look at them. And then one final thing is you have with you, um,

um, Miss Sean Abney, who is a very, very capable um, HR attorney. most of her career has been leading very large corporations, law firms, other businesses with HR practices from a legal perspective. And so to the extent that you have questions or concerns in that area, she is one of the um most qualified attorneys in the state who can help to uh lead us through some of those issues. [clears throat] That's all that I have. Thank you um for listening. Thank you, Senator.

And let me just say one other last thing, one other thing. I did um send to you all a memorandum um regarding a question that had come up regarding legal issues um pursuant to um funds that were um it said misappropriated. Um, and I and I tried to make it clear in that memo that when you all hear from people from the public who say that, you know, millions of dollars was stolen from the city and all that kind of stuff, it's actually not accurate. Um what is more accurate is that there were not systems in place and controls in place that would help you all account for um making sure that everything goes into the proper pockets and is done for procurement um in a proper procurement way or it's done um in a way that uh otherwise meets the specifications of your city code. So, um, you know, I I think mayor, uh, you all should really start to push back on that because people are led to believe that somehow, you know, somebody came in and just stole a bunch of money from the city. That is not true. Um what is true is that there are things that the IG has pointed out that need to be [clears throat] done from a control standpoint and I think the city is working and all of you want to see uh those issues pushed forward to you know make those necessary um changes and anything that comes on my desk although I'm I believe at this point I'm kind of looking at things that are really outside of um normally I review for legal sufficiency But because there is a a great effort on everybody's part to want to see things um meet the standards of the um you know

IG report. I am looking to make it whatever I get compliant with um what what your code requires and what you all have discussed in prior meetings and what and also what the inspector general is looking for. And so um with that now uh that's all I have. Thank you. Thank you. And mayor if I could maybe go back for a minute and make a point for the record. I did not say that we are responsible for the ARPA money. What I said is that I want us to look into what we can do to assist our our residents since most of them are seniors. So that's what I I you know that was my my comment.

Yeah. I and I want to clarify that wasn't directed toward you. It was it's a general perception I think that people hold that is not accurate and it it really should be pushed back on. If the city is looking to improve its image um you know and just really get [clears throat] accurate information out you all should really push back on people making those kind of claims. That's all. Thank you.

Thank you. And we'll move to future agenda items of the city commission if any. May not start with uh Commissioner Mike Fearson if you have any. No, let me just move back. I just I'm going to forget this person if I don't look at him and see him. Let's start with Commissioner Mcdana. Commissioner Mcdana, do you have anything that you would like to see added on a as a future agenda item? Um not not in the way of any future agenda items. Okay. But um I'll reserve comment until later.

Okay. Thank you, Commissioner Mike Fearson.

Uh yes, by me being the audit selection chairperson. [clears throat] Um [snorts] and I've been gravely concerned about uh different audits. As a matter of fact, I was probably instrumental as to helping get the three audits that we was behind putting that team together and selecting the um auditor to get those things done. And I think I just spoke with um uh ACT about a week ago and they did inform me that there was one last glitch that was going on with the um final audit and me and the city manager had had a conversation about it also and um I think he reached out to meet with both of us but I was unable to be there at the time and he did complete uh that that final audit has been has been completed. Now the other audit that's our JAC JLAC audits that we have uh that we were behind on but we also have the audit findings from the audit general office and that is a great responsibility and I think we have staff that is trying to do it but what I want to make my future agenda item to be that we give the city manager permission to hire a professional firm that deals specifically with auditis to assist her and her staff as to getting They had complete

commission. He's making a recommendation for a future agenda item. I'm looking for a second if we have to hire a professional. give the city manager prof per permission to hire a professional auditing group to help come in and help assist to make sure that we are in compliance with the correction or corrective action plans that um this the state audit requires for us. I I have a question. You mean put out for bid? Yes. You said hire? Yeah, you said hire the proper process. Yes. I want to put it on the agenda item that we go through the process procurement process. Okay. I just wanted to make sure you say hiring so I know if you mean a procurement process. Yes, I'll second.

It has been moved and second to that object. Call for questions. Hearing none. Are you ready for a vote? Roll call. Meth cler. Commissioner McFersonson. Yes. Vice Mayor Calvin Williams. Yes. Commissioner McDonald. Yes. Commissioner Scott? Yes. Mayor Bab. Yes. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Thank you, Commissioners. Motion passed by unanimous vote. And we'll move to the vice mayor. She has any suggested items.

I do. I just have two. Um I see the paper we have here from FDOT. One of my items was if we could get at the next meeting a update on exactly where we are with the Mccclure Road project. Do we still have the funding? Is the funding is lost. So, I would just like for that to be a future agenda item if it can be brought at the next um meeting so we can see where we are with those dollars. I can do that.

Are there a second to that effect? Second. Has been moved and second. Call for questions hearing none. Ready for a vote? Roll call. ML cler. Vice Mayor Calvin Williams. Yes. Commissioner Scott, yes. Commissioner McDonald, yes. Commissioner McFersonson, yes. Mayor B, yes. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Thank you, Commissioners. Motion passed by unanimous vote.

And the second one is if we can get a list of how our search tax dollars are going to be used for for um this 2026 year. [clears throat] Second been moved by Commissioner Vice Mayor Williams properly. Second by the mayor that we get a list of how we're planning on using our tech service tax dollars for the next coming year.

Call for questions. Hearing none. Are you ready for a vote? Roll call. Vice Mayor Calvin Williams. Yes. Mayor Bab. Yes. Commissioner McDonald. Yes. Commissioner McFerson. Yes. Commissioner Scott. Yes. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Commissioner Scott, do you have any future concern? And we'll move to general public comments. This does not have to be agenda item. City clerk, at this time, do we have any public service comment card completed?

Yes, sir. We have uh four. So, the first person would be Mr. um Ernest Busy. Thank you. [clears throat] It's too late. It's too late. It has to be by 5 minutes after the start. Good evening. It's not working. Somebody broke it. I got it though. I need to put that on the I have it on my computer, but that's somebody up. Yeah, but everybody can go

city clerk. Yes, sir. we can get a uh consensus whether the commission would allow for the lateness of Mr. Aaron comments card. He wasn't aware that they had been in at a certain time when they did that before the gentleman behind you. Okay. Mr. You had one. You had one wasn't where? Yeah. Just there's a consensus to allow them to do that. You can get their cards. It's um some cards to the door. Just fill it out and bring it to them.

It's okay. It's some to the door. [cough] Mr. Busy, you can go back. I'll restart your time.

Good evening. My name is Ernest Busy. Uh the one question that I have is is mostly to your mayor. Sir, you have been very unprofessional with the interim city manager. I came in late out at the um Tri City picnic and you were out there and you introduced my uh the interim city manager as Tammy Moore. You had time enough to correct that. You chose not to when I had the time though.

You had the time cuz you when you was standing up there, I wasn't there cuz I came late. I I would I would have sure said something to you that day. I don't do no threats. Okay. But that was very that was very disrespectful something like that as a mayor. That's very disrespectful of you. Okay. Okay. And here's the other thing. You say she's not your first, second, or third, and all that garbage coming out your mouth. What I want to ask you that is that based on what? What? What's that based on? It was based on the qualification of the other qualification of what? And their experience. We had at least three other candidates that had prior city manager experience.

Who? Ramsey. Ramsey been fired. That's who you That's who you and Squa after was Squa's second choice that she picked uh that guy Ramsey. Ramsey come from Dana. But you don't know what I had on my paper, sir. Well, let me tell you probably calling. [clears throat] Well, you the one say that that that we need a white city manager here. You the one called my wife, asked her to hire your your cousin and she didn't. I don't even have no cousin. I don't even have cousins here. I don't have cousins. I don't want to talk to you anymore. I don't want to talk to you either. my professional self. But ma'am, what I they come in here with this every week. Vice Mayor, Vice Mayor, please let the loudness speak.

Are we done with the city business? Cuz I would not sit here and listen to this week after week that the in room who going to be the city manager family comes in here and this is what they do. Well, you trail you trailed her out here last week and she threatened you and you trailed her outside. I didn't trail nobody outside. I was leaving the meeting. You trail her. I didn't anybody ever need to find out what a threat is. Mr. Busy, those officers sitting over there, they know what a threat is. Mr. By, and this is what we want for our city residents. Are you listening? Yes. People like you cuz you say you want a white one. You sure?

But what I want to say to you, mayor, is this. She's not your first, second, or third. And you talking about the experience. Okay. This white guy Ramsey, you still talking. Ain't nobody talking to you. You came in my brother. You came up my brother-in-law talking about you. Mr. Busty. Mr. Busty. Mr. Busty.

Mr. Busty. This is what we want for a city man. No, let's calm y'all. Calm down. It's okay. It's okay. It's okay. And and and you said by experience. Have you contact where she's worked the last 25 years and got a report on Miss Busy in terms of her experience? No, she's never worked up here.

Right. So, but you you you saying she wouldn't have been your first, second, or third. Ramsay, that guy hand wrote his application and he's from Dana and he sat up here and told Mr. Scott that he's been fired on a job before. That's the experience you want. Mhm. And he said, "You beat me." All I'm saying, mayor, is is very disrespectful for somebody like her coming up and you introduce her somebody totally Tammy Moore and you had a chance to fix that and you didn't do that. Let me answer that just briefly if I can. Yeah. Yeah, you do that.

You're saying I had a chance. I did that when I was doing my introduction about the uh affair. I did make that mistake. I apologize for that. When I'm apologizing now if you say I apologize now. So I don't know how you can feel that so disrespectful. I come here now sometime I even have to think or just be cautious of Mike Fearson name or Miss McDonald name. I I I mean I'm having some slight mental lapses here and there under some of the

I guess I don't know what you call it, but I apologize for that. It wasn't by intent to say that and I felt bad about it. But if you that's upset because I mis misplaced or misall your wife's name, I apologize publicly to you and to her and to the family. Accept your apology. But the the last thing I would say is that you know when she's having something for the city and they get everybody there, you're not showing up. But you've been out fishing and you do a whole lot of other things. But what is it just miss busting?

Haven't been fishing in almost a a year almost. Really? I don't know where you get that from. Fishing. It's been a while since I've been fishing. I've been sick and really under the weather. I came for instant to the uh veteran day program. I were asked by the entrant to city manager to speak to the clients there, the the residents. When I got there, I wasn't even on the program when none of us even listed on the program. I normally do most if not all the welcomes of the city when we have events. She mentioned the fact that she put on that program. We do an annual veteran day program every year. So activity that I'm missing is it because I'm sick. I'm I'm just a little sick and under the weather, but I'm here. I'm not in feeling well even today. I went to two doctor's appointment today. I went to two last week. I went to two. I will be going to two next week. That's six. All specialists. All specialists. A nuros. I'm not even going to mention who I'm seeing, but I'm I'm going I'm under the Dr. is give her a fair chance to do that.

Just give her a fair chance like you've done with anybody else. And she's done a great job. These people can tell you that she's done a great job so far. Just be fair to her. That's that's all I want. Thank you. The next person is Mr. Tamarcus Porter. Um, good evening. What's your name, Mr. Attorney? My name is Yes, ma'am. Sean Abney.

Uh, do you know the ordinance that makes you have to put a motion on the next agenda or next item? Do you know the ordinance or resolution that causes that? No, not off hand. I don't. Does any of the commissioners know? No, but it is a a resolution or ordinance we have to at least allow the commission to have some input of what we want on the agenda. In the past has been the city manager who still direct the agenda and lead in that but we have now some leeway so we can have an item that we may be want on the agenda. That's why that's

but I don't know the ordinance right off hand. So let's say that three commissioners wanted to vote on something or they voted that to pass something. Y'all would say no, we can't do that. If three commissioners were in agreeance to do something like majority, we would say no, we got to wait till the next meeting. Yeah. Because what happened in in in a meeting to give That's what the charter says. Is that what the charter says? Are you sure about that? Yeah. to get it public. You wouldn't want to be voting on anything that the public wasn't even aware was going to be on the agenda item if some instance they may have say I would want it to be there but I didn't know this was something that they was even going to be considering

and that's why that's there.

All right. Well, I'm u I actually have prepared some, but I'm actually very proud of the city manager for standing up for herself and putting some stuff out there. Um, I just want to say that the city of Pokei, first of all, I'm just a little quick background. I'm I've been pretty much all over the world. I've lived in cities, major US cities, you know, New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, all over the world. And I've learned a lot. I've been in meetings with Fortune 500 companies. I've met with different people. I've presented different stuff. And the thing that I learned and the most significant realization that I came to is per capita, Pokei, Florida is probably the most resourcerich environment in the United States. And just due to leadership and just the culture and the stuff that the community is being subject to, we're stagnant. There's so much talent out here. I promise you, like I said, I've been everywhere. Like I've been to NFL practices. I've been everywhere that you can imagine. And when I tell you I come back to Pokey, I fell in love with Pokei in 2005 when I came here back for high school over all over Pokey Pride. Actually, it was Poke Pride. It was like crazy. Like anybody and everybody thought they were the best. And they would compete with you and you going to compete. You going to compete and they going to try to make you

Yeah. Y'all got it. But yeah, let's just try to have a little unity, man. Let's just try to come together, man. And if you had some mistakes in the past, let that out, man. You live with it, man. Everybody, nobody's perfect. We all got our mistakes. Just live with it and don't hold a city up because you're trying to read. Thank you, sir. Yes, sir. Yes, sir. The next person is Mr. Robert Love.

Let me ain't going to even go back where I was. I'mma start somewhere else. Just calm yourself. How y'all set up there and do what y'all do when the community looking at y'all and how y'all being led? Y'all ain't This ain't y'all. This ain't y'all. This ain't y'all. See how same quarter jumped up in here and left and like he had done got her to say she hate Miss Busty Guts. She shouldn't even be in the voting process. And you hate Miss Busty Guts. You shouldn't even be in the voting process. I don't hate Miss Bus.

You alive. You alive. You're alive. Your nickname Laala, right? [laughter] You hate her guts. You done stopped right here and showed me right in front of her. And then I don't see how y'all can go through a process when y'all got somebody that you already hate and then you're trying to bring somebody else in the process to talk about, well, we going to interview these applications. You know why you want to do that? Because you hate her guts. St. Coll that's who y'all want for a city manager? No, we don't want her for no damn commissioner neither. Tell her that.

But y'all know your days is numbered and your time ain't long. I hope Miss Weeks I hope you listening. She I hope she on because like I still say I heard Miss Mike McDonald talk about the letter but I ain't got to talk about the letter because y'all know the letter was full of junk and she sat up there tonight and talking about well the the OIG is lying when the OIG say 3.2.3 something million dollars missing. She's saying they lying but what the IG says? Huh? Can you can you tell me what the OG stole?

Okay. And then another one I I've been intend to ask you, did you ever go to the OIG about Lucas and the sexual harassment that you sat up there and cried about? I know you did cuz he locked your ass locked your butt out of city hall and then you shot up there and cried about him locking you out of city hall. They done dunked you like a dog around here and you still try to run up and lick they behind.

All of them done you like a dog. You up there by yourself and all of them leaving you. Like I still say, Miss Biggs and and and uh Chrissy Bruce and all them getting on Facebook trying to attack people for y'all. They must be done forgot what y'all done. And how y'all trying to hide it now? You know why you I know you're trying to hide it? You trying to get past Miss Busy

and Miss Busy just sat up there and ripped off five bits of what something she done in the last four months. What y'all didn't get out of Lucas in two years. what you didn't get out of Mica Jackson in a year and something now and one of y'all can tell me y'all got more out of Michael Jackson than what she just named. She done got money that Michael Jackson them had done throw it away. He settled there and then way the money that Michael Jackson spent for the Ashfolk. I need you to find way the money Michael Jackson spent a lot of money that ain't nobody seen yet. Ain't nobody seen the work done. Do y'all look at that? Mr. Mike Fson,

thank you for your comment. The next person is Miss Cynthia Hall. I'm looking up. I don't know where it's a y

coming at me. T, how you doing? first, second, and third. That busted was not your choice. That's fine. Let poi be your choice. When you was riding around taking picture with busty property and everywhere, did you get a picture of the roads? You did. What you plan to do with that? Answer me cuz I'mma claim a time if you don't answer me. But I plan to do with what

those picture you was taking of the busted property in the um we talked about having a business of the month because I was in the area and their business was close by. I took a picture there.

Okay. So you don't like Miss Busy. She was your first, second, or third choice. Why you want her to be your friend on Facebook? Why are you asking for a friend request? You all do all this stuff undercover. Squ ran out because she know I was coming at her about the stealing of the money. That's why she don't like Miss Busy cuz Miss Busy gonna get in that pot. That attorney, she heard me. She guiding y'all. What she's doing? She building her bus. And when they get her, they going to come back and get every last one of you. Squa ran out cuz she thought the police going to get her tonight cuz her ain't been caught in the cookie jar, too. You all need to get it together. This is not a joke. This is serious. Did do you know how pokey look? Mike Fson, you know how pokey look. Jane Scott, Mike Donald, Miss Weeks, where you at? You need to be at this meeting. You haven't b four meeting. This stuff is at 40 and you need to be here. I DON'T KNOW WHY Y'ALL COMING AT MISS BUSY. Why y'all WON'T WORK WITH THE KID? YOU LOOK pretty lips. Why you want to work with Miss Busy?

Why you don't want to work with Miss Busy Mson? If you if you check the Miss Busy, Miss Busy, I'll just call her name Mr. Mike. Why you don't want to work Miss Busy Scott?

Miss Mike Donna, y'all. Come on. This this been going on too long. Too long. Let's come together. LET'S WORK TOGETHER. LET MISS BUZZY. WE CAN DO IT. POKE IS SMALL. AND IF ALL OF US GET TOGETHER AND GET on one accord, START THROWING ROCK JUST BECAUSE YOU DON'T LIKE YOU DON'T HAVE TO LIKE MISS BUSTY LIKE you said it. What you living in? Hey B, I don't need NOBODY LIKE HER. I LOVE THAT. I LOVE HER. So y'all don't have to love her like. Let's love and like our sin and let's work with Miss Busty and we can get it done. Thank you ma'am for your comment.

You talking on something my time and I love y'all. Let's get this done. Uh, uh, Mayor Bab, I hope you feel better, you know, with your doctor's appointment, you know, and my, you know, we going to be praying for you. Y'all y'all through looking at me, y'all have a good night, m Mr. Mayor. Yes, ma'am. Yeah. I just want to correct the record. I have not missed four meetings. I missed the last meeting and this one and it's rare that I do. But um I also want to say that in terms of just public perception um what I talked about earlier about people just kind of saying anything you all should

no not people because we know you haven't been here and you can pay two attorneys you need you all don't touch the money and everybody you know anybody people who are listening to the commission meetings may think that you touch the money you don't you don't have anything to do with money I don't have anything to do with money and um you know so that you you may want to just stop that because people are I think being left with the impression that somehow the city is um being run by elected officials who are stealing money and that's not accurate. Thank you.

Thank you. The next person is Mr. Aaron Taylor. on this one. Thank you.

I don't know how I can follow some of those comments. I have to say our people are colorful. Um I'm just here to um give everybody an update. I do that periodically when you guys haven't heard from the other on the one North Lake Project. The last time I sat before you guys, uh there were some major renovations that had to be done to the plans based on the fire department comments. We finally got those uh resolved. I actually got the plans yesterday. They'll be going to the print shop tomorrow and I'll be resubmitting to the fire department. Uh hopefully tomorrow before the end of business day. They say the turnaround is three weeks. The last time they said that it was six. So once I put it in, I can't control how long it takes. As Miss Noamy knows, she's not here now. Um once I finish that I have to submit it to cab government who's your third party reviewer and uh I happen to know the guy so uh he told me that his first review will take about two to three weeks. Uh of course we'll have to make some revisions and then um address that whatever those comments are and then um hopefully we can put shovel on the ground in a few months. So just wanted to give you an update on that. Uh, also, oh my gosh, [clears throat] I have to say this, you know, I black, white, purple, Asian, Russian, doesn't make a difference. You cannot have progress without a level of consistency. And I've been around to a lot of different places, a lot of municipalities. I've worked for the government, worked for private sector, private equity, you name it. People that make it, people that succeed, they have an uncommon cohesion in their direction. They don't always get along, but their personal opinions about what needs to happen over what is necessary, feelings don't get in the way when it comes to money and progress.

It does not. So, what what you feel about a situation, you can move forward and still feel ill about it because you didn't like the direction or it wasn't your opinion. But I've seen more infighting in this one little municipality than anywhere else that I've worked in. I've worked in I've worked in a lot of them. I have to say honestly um for some of you that know that when I used to work for the county it's how I got introduced to Pokei because I was part of the funding arm for some of the businesses you had here I am trying my best to push and pioneer opportunities for the city but for anybody who's looking to invest and do their due diligence in this city the first place they're going to look is the commissioner meetings

and all the opportunities all all the the development that can happen can all be shut down simply because there's a lack of professionalism that happens. Some issues should not happen here. Some things you need to discuss or deal with outside in these chambers. Thank you. Because this is the only place that people are going to perceive whether you're a place of progress or a place that's going the opposite direction.

Either you're going to they're going to buy into the stereotype they've already heard about you or you guys are going to prove them wrong. So, as somebody who shares the same color, I'm I'm about done. Sorry. As somebody who shares the same color, I have to say I'm honored to be here, but I'm also disappointed that for some reason we are the most talented people on the planet, yet we cannot get out get out of each other's way.

Since I've been working with Miss Busy, I don't have any political affiliations here. I'm all about getting it done. And he knows this. From point A to point B, I've had no issues with trying to get direct access to her. She's always been call me back within 24 hours and within a certain amount of time I've always gotten direct answers on a process to move forward. If she doesn't know, she doesn't know. She tells me that. But she works on getting the answers. So I would at least say regardless of what the paper says qualifications wise, my qualifications didn't get me here. My ability to get things done did. So if you have somebody in your corner who's getting things done, then support that person. Come together as a city. That's all I have to say.

[applause]

The last comment is from Mr. Houston Tape.

Thank you. Mayor Babs and City Commission and City Manager Busy. Uh I'm Houston Tate, the director of the Office of Community Revitalization, and I'm only here to talk about good news. What is that good news about? As you recall, there was a fire at your POI apartment complex maybe about a week or so ago. It was at 8657 Dolan Drive. Uh I re I was in a meeting and received a text from uh deputy county administrator and simply said there's a fire in Pokei. See what you can do. Okay. Within that moment of getting that information um there were a number of Palm Beach County departments that got together. Of course, fire rescue was the first department that was out here and they responded immediately to the scene. They contained the fire and ensured the safety of all the residents. They conducted emergency assessment and provided a site medical support as needed. But the most important thing is they contacted all of uh county departments so that we then could bring forth our services. our office in particular, you know, I don't know if you know, but we're here once a month. We do a food distribution that's at uh at the United Methodist Church, Baptist Church, right on Beacon Point Road. I'm letting everybody know if you don't know, I'm going to give you my car because I'm here every week. We have food to serve you, but we also have a program that we provide furniture free of charge. So, uh, community service provided essential items including coats

and blankets and, uh, and this was done at the [clears throat] Salvation Army. They ensured to make sure that families was was very cold at that time. So, we wanted to make sure that people were being taken care of those cold moments. Um now youth services department came forth and said you know we'll we'll assist with outreach and they provided uh emotional and practical assistance. I provided uh a um a flyer to your city manager. Uh I also handed out that very same flyer when we came out here to feed your residents last Friday. Um, now with regards to the city manager's direct involvement, uh, uh, your city manager came to uh, West Palm Beach, picked up coats uh, last Friday, picked up coats and blankets and brought them to the city that day. Um, she assisted amazing day. She assisted with our food assistant program. Normally, you know, I'm I come here, we have a number of uh of of businesses that helps us. We have a number of of organizations that help us in terms of uh in in terms of providing assistance. This one time we didn't and I looked up and we found four of your your uh staff.

Wow. Came to came there. Now, they've never been there before. They came there that Friday. They came and they they helped the church. They helped all of the other uh folks that was there. Your service was very needed. Uh uh also there was one because we started people got there so early that before PPSO had a chance to get there. Um I was quite concerned. I was making phone calls myself. Uh your city manager came out said, "Well, what what's wrong? What can I do?" She made a phone call. All two units showed up in minutes.

And also I want to comment to uh PBSO. I don't know his name, but there was one deputy that did something so unique in terms of traffic patterns. He got all the traffic off of Beacon Point Road and brought it onto the church. And as a result, the big problems that we have with traffic was resolved. So that's a compliment to PBSO. You guys did a great job. Hey, Mr. I'm sorry you made me hear I know you I just want to tell you where where I'm going with this. Huh? I just want to tell you the important All I'm saying is I cut some folks off earlier after they have three minutes you basically like I treat everyone else.

Yes. Just can I This is important because

Yeah. All of this was a um a response to the county and your city. And so uh the importance of immediate response, the rapid and and unified response from the county departments and the city manager underscores several key strengths in emergency coordination. Number one, protection of resident safety. Number two, effective interdep departmental collaboration. Number three, strong city county partnership. Number four, rapid deployment of essential services. Number five, um community centered leadership. Now, the key message is the swift unified response from county departments and the city manager exemplifies the strength of our emergency support system and our shared dedication to protecting and assisting residents in a time of crisis. I come to you tonight not knowing what you were faced with. I only come to you tonight to share the importance of the county and the city continuously working together because it does work. Thank you very much. [applause] City manager, city uh clerk, do we have any additional comments cards complete?

No, sir. That is all. Thank you, ma'am.

Now, we'll move to comments for the good of the order of the city commission if they have any. And I start with uh Commissioner Mike Donner. So um I'm the keep but um I just want to remind uh the DES that um the monthly expenditures report is missing from the U meeting packet. Just um if you can make a note of that and uh see if we can get that rectified going forward. And also, um, I just want to say that I've been meeting with our community redevelopment, um, coordinator and, uh, we're looking at, um, and identifying, uh, areas in within the city and planning to, um, implement some measures for, um, improvement. Uh, and that's um a very vast uh statement, but um definitely if you ride through town, you can see um pretty much what I'm talking about. So, we're looking to try to get some u measures implemented to bring about improvement and uh betterment of our city.

[cough]

Um, and lastly, um, it's not something that I feel I need comment on, but I'm going to ask the city manager, the interim city manager, if she would, um, comment on the DOT uh, findings that were brought to her attention um, so that we can u make the city aware of these um, situations so that we can all be vigilant and keep an eye on them going forward. Um, and but before she does, um, I want to say that, um, I was invited to the middle school a couple of weeks ago. They had an IB, um, presentation, uh, for the kids that they do. um every I think they um well the program has been in existence but they did a presentation that um they invited different ones too and I want to let the community as well as the parents know that it's an awesome uh program that you might want to consider for your children if they're middle school age um they learn different skills that would definitely um improve their stock as individuals entering the workforce as well as prepare them um for college. They can also receive a scholarship and enter college as a junior if they complete the IB program. So, if you didn't um have any information on it or you weren't aware of it, uh you can reach out to the middle school to um speak to the coordinator, I believe her name is Miss Brown, and um get some additional information on that. But um if the city manager would please um speak to the situation regarding the DOT um issues that they pointed out.

Are you uh Commissioner McDonald, are you referring to the issues with the potholes? Is that the one you're talking about? Yes. Well, [clears throat] not the potholes, but those that were created by the sanitation. Okay. Department. Okay. not department so you can contra.

Okay, I can do that. And first I will also say as far as the budget report, it wasn't included in the agenda due to the uh public records, but I did have a copy here. Everyone here has one, so I will put it in your mailbox for you. Um I'm providing a packet tonight. And then as far as the FDOT, what uh Commissioner McDonald is referring to is while I was in my office, I had a visit from a gentleman from FDOT and he was complaining about the um pot the big holes that were being dug at the trash pickup by big dog um sanitation. And so he explained many different areas in the city that had the dangerous dips in the road where if cars went off the road a little bit, it would tear up the car. One was so deep that if it rained, a child would if child got in there, they would, you know, probably drown. So when they he came to my office to tell me about it and being the person that I am, I got up and I went with him around the town. I didn't send a supervisor. I didn't send a parks and recreation person or public works. I went and I saw these myself. And so what I did is I called a meeting with Big Dog to my office and explained to them what was happening. I explained to them, you know, the issues and also showed them pictures that I had taken. And after expressing to them the danger in the liability they were putting the city in, he understood Emilio and he said, "Miss Busy, we will cover those. We'll take care of those." Because they were digging too deep and not getting out to pick the trash up that needed to be picked up. So, as a result of us meeting with them, then um we were able to get them to admit to filling those holes and public works has been going around town to follow up and they have started doing

that. And so that is the success that we're having with an issue that Commissioner Mc McDonald was um made aware of.

Thank you. That that concluded my um comment.

Commissioner Mike Fearson. Yes. For the good and the order. Uh when I ran for this commission seat, my slogan was leadership with integrity and transparency. There was a lot of things that I saw that didn't uh was didn't like or and I vowed to change some of those things when I got into this seat. One of the things that we have a problem with and that's and that's the reason we have our audit findings is us following our procedures are the lack thereof and I'm a firm believer if you continue to doing the same thing expecting a different results we all know what the definition of that is but however I'm here for rules I ran on that I was going to be a stern personal rules that I did at all my background and whatever I do is for the love of this city. It's not intended for anybody. And as um the young man said, we may not always agree on everything that we do, but we can agree to disagree, but there has to be a level of professionalism coming from us, but also we need to expect our citizens to conduct themselves in in a professional way. And me myself, if I do something, I don't have a problem with you calling me out on it. Just don't lie on me. And but even if you do that, I'm going still treat you with professionalism and move forward. And I want to just let everybody know the only way this city is going to move forward, we going to have to work together in unity. And that's going to start with this commission. And I'm not not saying that we going to always agree on everything. And if you disagree with the decision that I make, fine. And I don't have a problem with that. It get voted down. Fine. I don't have a problem with that. But what we do have to do, we

have to conduct this business like this city as it is is a business. And it's time out for this stuff. And I'm going to be honest with you. I'm standing here. If you're looking for a person that's not going to follow the rules, I'm not your man. Cuz I'm here to follow the rules. And they and that goes for me and anybody else. And everybody in this commission, in this city, has a responsibility to know the rules. Are we going to always get it right all the time? No. [clears throat] But my intended purpose is to do the right thing and to move this city forward. And I'm really I'm being honest with you. I'm just sick and tired of all the bickering and the going back and forth. We need to move this city forward. And I'm just speaking from my heart tonight. And and I'm just going to put it just like this. If you're looking for a person to do the right thing, I'm your man. If if you don't think I'm your man, vote me out.

Cuz I'm here for the right reason. You might not always agree with my decision, and I'm going to stand 10 toes down on my decisions. If it get outvoted, fine. I just agree to disagree and move on. And I just want to let everybody know I love this city. I love all of you in here. And ain't nothing that you can do about it. Thank you, Commissioner Scott. Yeah. I

I only have like one problem. I I guess it's probably not a problem, but I'm I got a concern. for months. We come up here and we ask how many applicants we have for city managers and I went and picked up my package. Now we got four and we had three for the last three months that I don't know but we had the date had cut off. So when did we come up with this fourth application? I think when the last applicant came in as far as being submitted to us,

they had met the deadline and that was explained in the transmitter process to each of us that this person and actually I'm going be honest the city clerk even took the blame and regularly so she didn't pass it on to the commission. But the person the HR person the HR person had they they had met the deadline towards submitting their application for the city manager position. So um so so the same HR person that stood here last and two weeks ago and stated that we had three applications

and she named them. She's like that person. So when did she come up with the fourth application? Because the deadline was over. The deadline on her application. No, the deadline was over when the HR person here and somebody asked her how many she said. If you if you're in a building here in the public and somebody ask you a question sometime you may not have been to answer for She she she ran off they names. She didn't just say a number. She gave their names.

I'm sitting right here. She gave their name. And when I pick up my package, we got a fourth. So I want to know, did she look in her office and find this application since last week or someone else found it and and gave it to her? So I can read you portion of an email that she sent. Um so what she said was and well let me go to it. So she says uh please see the attached city manager application that was submitted with the other applicants. Miss Brian submitted her application on October 20th, 2025 meeting the November 26th deadline. The omission was an oversight on my behalf and I take full responsibility for the error. Accordingly, Miss Bryant's application should be forwarded to this commissioners for review. Please let me know if you have any questions or require additional information and then she followed back up um with the manager, interim manager as well

when she left and based on her explanation, she said that it was something with her computer. So, it was emailed and she showed screenshots of it being emailed on that date. So, she had it by October 20th. I received the email. The inter manager got the email. So, she did a screenshot. That's all I can pass on to you guys. But you said October the 20th this February. Yeah, that's that's what the email says. Sir, you know how many time we don't ask her how many um applicants we had? That wasn't last week when the first time we asked her that. Okay. Well, I can't speak for

I know what you're saying. She's not here, but that's okay. But that just didn't make it was just like it threw me for a curve. like when where did this come at? But I wish he was here cuz I sure had something to tell her. All right. Okay. And I'll end with my few comments. Uh we keep saying move the city forward and I agree with that 100%. But I just want to inform people that this city has been moving forward even though we have had some uh difficulties in our staffing but we have

been moving forward the past 10 years. We'll be live stream. We started in 2016. I know. I know it. I know it. You see the ros. Let me Let me I'm talking now. You You had your comments. I'm just finished for the good of the order.

I see the roles. I know they got issues. But we were and have been in a point where at least 60% of our roads was [clears throat] completed, but we got behind and we got to catch up. So, there's some work to do. How much percent of the park that don't have a swing that don't have anything for the kids to play? Kids are our future and we ain't going to do nothing for our kids. Don't go tell me about we being live stream. Kids don't even know that. No, I'm just letting you know and you need to look up the word liability and slander because some of your comments are borderline on those two areas.

You know where your lawyer at? All right, get to your lawyer. I'll entertain a motion for the journment of the meeting. I second and second call for question. I'm sorry. Who made the motion? You did. So you both second. Okay. Mike Fearson and uh Scott call for question. Hearing none. Roll call. Madam clerk. Mayor Bab. Yes. Commissioner Scott. Yes. Commissioner McDonald. Yes. Commissioner McFerson. Yes. And Vice Mayor Cal Williams is absent.