City Commission - Regular Meeting

The city commission of the city of Pahokee Tuesday, April the 28th, 2026 to order at 6:00 p.m. If you please stand for the invocation provided by Commissioner Mike Fierce, and followed by the pledge of allegiance. Heavenly Father, we just thank you for another opportunity to come into your presence, Father. Father, we ask that your Shikana glory shine upon us as we conduct the business of this city, Father. Father, we ask that you just touch each and every one of our minds and our hearts, Father. Give us a pure heart, Father. A heart that has a motive to please you, Father. We just thank you, Father. Father, we ask that your spirit that manifest itself strong and mighty in this city, Father. Father, no weapon formed against this city shall prosper, Father. We just thank you. In the name of Jesus, Father, we ask that you just touch our minds, each commissioner, Father, that we will use your wisdom to conduct the business of this city. That we that you would touch our citizens, Father. Give us a spirit of unity, Father, to move this city forward. In the name of Jesus, we declare in the name of Jesus. I pledge allegiance 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, Madam Clerk. Mayor Babb. Present. Vice Mayor McDonald. Present. Commissioner Calvin Williams. Present.

Commissioner McFeer. Present. Commissioner Scott. Present. City Manager. Present. City Attorney. Here. City Clerk is present. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Thank you, commissioners. Thank you, staff. And most importantly, thank our audience for being here to participate and witness our deliberation of our city commission meeting. At this time, City Manager, do we have any additions on emergency basis? No additions. Do we have any deletions? No deletions. City Commission, hearing that we have no deletions or no additions, what is your pleasure as this refers to the agenda? Mayor Babb, I move that we accept the agenda as printed. Second. It has been moved by Commissioner Williams and properly seconded by Commissioner McFeer for the acceptance of the agenda as presented. Call for questions. Hearing none, are you ready for a vote? Roll call, Madam Clerk. Commissioner Calvin Williams. Yes. Commissioner McFeer. Yes. Commissioner Scott. Yes. Vice Mayor McDonald. Yes. Mayor Babb. Yes. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Thank you, commissioners. Motion passed in a unanimous vote. Next, we'll move to presentation, proclamation, public service announcement, public comment, general items only. At this time, City Clerk, do we have any public service cards or public comment cards completed? Yes, sir. The first person will be um Dr. Kenneth Peterkin. And if the speaker would announce their name and address for the record, please. Thank you. Good evening, everyone. Uh to our Mayor and Keith Babb, city commissioners, Commissioner McDonald, Vice Mayor, Commissioner Scott, Commissioner

Williams, and Commissioner Mike Fierce, and to our community here today. I am Dr. Kenneth Lee Peterkin, and I reside at 315 Seminole Court here in the great city of Pahokee, Florida. I'm here I'm here on behalf of our boys and girls track team at Pahokee High School. We're getting ready to go to state in May 5th through the 7th. And we are here I'm here acting for a financial for financial help from not only the city commission, but also from the community to help us. I'm not You're not going to talk directly to me when it comes to this cuz I don't deal with money. We were going to get in touch with our coach, our head coach, John Ford, at Pahokee High School, and we're taking about 25 kids to state in Jacksonville. They're going to be running for state championship. Not only representing Pahokee High, they'll be representing the city of Pahokee as well. So, we are asking you if you can, that you will support our kids cuz you know y'all always say the kids are outright. Now, we got good kids that are doing something good and great in our community. And I'm also glad to see that the Pahokee High School principal is here.

[applause]

Glad to see that he's in the house. So, I'm here basically standing in acting for support for the track team. If you're able to help them, you'll reach uh reach out to the school at Pahokee High School to Coach John Ford, and he will give you more information. And also, if you're not busy tomorrow, you're not doing anything, we're having our annual We're having our annual athletic banquet at Pahokee High School, and which will be held in the cafeteria. Auditorium. It'll be in the auditorium tomorrow at 6:00 p.m. If you're not doing anything, please come by and support the kids on a job well done. That's all I have, and thank you for your time. The next person is Robert Love. Good evening, everybody. Robert Love. 2638 Gatewood Drive East.

[clears throat]

And y'all know why I'm up here. To talk about things what's going on in Pahokee. In the past few days, I've been sitting back, and I've been just looking. And the more I look at the dais, I see everybody up there that was with Robert Love before they ran. I see everybody up there. Even you. When you came in here, I got behind you. I got behind everybody up there. But now I'm the villain because I speak about things in this community. If nobody don't never speak about things in this community, we going to be just like we was 5 years ago. Just like we was yesterday. And then I want to tell everybody See, like everybody get mad with me cuz of how I cuss and fuss. Ms. Bryant can tell you that I spoke to her out that door before she even got elected. So, don't nobody be talking about Oh, I'm mad with somebody. I'm mad with somebody. Ain't mad with nobody. I don't have time to be mad. I try to spend my time being glad and happy about something. So, that's why I speak all the time. I can remember the times when somebody up on that dais tell everybody Tell Robert Love. Robert Love get on him. We're on the same court. You'll tell everybody Call Robert Love. Robert Love get on him. You'll do that. Tell You look at me and tell me that you used to do it. You used to call me.

speak to the mayor as the chairperson or the commission as a whole. I'm speaking to you. She used to call me three, four times a day, 2:00, 3:00 at night. I had to get out my bed with my wife to go talk to her. I'm just putting people business out there like mine out there. But now I'm the villain all of a sudden. And I told Ms. Bryant when I was speaking, Ms. Bryant, I'm praying for you. Didn't I tell you that out the door? So, nobody can't be talking about Oh, he mad with Ms. Bryant. I'm glad with anybody want to come up here and work. I remember when Michael Jackson came, all y'all the table with Michael Jackson, y'all wouldn't against him. But the table with Mr. Bustin, y'all against him cuz he's a family. Y'all need to change y'all attitudes about how y'all feel about this city and start putting the people in place, not y'all self. And then TIME I TELL Y'ALL SOMETHING, Y'ALL BLAME ME. Cuz I'm open. I'm a open book. If I do something wrong, the first thing I do, I tell somebody. If I do something right, I tell somebody. I come here tonight just like I said to tell all of y'all up there. I know you've been with me. And I ain't left y'all, you left me. You know why you left me? Cuz I don't agree with wrongdoing. I don't agree with liars. I don't agree with people who are talking in my face and then get behind my back. Cuz I tell them in their face, you got me messed up. And anybody up there, keep you remembering I was holding signs for you? Did you ever give me a dime? Did you ever help me pay for gas coming from Palm Beach? Have you ever give me 50 cents? ANYBODY UP THERE ON THAT DAIS TO SAY IF I'VE BEEN RALLYING FOR YOU, HAVE YOU EVER GAVE ME 50 CENTS? And like I say, I COME FROM PALM BEACH BECAUSE I WAS BORN and raised here in Pahokee. And I'm going to keep on coming. Your time is up, sir. Thank you.

So, the next person is Ms. Cynthia Hall for agenda item. Good evening, everyone. Cynthia Hall. Remark two. We're sixth grade. Ms. Bryant, congratulations on your journey. Uh I hope to be part of the city of Pahokee. We [clears throat] need help in Pahokee and I hope you will up there for a good reason. Don't let Sanqunetta guide you to go left. Go right. You do that, Pahokee will be all right. Because she was putting for Mr. Bustin and Mr. Bustin had things in place to get done. But for some reason, Sanqunetta, [clears throat] you don't like Mr. Bustin. Some reason you despise Mr. Bustin. Why? But we know why. Ma'am, you're speaking to the chair of the commission as a whole, not individuals commission. She can hear me. She knows who who I'm talking about. So, I'm going to speak to You've been on the Excuse me, Mayor Babb. These are not agenda items. I thought this was agenda items. They are out of order. Ma'am You as the mayor, you need to take control of Pahokee. You're out of order now. This is for agenda items only, ma'am. You're out of order. Just Just continue to talk. Sir I need to have You're out of order, Ms. Aiken. You're talking. I need both of these removed from this chamber. They continue You're interrupting. You're interrupting. I'm asking you to leave.

God bless you. Are there any more comments, clerk?

No, sir. Thank you, ma'am. Next on our agenda will be presentation. We have three presentation and I'll have the city uh manager introduce the presenter as they come forward. Let me Let me Let me do this right. Proclamation, we have three proclamation. First proclamation is I'll have our city attorney read it into the records. Yes, Mr. Mayor. The first proclamation reads, whereas the city of Pahokee recognizes that mental health is an essential part of the overall health and well-being affecting how we think, feel, and act and navigate the complexities of life. And whereas trauma is a widespread experience that can have profound and lasting effects on physical, emotional, and social health, particularly with within communities that have faced systemic challenges of historical hardships. And whereas trauma-informed care is a compassionate framework that shifts the conversation from what is wrong with you to what happened to you, prioritizing safety, trustworthiness, and empowerment

for all residents. And in our Glades community of people being more acceptive to getting help. And so, we want to make sure that we encourage that um not only just for individuals, but for community at large. One of the things we don't realize that how we live our life can have a significant impact on us, whether it's positive or negative. And so, we want to let you know that we are planning several activities for the month of May. Um one of the things that I see we have members from the school board here. Uh we're going on May 18th, we're doing a film screening and documentary. It's called The Mask You Live In and it addresses issues about young boys and men um and dealing with what is what it is to be um masculine and how to address toxic masculinity. And then on May 6th, we're also doing a community health presentation at at Lakeside Medical Center where we're going to be talking about some of the health outreach efforts that are happening in the Glades. That's going to be at 5:30. Um this is going to show all of the collaborative outreach work that we've been doing with FAU um Empower Healthcare, American Heart Association, um Diabetes Coalition. So, we've been doing a lot of work in the Glades because one of the things we realize, if your if your your mental health affects your physical health. So, if you're not able to address those issues and they are connected. So, um if you can come out and support our events uh for the month of May, I'll make sure that the city clerk gets those flyers and then you can go to Healthier Glades Facebook page and we have them posted there as well. Thank you. City Commission, if you would join me down on the floor to present this proclamation uh to this organization.

Yes. Oh, you got it. Oh. Thank you, Miss. We'll take a photo after I read the proclamation. I have our vice mayor officially presenting proclamation. So, as this proclamation has already been read into the record, uh it is indeed an honor to recognize your organization for the health uh issues that you guys are addressing. And we do give you all of our support. And we ask that you continue to support us in these areas of our community. Uh as you said, your mental health addiction facility. So, we definitely want to do presentation on behalf of the city of Pahokee and our commission. Thank you. THANK YOU.

[applause]

THANK YOU ALL. UH BEFORE I TAKE MY SEAT, I ALSO WANT TO share two more things if that's okay. It's very brief. Um number one, um I'm working closely with Miss Bolden with um Bolden Community Impact Market calendars for June 6th. That's going to be the male empowerment and community health event. Um this is about what, the fourth year that we've been doing it, Miss Bolden? And this is focusing strictly on men's health. So, if you're interested in um participating, it will be in Pahokee at Pahokee Elementary School Cafeteria. And then on also on the same day on June 6th, it's the Senior Citizens Prom, um which will be held at Lakeshore Middle School. We're still working out the details, but it will be at Lakeshore Middle School in the evening. So, there will be a couple of things that'll be happening in the month of June that I will make sure that the city clerk get that information. Thank you. Thank you. We'll have our city attorney read the second proclamation. The second proclamation reads, whereas the city of Pahokee recognizes April as Second Chance Month, a time to acknowledge the importance of supporting individuals returning from incarceration and providing pathways to successful reintegration. And whereas successful re-entry strengthens families, reduces recidivism, and contributes to safer, more resilient communities. And whereas People of Purpose has established the first comprehensive peer-driven re-entry program serving the western region and Palm Beach County of Palm Beach County offering mentorship, housing support,

workforce development, and life skill training. And whereas this initiative brings hope, structure, and opportunity to individuals seeking to rebuild their lives with dignity and purpose. Now, therefore, I Keith W. Babb Jr., mayor of the city of Pahokee, Florida, on behalf of the city commission, do hereby proclaim April 2026 as Second Chance Month and proudly recognizes and celebrates the grand opening of the People of Purpose Re-entry Program, encouraging all residents, businesses, and community partners to support efforts to promote restoration, opportunity, and second chances for all. In official recognition whereof, I hereunto set my hand and seal and cause the seal of Pahokee to be affixed to this 28th day of April um Mayor Keith W. Babb Jr., Vice Mayor Isabel J. McDonald, Commissioner Sanqueta Cowan Williams, Commissioner Everett D. McPherson Sr., and Commissioner James H. Scott. Thank you, city attorney. Do we have any organization from the Second Chance Program? I'm not with People of Purpose, but he is one of my um community partners that I support. He's preparing for his upcoming um grand opening on this Thursday, April 30th, um at 1079 South Main Street, right where the CareerSource building is in Belle Glade. He has an office there. And this is a real huge accomplishment because we now have um services that are directly in the Glades for residents who are returning after um being incarcerated. Usually, what would happen is they're incarcerated, they have to go all the way to West Palm Beach to get services, and then but they live out here. So, by him having a physical site here, it'll be more easily accessible for folks to access those services. I don't need to have a picture. I'll just take it on his behalf. I'm saving y'all. Yeah. Okay.

Mhm. [applause]

On behalf of the mayor and the Pahokee City Commission, thank you. Thank you. And we'll have the city attorney read the third proclamation. Yes, Mr. Mayor, Vice Mayor, Commissioners. This is a very special proclamation, and I will read and it reads, whereas District 6 School Board Member Marsha Andrews has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to education, leadership, and community achievement throughout the Glades region and Palm Beach County. And whereas Miss Andrews was elected to Palm Beach County School Board representing District 6 in 2010 and was subsequently reelected in 2014, 2018, and 2022, REFLECTING THE CONTINUED TRUST

[applause]

REFLECTING THE CONTINUED trust and confidence of the community she serves. And whereas Miss Andrews has served with distinction as Vice Mayor, Vice Chair of the School Board providing leadership and advocacy on behalf of students, families, and educators. And whereas recognizing the unique needs of the Glades region, Miss Andrews established a School Board Members Satellite Office in 2012 to ensure greater accessibility and direct engagement with residents. Miss Andrews has been instrumental in expanding educational opportunities in the Glades throughout through her support of the opening of the Grove Elementary School in 2013 as well as Glade New View Elementary School and Rosenwald Elementary School in 2015. And whereas Miss Andrews supported the reopening of the West Technical Education Center in Belle Glade strengthening workforce development and career training opportunities for residents. And whereas Miss Andrews established the Glades Career Readiness Round Table, a collaborative initiative focused on meeting the academic and career readiness needs of both students and adults in the Glades region. And whereas under her leadership and vision, the Glades Readiness Round Table has secured more than 12 million in funding to support programs and opportunities [applause and cheering] to support programs and opportunities that benefit the Glades community. And whereas throughout her distinguished career, Miss Andrews has recruited thousands of employees to the Palm Beach County School District contributing to the growth and success of the educational system. And whereas Miss Andrews has further demonstrated her

commitment to the community through her service as a member of the Glades Tri-Cities Education Board and her ongoing advocacy for education equity and opportunity. And whereas the city of Pahokee recognizes Miss Andrews as a steadfast champion for education, Excuse me. [laughter]

as a steadfast champion for education, a dedicated public servant, and a transformative leader whose efforts have positively impacted generations of residents in the Glades region. Now, therefore, I Keith W. Babb Jr., mayor of the city of Pahokee, Florida, on behalf of the city commission, I do hereby honor and recognize Miss Marsha Andrews for her outstanding contributions, leadership, and unwavering dedication to improving education and expanding opportunities in the Glades region. And I And be it further proclaimed that the city of Pahokee extends its deepest gratitude and appreciation for her service and commends her for the lasting legacy she continues to build in our community. In official recognition whereof, I hereunto set my seal and cause the seal of Pahokee to be affixed this 28th day of April 2026, Mayor Keith W. Babb Jr., Vice Mayor Isabel J. McDonald, Commissioner Sanqueta Cowan Williams, Commissioner Everett D. McPherson Sr. and Commissioner James H. Scott. Congratulations. To the commission FOR JOINING ME. [applause]

[applause]

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES GIVE out the Presidential Medal of Honor. Our highest honor in the city of Pahokee is a key to the city of Pahokee and a proclamation. It is my honor to say that Ms. Andrews have won both of those honors. [applause]

MS. ANDREWS HAS RETURNED. I'm going to tell you, I don't know who's going to fall in her footsteps, but it's going to be a difficult difficult job. I just hope that whoever precede her just look at their footprints in the sand and try to follow them as close as possible because she won't be replaced by any means. She have been a champion not only to the city of Pahokee, but the entire Glades region. [applause]

Not only in education, but community service. I remember, I gave, I believe, since I've been here for 10 years as the mayor, only three keys to the city. And normally, key to the city mean that you don't have to call as a courtesy to the mayor or even to the city and say, "I'll be in the community." You earn that honor. You don't have to knock on the door and ask and tell us you'll be here. You have a key to our city. So, our door is always and always open to you. So, on behalf of our city commission, Commissioner Scott, Commissioner Williams, Commissioner McPherson, Commissioner uh McDonald, along with our city manager, our city clerk, and our entire city staff, we want to congratulate you, Ms. Andrews, for all that you have done for the city of Pahokee and this community and the Glades region as a whole. We love you. We know you'll never be replaced, but we always will remember you for all that you have done. So, AS MOUNT ZION

[applause]

COMMISSION TO YOU. Before I begin, I'd like to ask all of the principals, the teachers, uh community leaders that have been working with me in the Glades for the past 16 years to stand. I know you're in here cuz I see you. Whatever capacity that [applause] you have worked in within the district of the school district of Palm Beach County, I want you to stand [applause] and I thank you. And I'd like to say, uh please stay standing because you don't do this work by yourself. It's all because of the team here in Pahokee and the Glades region to make it happen. To our mayor, Mayor Keith Babb, our vice mayor, Mrs. McDonald, all of the commissioners, welcome. Ms. Bryant, who's been working with the Glades Career Readiness Roundtable, all of the commissioners, uh the city uh attorney, the clerk, I thank you. I love you all very much. You only gave me 5 minutes, but please indulge me for a few minutes tonight because I just want to tell you, back in 2008-9, I came to Pahokee and I joined the Tri-Cities Education Committee with Ms. Ally Biggs. Are you in here, Ms. Ally

Biggs? And I want you to clap for Ms. Ally Biggs. She was my mentor. She was my mentor. [applause] And Diane Walker, uh if you can think back, these are my people. THEY'RE NOT HERE [applause]

TONIGHT, BUT THEY'RE MY PEOPLE. When I came and asked you to allow me to help you back in the day when I retired in 2008, and you said, "Yes, come on in." And I came to all of the Tri-Cities meetings. We sat right up here. And we handled the business of education. And you all said to me, "I want you to run for the school board." I says, "Well, you know, I'm not a politician." But you said, "You can do it. We're behind you. Pahokee has your back." And I says, "Okay." And I did. Back in 2010, I won that election. It was very close because at that time it was so gerrymandered all the way to Boca Raton, but we won it because God was in the plan. And when I look back and I see the mayors, I see a lot of my friend. I see you, Mr. Babb. I see Calvin Walls. I see JP. I worked with all of them. And I've been in this room so many times to count to know that love is here. I love this city. This city loves the community. And it truly is all about the community and the schools. I bring a thank you from the superintendent, Superintendent Michael Burke, and all seven school board members. But I'm proud. Uh Ms. Williams, Commissioner Williams, you're my my baby. You're my teacher that I brought in back in the day. And I look in the audience and I see principals. I see regional superintendents and instructional superintendents back in the day with 51 years in education, I did that recruiting. I was a teacher. I was a principal. And I was a chief of human resources. So, I was able to hire people back in the day. And what I wanted to do for the Glades region is to make sure that we hired the best teachers, the best leaders that were committed to our community. District 6 is a big district. It covers all the way to Lantana and the turnpike all the way right here to Canal Point. But in this region, the Glades region, Ms. Angela Moore, OUR REGION SUPERINTENDENT,

[applause]

WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT know the streets of Pahokee, Belle Glade, South Bay, and Canal Point. I look back there and I see the principal of Canal Point. I recruited her way back in the day. And now she's the principal of your great school, which is WHICH IS NEW PAVILION, WHICH [applause] IS NEW PAVILION. And then we said, we looked at Rosenwald Elementary School and and Glade View and Grove, which had been deteriorating for so long and the closing of West Tech, you said, "Get it done." Pahokee told me to get it done. And God said, "You can do it." And we did it. And I promise you that with this retirement after 51 years in education, I'm coming back. You're not going to say I'm going to sit down and not be it. I'm coming to these meetings. I'm coming to help the mayors and the commissioners. I'm going to come to help you, Ms. Bryant. You've been helping me as a school board member. Now it's time for me to bring the knowledge and expertise that I learned for 51 years, 35 in education, and 16 as your school board member, it's time for me, Mayor Babb, to come back and give some more support and assistance to my community, the community that I love. And you gave me the key, Mayor Babb, years ago. It sits in my house. I look at it. I says, "I've got the key to Pahokee, so you belong to me." And I belong to you. And God is good all the time. And I want to just I want to shout out to the to the principals and team in Pahokee. You've been right on it, helping our families in the apartment complex to make sure our students had everything that they needed. We're on those phone calls with the county because when something happens to one of us, it happens to all of us. And we come together to make sure we correct things, to make sure we don't leave people behind. So, the passion you see me with tonight is not a retirement uh it's not it's not about retiring

anywhere. God still gives me energy. Pahokee, the city of Pahokee, to love you, to work with you, and support you. I saw Ms. Biggs when she was coming out and I said, "You know, you welcomed me when I first came, right in this room." Different people sitting in these chairs, but right here. And God is waking me up every morning to say there's something to do. And I promise you, uh Attorney Roberts and Ms. Moore and all of you. I see my friends out there. You may not be waving. I know you, and I may not remember everybody's name now because I'm getting a little older and Mr. Andrews I've been with you for 54 years and you said you'll drive me. And you DRIVE ME TO PAHOKEE IF I need [applause] to get here. So I'm coming back to do the work and there may be somebody sitting in the seat but they need to learn something too and believe me whoever sits in this seat I'm going to be right there to support them to make sure they don't miss a beat. You got to be on the ground in the community, loving the people, working with our students academically. Our A-rated Pahokee Elementary, OUR ASSISTANT

[applause]

AND MR. DWAYNE DENARD who has one of the top schools in Palm Beach County, [applause] Pahokee Middle Senior High School. Absolutely and when we think about all of the academic progress it's because of our teachers. Teachers mean everything to me. This is where I started. It starts in the classroom. We're going to pay our teachers, believe me, if I have anything to do with it. We're going to PAY OUR TEACHERS AND WE'RE GOING TO BE IN THESE SCHOOLS TO make sure our kids are educated because many years from now they're going to be sitting where you're sitting and I want to make sure that they're educated and ready to take the helm to do the things that need to be done. So this proclamation means everything to me. I'm so happy tonight and blessed that Ms. Bryant who's come to all of the round table meetings. She is always there. I think you're going to be great here. I'm going to work right beside you and I see Peggy back there. I was on your conference call today. You did a great job. We're going to take care of the people because none of us we don't know what could happen to any of us on any given day and everybody has to come together when the least of us have a problem to pick them up and let them know that they're going to be okay and that's what Pahokee is about because you picked me up when I was just over here figuring out what I wanted to do and after 51 years I've got a lot to offer and I promise you I will be back. Thank you. God is good all the time and I'm glad to be a part of the Pahokee family and thank you for the key and the proclamation and I promise you I will never let you down. I'll use it with respect and dignity to take Pahokee, the city of Pahokee to great heights. Thank you all SO MUCH FOR

[applause] [applause]

NOW WE'LL MOVE TO OLD BUSINESS, discussion of existing activities of previously held uh events if any. Consent agenda. Huh?

Consent agenda. At this time I move for the approval of the consent agenda unless there uh commission want any item may be pulled for discussion. Mayor Babb, I move that we accept the minutes for March 24th, April 6th and April 14th as printed. Second. It has been moved by Commissioner Williams and properly seconded by Commissioner McPherson for the adoption of the consent agenda. Uh Call for questions. Hearing none, are you ready for a vote? Roll call, Madam Clerk. Commissioner Calvin Williams. Yes. Commissioner McPherson. Yes. Commissioner Scott. Yes. Vice Mayor McDonald. Yes. Mayor Babb.

[clears throat]

Yes. Thank you, Madam 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, do you have any old business you'd like to discuss? There's none. Thank you, ma'am. Now we'll move to our resolution. We have two, three four resolutions. First resolution we have our city attorney read it into the record. A resolution of the City Commission of the City of Pahokee, Florida updating the designation of the City of Pahokee's voting delegate and alternates to the Palm Beach County League of Cities Inc. As set forth here to in exhibit A, providing for adoption of representations, providing for conflicts and providing for an effective date. Thank you, City Attorney. City Manager, could you give us a brief explanation of this rift resolution? The City Clerk is going to handle that one. City Clerk. So what this item does, um once it's approved, it allows us to provide an updated um voter delegate and um alternates to the Palm Beach County League of Cities. They have recommended that both elected officials and staff serve. So that's what you have before you for consideration. Resolution has been properly read into the minutes by our city attorney, properly explained by city uh clerk. What's your pleasure? I move that we accept resolution 2026-14. I'll second.

It has been moved and seconded. Call for questions. Hearing none, are you ready for a vote? Roll call, Madam Clerk. Commissioner McPherson. Yes. Commissioner Wayla Calvin Williams. Yes. Commissioner Scott. Yes. Vice Mayor McDonald. Yes. Mayor Babb. Yes. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Thank you, Commissioners. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Next we have resolution 2026-15. City Attorney. A resolution of the City Commission of the City of Pahokee, Florida amending the signatories for various bank accounts of the City of Pahokee at PNC Bank NA recognizing Brenda Bryant, City Manager, as an additional signatory, removing Tammy Bussey as a signatory, authorizing city officials to execute all necessary documents to comport with this resolution and with PNC banking requirements, providing for adoption of representations, providing for an effective date. Thank you, City Attorney. City Clerk, just give us an ex- Oh, City Manager, can you give us an explanation? Thank you so much, Mr. Mayor. The signatures were were changed at the bank um on PNC to ensure that the city's finances could be signed, the checks could be signed properly and everything is recorded um properly at the bank. Staff recommends approval. Thank you. City Commission, having heard resolution 2026-15 properly read into the minutes by our city attorney, properly explained by city manager, what is your preference? I move that we accept resolution 2026-15. I'll second. It [snorts] has been moved by Commissioner McPherson and properly seconded by Commissioner Williams for the adoption of resolution 2026-15. Call for questions.

Hearing none, are you ready for a vote? Roll call, Madam Clerk. Commissioner McPherson. Yes. Commissioner Calvin Williams. Yes. Commissioner Scott. Yes. Vice Mayor McDonald. Yes. Mayor Babb. Yes. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Thank you, Commissioners. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Next we have resolution 2026-16. City Attorney. A resolution of the City Commission of the City of Pahokee, Florida amending the city's personnel manual to update the ethics training policy, providing for adoption of representations, providing for conflicts and providing for an effective date. Thank you, City Attorney. City Manager, could you give us a brief explanation? Yes, the City Clerk will. She's handling it. City Clerk, could you give us a brief explanation? So what this item does is that allows for us to update um the ethics training inside of the personnel manual. There will be no other updates to it. It reassigns the uh responsibility to the office of the City Clerk since um that's something that normally the clerk would handle and just establish some timelines as well as um anything that may be uh conflicting we have updated that accordingly. So that's what you have before you. Thank you. City Commission, having heard resolution 2026-16 properly read into the minutes by our city attorney, properly explained by city clerk, what is your preference? Mayor Babb, I move that we accept resolution 2026-16. Second. It has been moved by Commissioner Williams and properly seconded by Commissioner McPherson for the adoption of resolution 20 26-16. Call for questions. Hearing none, are you ready for a vote? Roll call, Madam Clerk. Commissioner Calvin Williams. Yes. Commissioner McPherson. Yes. Commissioner Scott. Yes. Vice Mayor

McDonald. Yes. Mayor Babb. Yes. Thank you, City Clerk. Thank you, Commissioners. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Our next and final resolution is resolution 2026-17. City Attorney. A resolution of the City Commission of the City of Pahokee, Florida, approving a contract with Brenda L. Bryant pertaining to the position of City Manager for the City of Pahokee, providing for adoption of representations, providing for an effective date. Thank you, City Attorney. City Clerk, could you give us an explanation of this resolution?

Let me get the City Manager on this. I'll do this. All right. Yes. Um so, this is an an item that is brought to you because every time you all appoint a permanent um City Manager, you do enter into a contract with them. This contract was is similar to one that at least the majority of you have um reviewed when you reviewed the previous um City Manager contract and that was Mr. Jackson's contract. The thing here um that you want to pay attention to um is the uh is the salary here and Ms. Bryant has said that um she would stay within what the advertisement had been. So, I did highlight that as under Section 5, so there will be discussion there, but um obviously the other items are open for your review, but they are consistent um for the most part with um with Mr. Jackson's contract. I think there was one one or two minor um changes and one of them had to do with um um Ms. Bryant understandably wanting to receive health care benefits as soon as possible and um and so, the language is put in here for it to be within um within 30 days or as soon as the carrier would provide coverage. But outside of that, I think everything else is pretty consistent. Before we move to discussion, I'll get a motion and second and open it up for discussion. At that point, we can then take a look at whatever uh salary we need to adopt if that's an issue. I don't know

if that was one of the concerns. Well, that's just an issue you all will have to because it's blank right now.

Okay. So, you'll have to have discussion on the highlighted area, but um but that everything else is, you know, consistent with your last um couple of contracts. Okay. I move that we accept resolution 2026-17. I'll second. It has been moved by Commissioner McFeerse and Anne Prophet seconded by Commissioner uh Williams for the adoption of resolution 2026-17. Call for questions. I think we have a issue for the salary was blank. If I'm not mistaken, I believe the job was advertised for 100,000 in the paper. Uh we have had the last two, I believe, uh previous City Managers uh started at 120,000. However, uh we did have our first uh beginning with Chandler Weatherspoon started at 100,000. So, that just give you just some background. Good. Mr. Mayor, it was um the advertisement was 120,000. Okay. Okay. I'm sorry. I thought I saw 120. I'm going to say 100 and 100,000. So, that's that would be fine. So, the the advertisement was for 120. I certainly have no problem with that and I would support that as advertised. Additional questions from the Commission. I'll support 120,000. Vice Mayor Who's asked to speak? I was just going to say that um what we needed to clarify was um the effective date of um the health benefit.

Yeah, but this was a need to clarify too because that wasn't in the resolution. The amount, she left that blank, so that's why I addressed that first to make sure everyone was on board with whatever was advertised and uh And to the Vice Mayor's comment, it's it's in here. I just wanted to let you know that was a change, but it the language is in here that Ms. Bryant is um accepting of. It's under Section 6. Okay. So, the only change that was made um where it says it should should commence on the first day of the month following full-time employment. So, normally it benefits occur on the first of the month. So, that is to to just go in line with that. Okay. Any Any other questions from the Commission? Seeing none, are you ready for a vote? Roll call, Madam Clerk. Commissioner McFeerse. Yes. Commissioner Calvin Williams. Yes. Commissioner Scott. Yes. Vice Mayor McDonald. Yes. Mayor Baxter. Yes. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Thank you.

Just for clarity, you just accept the resolution 2026-17 with the salary of 120,000 120,000. Yes. Resolution passed by unanimous vote. Next, we have new business presentation by the City Manager of activities of upcoming events, if any. At the last meeting, Mayor um Commissioner McFeerse asked for an update on the situation with the Parker building and so, I have an update for that. And I've written out the brief as to where we are. Ms. Boulay-Washington and I have been been on the weekly and sometimes bi-weekly Zoom meetings with the county staff, Palm Beach County agencies, including agencies from the Glades area as well as the cities of Belle Glade and South Bay. Uh to ensure that the 40 displaced Pahokee residents receive all available support. Also included to offer their support and resources were Senator Gail Harrell, which is the Senator for Pahokee, Mayor Sarah Baxter and Representative Matt Willensteiner Reinberger. They um all 40 residents have been placed in housing and the representatives, the mayors, and the senators have offered their full support to whatever Pahokee needs to ensure that we rectify the situation and make sure that it never happens again. Um additionally, Commissioner McFeerse, Ms. Jefferson, and I attended the the Board of County Commission meetings this morning to address actions that are being taken on the Parker building. I was given the opportunity to address

the Board of County Commissioners. Um a couple of the highlights that I shared included, cuz it was two pages of information that was presented, so I just want to give you the highlights. One of them in um stated the City of Pahokee is treating this matter with the highest level of urgency, accountability, and in and intention. We recognize the serious seriousness of what has occurred and we are committed not only to addressing the situation, but ensuring that it is not repeated. The city is finalizing comprehensive timeline of all prior actions related to this property. Additionally Additionally, we are implementing targeted improvements on code enforcement matters for similar properties. These actions have already started and will include establishing a more proactive and data-driven approach to identifying properties that may threaten the residents' safety and quality of life. Enhancing The second was enhancing coordination and operational alignments across code enforcement, building building, planning, and zoning to ensure timely, consistent, and effective enforcements. Third, updating the code of ordinance to allow the special magistrate to act more swiftly in taking actions when an unsafe structure is identified. And lastly, um to formalize a communication protocol with Palm Beach County to ensure early notification of emerging issues allowing for coordination, protection, invention um intervention rather than reacting to the issue. These are not These are not concern I'm sorry. These are not conceptual ideas.

They are actual steps already in progress reflecting a deliberate shift towards stronger oversight and accountability. Thank you for your time and your continuous support. Following the presentation of the county administrator, Mr. Joseph Abruzzo, Abruzzo, offered his support as well and provided other suggestions that he would help and how he would help out. So, throughout this process, everyone has jumped on board. They've helped out on those webinars. It was about 40 agencies on there. Every agency in Palm Beach County has been helping and they've been moving and putting these individuals and making sure that they have housing. Some have permanent housing as well and they're continuing to give them services, financial, fortitude, as well as managing money money, as well as preparing for for home ownership. So, they're on board, they're helping. There was another conference call today and we'll probably have about one or two more before their job is done and then we're moving on to the next job. Thank you. Okay. Next on our agenda is the report of the mayor. I want to first start by thanking uh previous interim city manager, Tammy Bursick, for her work that she done had done for the the past uh 6 months. I thank her for her service. Secondly, I want to congratulate uh new city manager,

Brenda Bryant, for being selected our city manager. I think we have a [clears throat]

well-qualified individual with a number of years of experience in governmental entities and I think that she would do well. City manager, I believe probably next to the mayor is probably one of the most scrutinized position within this city. Even when I'm not responsible for an item or area, because my title is the mayor, I'm more likely going to be at fault or be accused of being at fault by a good majority of peoples. So, I know she has a difficult job ahead of her and I certainly extend all of my efforts in helping her to be successful and I'm assured that the Cotoda community, as well as this commission, uh feel the same way. I know we had some issues or concerns uh in the community with the Parker building. That was not and is not a city property. We don't own the building, in other words. However, all hands going to be pointed at the city because it's within our community. And that may be so,

but I think that personally, from my observation, that code enforcement did its due diligence to help reach a conclusion that that building was unsafe and was unlivable and that's why it was condemned. And I think that there was a lot of involvement by peoples within the community and outside of community, as well as our staff, working to ensure that those individuals were safely moved, whether permanent or temporarily, in a more suitable and safe environment. Code enforcement cannot identify everything and this is not the first time this issue came up. This building concerns have been addressed on numerous occasion. And when you go before code enforcement, you have a special magistrate and sometime that individual decide to give a landlord a little more time to make improvements and sometime that further put the process of condemning the building and whatever you need to do behind. And those are some of the things that happened in that situation. But I think our staff, as far as I know, did all they can and we was even criticized and and I'm thinking now that even the county mayor is on board, but we was threatened with having our code enforcement uh funds that the county was supporting through a

grant taken away. That was her first recommendation. And she mentioned the fact that she couldn't reach city leaders. I'm not sure who city leaders is. Maybe it's just the mayor. Maybe she was trying to reach the city manager. I don't know who she called city leaders. I went through the assumption that maybe she called it on my city issue cell phone. And since I had that phone at least a year, I have never ever deleted one call, whether it's a prank call, whether it was a condemnation call or whatever it was, I never deleted a call and I didn't see one call from her. I don't know if she called the city staff and asked them to reach out to the mayor saying she couldn't reach the mayor, but I hadn't spoken to her on that. But second to that, I hope that she is and I believe basically she is because I believe our city manager and our economic director had an opportunity to talk to her prior to the board meeting, but I know that was one of her recommendation that she was going to move forward. Hopefully, she didn't get to that point and I now heard that the administrator, the county administrator, is on board and willing to assist whatever uh he can. But just for the public would know, code enforcement can only ride through town and see things as occurring. They cannot come into a person or they shouldn't come into a person's home unless there is a

noted code enforcement violation that they have been uh informed of and they can come in and maybe inspect that uh possible violation. But it's just to ride around the community unless the residents themselves come with a complaint and say my toilet had been broken or my electrician electricity doesn't work uh my windows is out. We wouldn't know of the numerous of complaints or issues involved in that particular building. But we hopefully will get a system where we'll be able to maybe inspect special like tenants and and landlords property on a annual basis and so we may be able to counter some of the negativity that we have received. I just wanted to mention that. And that conclude my report. Next, we'll move to the report of the city manager. We have one report, the National Day of Prayer, which is Tuesday, May 5th, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. And we are asking everyone to join us. It will be on the marina. And if you have any questions, you can contact 561-924- 5534, which is the city hall. So, if you could please spread the word and there are flyers as well on the back table.

[clears throat]

Next, we have the report of the city attorney again. Yeah, yes, Mr. Mayor, uh Vice Mayor, Commissioners, um on the issue of Parker building, um I know that at least one of the county administrators or assistant administrators mentioned that they had reached out to the city attorney's office. I can tell you that I too have not received any calls from the county, neither my cell phone nor my office, and I just want to make that very clear. Um, um, so nobody reached out to me at all from the county. Um, I have had a number of conversations with the the city over a period of years. Um, I've made code uh recommendations and suggestions as to what could be tweaked in our code to make it a little bit easier to have um the magistrate be able to enforce uh without a lot of um what I think maybe unnecessary meetings like coming before the city commission and so forth. Um, the first and I do have the emails which I sent uh Ms. Bryant, but I do have a meeting um Ms. Ms. Bryant and um the Ms. Polanco on Friday and we're going to be going over some of the code provisions. So, I will tell you that the city manager is right on top of things. I will also tell you that there is a long history dealing with these two um dealing with the two owners, not just the current owner, but also the owner before this owner with the Parker building where the city has gone out. The city has done a number of things to cite, take before over and over and over again before the um the um special magistrate. The issue um which it seems to be a consistent issue is that once people move into the building, even though it's in uh the deplorable, dilapidated conditions, um you know, people need housing then the landlord who is not taking it doesn't seem like the the fingers should really be pointed more so on the landlord, but nobody's really talking about that. People are talking about the city of

Pahokee which is so unfortunate because as I see this issue unfold over weeks, it looks like, you know, the city is the bad guy when really, you know, it it it it's not so much the city. The city is not a social services organization. It's good that people are reaching out and helping, but you know, that is not the city's place. It's really the landlord which should be responsible for, you know, making sure that they're keeping um a condition of this building in a safe um condition. And and and that's that's really the issue. And so, I listened to um some of the conversations that the county has been having on it. It sounds like the county does realize that this is a more widespread issue than just the city of Pahokee. It looks like they're looking to establish a database of some sort where people can report um landlord um activity in terms of what the landlords are doing or not doing or or unsafe conditions and and then the um the county would then turn that information over to the cities. Um, so there are things, you know, we're going to work on. We're going to uh work together, Ms. Bryant and I, on the things that we can do here. Um, but you know, at some point I I think the residents have to recognize that um you know, landlords uh first of all, affordable housing [clears throat] is just difficult at this time. Finding affordable safe housing is an issue throughout this state. It's not just the city of Pahokee. This became a news event, but the reality is these buildings, especially with the new laws and so forth that have to go into effect with the inspections that have to be done so many years, this is opening a lot of people's eyes that a lot of buildings are in in in bad shape. It just happens to be that, you know, we got to be in the news, but I do want you to know that we'll be working to do whatever we can to try to um you know, not only this building, but look at I know they already have a list

of other buildings that have been identified. I know also that there is um uh and and Ms. Bryant will be getting it out to you um sometime soon. Uh show you the long list of violations and code enforcement hearings that pertain to this building with both of the owners. So, um you know, it's it's obviously it's not a good thing that it's gotten to this point, but please know that I I don't think at any I I don't believe that this should fall on the shoulders of the city um in terms of being in a bad light. So, that's all I say about that, but we'll be working on it. And I would say this too. I know the county was in a similar situation where the Joe Louis Avenue project uh apartment had the same problems. They eventually was able to condemn that building, was able to tear it down and and that's been 3 years ago, but they hadn't rebuilt. They have land. They have the resource and the finance to do it. I'm just asking maybe just for the area as a whole to glaze, that could be additional uh housing proper housing, suitable housing for people to live in. And they had a difficult time reaching the steps that they took to even to condemn the building, to foreclose on it, but nothing have been done since then. And I'm also wondering whether or not we can look at some of their ordinances they have, strong ordinances that we can penalize or punish, I hate to use the word punish, but that's what I'm really saying, the landlord landlord for letting the property get to that point, take it, foreclose it, and then be able maybe to sell it or put it out on RFP RFP for a suitable

uh vendor to come in and build affordable apartments or housing. Well, there there are um Mayor, some, you know, legal issues obviously because there are ownership issues. I mean, even with the demolition, uh if the city went that far because it is it it's I heard somebody say it's condemned. And if that is the case and it can meet demolition requirements if ordered, um even that would still keep the property in the um landlord's um ownership. So, then then you have the issue of and I was telling Ms. Bryant recently too, we need to find out from the county if they have CDB D CDBG dollars available for demolition which sometimes happens with um cities. They do give that kind of money for cities. Um so, you know, because you got to figure out even if you demolish it, it it's still going to be the owner's ownership.

foreclose on it and take the property, then it's yours.

That's if you that's if they have enough liens that have accumulated and you can and you foreclose on it and it's it makes sense. Like a lot of times there may be second mortgages, there may be, you know, all kinds of things. You you don't you don't know what you're getting into when you, you know, when you just foreclose on it. So, it has to make you know, you have to do the due diligence in terms of looking at the um you know, the lien history and and and figuring that out. So, that's a longer process. Cities aren't normally in the business of foreclosing on stuff unless they know, you know, they they're going to get it's going to be um money at the end of it and you're not going to then owe, you know, their first mortgage or second mortgage or it's it's a little bit trickier, but

Okay. I'm going to allow Ms. Bryant And so, in speaking with the mayor and also um the county administrator, they have offered whatever we need. And so, we're taking them up. I have not said no to anything. Every time they offer, of course, we need your help. And so, uh even today the county administrator offered to um share with us the plans that they have, their ordinance and everything else because they had to tighten theirs up. And that could be a model for us that we can use to see how they did it and what they did. We may be able to use some of the same language or we may be able to to um may have to change it, but at least we have a model that the county has used to do to um to make those changes. Um as well with the mayor, um Mayor Baxter also offered whatever we need. And even though that letter came out, I spoke with her about the letter that came out um talking about removing some of the funding um um which will support our code enforcement. And so, she said of course, she doesn't want to do that. But when I shared with her our plans and what we're going to do, then they all turned around because they they just wanted to know that we had a plan of action, that we were going to do something. And so, I shared that with them. We have the timeline already completed. We are reviewing that now before we release it to anyone. It went back to 2018 to current on all the activities that have occurred in the city of Pahokee just with the Parker buildings. Um so, we have all of that information and and even today all of the county um um the county commissioners were on board. They were listening. They were happy that we were there to share with them what's happening and what our plans are to move forward. And so, that is where we are. They're all on board uh right now. And so, we just want to keep the momentum going. We're breaking this up

into different phases as well because it is large. And so, it's a it's a lengthy process. One of the phases is also um they've offered their legal help as well so that we can also look from a legal perspective at the landlord, the owner of the building, so we can use the full force of the law that's possible to also hold them accountable for all of these things. So, there are different phases that we're working on, but the first phase is to make sure that our residents who were displaced are safe, they have everything they need, and that process is almost complete. Then we work with the next group of individuals. And so, at the end of the day, we should have a stronger process, so a stronger ordinance. And that was one of the things that the mayor asked, and she was happy when that was stated as well. Yeah, I'm going to go right back to you, city attorney. This is for a legal question. Uh

[clears throat]

as a representative of the city of Pahokee, I'm the mayor. I've been slandered in this community by individuals who are portraying false information out, and I'm contemplating strongly about filing a lawsuit against those individuals. I've been called a pedophile, a child molester, going with my daughter in public, at this meeting, on live events. So, I'm just asking, is this something would be covered under the uh responsibility as a mayor, or this would need to be a personal uh liability suit I need to file? Uh yes, sir. I believe it would need to be a personal liable suit, or it could be a slander suit, or both. Um and um if there is something that is stated that is not true, and um a letter would need to be sent. I'm not obviously your personal lawyer, but you have to under Florida statutes, there's a notice letter that you would have to send to um the person. And um and subsequent to that, um you would be free to um uh file a lawsuit. Personally. My intent would be to do that strongly, as speedily as I can. Thank you. Next we have future agenda items of the commission, if any, and I'll start with Commissioner McPherson. No. Thank you, sir. Vice Mayor McDonald. So, I'll I'll be as brief as I can, but

I do have a couple of items that I would like for us to consider on the future agenda. Uh one of them being, I talked briefly with our city manager on yesterday with regards to reopening our Chamber of Commerce. And um I didn't get to meet with um the guidance counselor on yesterday, but I went back today and met with them, and they're on board with helping out um with providing the students uh as proteges, so that they can learn uh municipal government, and also um receive um community service credits for their participation in that. And so, um obviously, it's in the in the planning stages, but everybody's um including myself, uh we're really excited about offering this opportunity to our kids. Because at some point in time, we realized that when we're no longer able to serve our community in the positions that we're in, we have to train up our replacements. So, um that's the one thing um for the future agenda. And also, um I mentioned after returning from Washington, our civility pledge, and I think that um there was some um comments concerning the fact that there was already one in place. Uh so, I'm bringing it to our attention again that we revisit it, and not only have it in place, but I would like to see us act uh in accordance with um a civility pledge. Um so, that's my second item. Let's go back to the very first one about the uh Chamber of Commerce. The city don't actually run the Chamber of Commerce. That's a private uh entity, so I'm not

quite sure what what your I do understand that. Right. What what was the topic to be placed on the future agenda?

facility belongs to um the city, if I'm not mistaken. It is in need of repair. And so, um it definitely needs to be again uh inspected, and um we need the buy-in from the city in order to be able to um make this happen. Uh it's to serve as an incubator for new businesses. So, I feel it is very fitting that we um consider this on the next agenda item. Um I'm open for any suggestions and or comments that anyone might have. As a matter of fact, um I'm not taking it on as a project of my own. I I think it's something that we as a commission uh need to take on. I see that as the problem with uh things that are not happening here, is because we're not approaching it these things as a team. So, I um solicit and implore all of us to um consider um this endeavor. Okay, there's a motion, but I'm not quite sure what the motion is. You What do you want placed on the agenda? Uh consideration to um take on and reopen our Chamber of Commerce. Okay. Is there a second on that? I'll second. I I but I have a question. I'm second. Okay. It's been moved and second. Call for question, Commissioner. Just for clarity. Um Vice Mayor, the I know we have a hole in that building up there, and um the roof needs to be fixed, so I'm thinking that's what she's saying. I know we don't run the Chamber, but at least if we can get the building up and running, if someone can come in, who who you

know, whoever's going to be responsible for doing the Chamber. Cuz I um did speak to um city manager in regards to that, too, to see if there's a way we may can speak with a contractor, someone who may want to even donate services as far as getting that building fixed, cuz I know we do need a roof over there on that building. So, that's what I'm thinking. Right. Well, um I know it is budget time, and obviously, um we're going to be uh counting our pennies, but if we need to, however we need to um reach out to whomever the individuals are that can provide us the funding that we need to get this done, I I would say that that's the route that we need to take. Okay. Any additional questions? Hearing none, are you ready for a vote? Just Just so that we're clear on bringing item It's just for discussion, right? On the next day. Okay.

Right. And I guess part of that would be with the city manager putting some figures together, see if it was even feasible at this time to add it to the budget to be able to renovate that particular space for possibly use for a chamber to move into. I don't know. But just discussion, basically, right? Ready for vote? Roll call, Madam Clerk. Vice Mayor McDonald. Yes. Commissioner Calvin Williams.

Yes. Commissioner McPherson. Yes. Commissioner Scott. Yes. Mayor Babb. [clears throat] Yes. Motion passed by unanimous vote. And the second was to um re-implement our civility pledge. Okay.

And to also ensure that um we're looking at the one that I brought back from Washington, to make sure that we have addressed everything. If we need to, we can certainly uh combine the two, and um I would like to see it implemented and followed. Commissioner McDonald, that is in process now. Okay. Okay. Commissioner Williams. Um future agenda items, no? Um yes, my one item that I have is that if we can get a budget update on um to see where we are with the budget, cuz I know um we're going to be We've had some things to take place, so just to see where we are with the budget update. And Okay, so we need So, So, we're having the discussion on the budget now. We're having meetings tomorrow. Mhm. And what the finance director is doing as well is is updating the current budget, so we can see what was actually allocated and approved, what has been spent, and what is remaining. That will help us to have a balanced budget, and a more accurate budget as well. So, we're having those meetings. Okay, thanks. Commissioner Scott. I have nothing. Okay. I have two items real quick, if I can. I would like to see us move uh forward with the discussion of uh possibly uh soliciting a hotel uh vendor to come and provide some type of presentation uh to this commission about how we can go about securing a hotel in our city. Go ahead. So so update, I have been speaking with the Lord team. They've been calling. And so there's a feasible

feasibility study that is being produced now. They're working on it. And it covers all the three cities. But what they're asking for that feasibility study is $35,000. And they're asking each of the cities to donate at least $5,000. And so we will get a copy of that feasibility study which we can use on whatever we so choose. That is for a hotel in the Glades. [snorts] They've had a tour already where they toured all three areas in the Glades. And they asked for the available land so that they can tour those. So all three cities provided that a couple months ago. And so they've had that study. They're ready to move forward with a feasibility study. And who is this now? This is the Lord team. Lord, the Lake Okeechobee Resilience Association. The Lord board. The Lord board. They What they do is they they're main objective is to bring businesses to the Glades. And so they look at all three areas. I've talked to all of the commissioners about that as well. I attend the regular monthly meetings. And so they've [snorts] been working on that for a while. I do have the invoice that they sent. But they will come to the next meeting so they can present more information. And I asked them to also email it. So we have it in email. I will get that to you all. But we were not ready to present it tonight. And then with with that as well, you can either pursue your own in your own cities which some of the cities are already doing in addition to what Lord is doing as well. So you you'll have the data that you need. Because when you're looking at bringing a hotel or any business, they want to know will you sell out their hotel? Will they make money? Will they have a business in the hotel? And so that feasibility study will let them know what's going on in the city, the residents, what activities are occurring

throughout the the Glades area so that they can put their hotels. The only downside about that to me as a board is that three cities I I can see Lord and that's what they do. They work on behalf of three cities. But that's going to more than likely and I hate to say it favor a larger city with a bigger population. They haven't Not necessarily. No. They haven't done that. No. And actually they're looking and I don't want to call their names out but no, they have not. They've gone to the smallest smallest city in the area. Because they're looking at where the population where the land is and the um what will attract individuals to that and then access to that area as well. So they're they're not necessarily going to the largest area in the in the the three cities. They're not doing that. And that's what that feasibility study is for to show them exactly the population as well but then what else is going on and then the land. Where is that land and and the access to that land. And so our contribution to the feasibility study would be approximately what? $5,000. Each of the cities donating $5,000 and then there's another entity that will contribute the the remaining of the other money. So basically a staff supporting I'm saying staff you as a city manager you will bring that back to us for a vote to see if we want to move forward with that. Okay. And so and so they sent the information. I've again I spoke to all the city managers but it it came after I met with you first. And so it came and I shared that information with them as well. So there's a there's quite a few things that comes out of Lord and that

they share. They've been advertisement in Times Square in New York advertising the Glades as well to bring people up here. They are also preparing to have the state road 80 coming into the Glades. Have signs along the way to pop to publicize what the Glades does. And what they've done is they've they've partnered with the high schools and those high school students have designed that to again to get the communities involved. And they have about 45 to 50 advertisements that they have our pictures that they have from those students. So they're working on that as well. In addition to that now, we have had the Wyndham Hotel come and do a presentation here in Pahokee. And also the Better Better Business Bureau have been working to secure a hotel. So I don't know if they started doing a feasibility study. Maybe one have already have done been done. I'm not sure. I'm just It's just a possibility one have been done. I don't know. But I can support something like that. The The second one is the having staff bring back some type of proposal where we can access county to build a swimming complex here in the city. And that would be mainly at Duncan Padgett Park because they own that property. That's a county park. I know when Melissa McKinley was here as a county commissioner, she supported that idea. Belle Glade have a swimming pool there that the county own and operate. Lifeguards, all the staff, everything they pay for. All I'm asking us to do

they asking that if we act, they would help and most likely support some of our concerns or issues. Every year we got students coming going climbing the pole doing whatever they can to get into the pool at the marina. That's a liability waiting to happen. We looked at trying to do fencing and close it in a little more securely. But I saw even tapes this year. Same thing it happened. Same thing keep occurring. We need to have our own swimming pool in the city of Pahokee. We can do it. That should be our goal if if we can get it done. And I'm asking maybe we can The first step is see if the county is willing to follow up on that previous request that Melissa had made and and see if they would buy into that. And that's just for a future agenda item for discussion if we can get it done. And I'm asking for a second on that so it can be added to one of our future agenda items. I'll second. It has been moved and seconded. Call for questions. Hearing none, are you ready for a vote? Roll call, Madam Clerk. Mayor Babb. Yes. Commissioner Calvin Williams. Yes. Commissioner McPherson. Yes. Commissioner Scott. Yes. Vice Mayor McDonald. Yes. Thank you. Motion passed by unanimous vote. I want to follow up I want to just comment on I think we had talked about it previously. Yeah, Commissioner have the floor now. Uh I think we had talked about it and I think we kind of got sidetracked. We were supposed to start our um evaluation process with the clerk. So we need to put that back on the

agenda. I don't know if it needs to be sent out to all the commissioners and give us a date cuz we never did follow up on that. Okay. The evaluation of the city clerk won't get put back on the agenda so we can get the precise date and a time frame for the completion of it. And of course the the the survey of the evaluation tool will need the HR to have that available for us with the dates on there that it would be evaluated. We discussed that in length. I don't know if everybody remember the same thing. But she can include that on there. And I second that. It has been moved and seconded. I believe we have discussed it before but we can add it to the agenda. Huh? Call for questions. This is to add the city clerk evaluation to our future agenda item. Hearing none, are you ready for a vote? Roll call. Commissioner McPherson. Yes. Mayor Babb. Yes. Commissioner Calvin Williams. Yes. Commissioner Scott. Yes. Vice Mayor McDonald. Yes. Okay. Now we'll move to general public comments. City Clerk, are there any public comments cards from our residents? Yes, sir. We have a total of three comments. The first one is Robert Love.

I'm glad I'm first this time. I might forget what I got to say. Robert Love, 2638 Ebony Drive, West Palm Beach. I'm so glad Miss Baxter, I hope she's watching. I heard you call her a liar. About when she said she tried to speak to the leaders or whoever out here. You just literally called that lady a liar. Jesus. Jesus, that's a good one. That was a good one. I hope I don't upset you. You literally called that lady a liar cuz she's saying what she did and you said she didn't do nothing. Lady over there said she ain't did nothing. I don't know why Miss Baxter would say she called and nobody answered. I don't know why she would put that out online. You need to be trying to sue her then cuz she lied on you. And the other thing, the cemetery look like a dump. It look like a real dump. But ain't nobody going to say nothing about that. Y'all want to sit up here and talk about a swimming pool. You ain't got no swings in the park. The road look like a dump. Everything that need to be done, y'all ain't talking about that. You Oh, we need a swimming pool. Oh, we need this. Did you have you been to Martin Luther King Park? And they done stole all the money. Yes, sir. Point point of order, mayor. Who's speaking now? I'm speaking right now. I'm speaking Somebody's speaking out though.

Well, let me let me hold up. I'm going to have you some more minutes here. I hope I piss somebody off tonight. I'd rather do it. Cuz that's what I come to do, piss y'all off. Cuz y'all sit up there with all them lies. Oh, we did this about Pahokee building. I can show you six incidents with four city managers that they've been down there, condemned that building, and let people move back in. This time, we want to thank somebody for getting people out of there. I can show you where the owner went to the city manager. He told the news. Me and the city manager talked about it and we going to get that done. And the other question, what certificate do the code enforcement have? Do I've been hearing that code enforcement can't pass a test. So, if you can't pass a test and then this a violation, how do you know if it's a violation if you can't pass the test? Y'all tell me. Do the old code enforcement have Do the code enforcement have a certificate? Are the code enforcement qualified to be code enforcement? Not if they ain't passing the test. I got some people saying they're talking about code enforcement that they drove up and put some on it, but they was down there to Pahokee building for 8 years. Now you finding people that's from this community, but you couldn't find them. I ain't never heard about Pahokee BUILDING PAYING THEM FINES. And then y'all done had four city managers in the past 3 years. You had Lucas, you had Michael Jackson, you had Miss Buster, and now you got Miss Bryant. And what the OIG say? Y'all need to stop changing city managers like you changing drawers. That's what the OIG told y'all, but you're still facing it. Now like I still say Miss Bryant, I'm behind you 10,000%. I'm behind anybody get over there. I'm behind Lucas, I'm behind Michael Jackson, I'm behind Miss Buster. But the moment somebody act like they don't understand that the citizens are the ones in charge in this community, and like I already told you, I told you outside that door.

If you don't do what they say, You're talking to me as a speaker.

I don't keep If she don't DO WHAT Y'ALL SAY, you remember you was all with Lucas. And then Oh. Your time up, sir. Your time is up, sir. I'll finish that out. Give me time. The next person is Mr. Nelson Lopez Jr. How you doing? Nelson Lopez Jr., 300 Robert Love. Um I got a a quick incident where uh I was code enforcement put a a violation call. Uh the letter that I was violating if I didn't paint uh repainted, restriped the existing lines over there. And I complied. I finished the code enforcement to come check it. They checked it, make sure it was right. They said I didn't have to come to Main Street this morning. So, we're all done. Um and then I got word that from Miss Bronco that I had to get a permit. And then I sent my father over there to get a permit. And when he went to get the permit, they said um he said we we just restriped what was already there. And she goes, "Oh, you need a permit cuz it's commercial." Now the ordinance say the type of the type of property doesn't determine if you have a permit. A permit is required from the scope of work. So, if there was existing lines and I'm restriping, I don't need a permit. And I want to confirm that before I go pay for a permit or go call a a contractor and pay for him to give me a permit. Okay. I have two properties with my father here in Pahokee that I resurfaced or relined um and I also um uh that's that's one issue that I want to kind of clear. Uh a second thing is um you know, I'm hesitant to come and talk

because I'm a nervous because just I don't even I don't even know if I'm going to be heard because I don't know if um I don't know if anybody's heard because I grew up in an area I grew up here where uh I was able to see the the um the Ford dealership. I was I was able to see the the Commerce City of Commerce. I was able to see the Swifties, the the videos, the video arcade, the Prince Theater, the um the video store. You know, I was able to see the carpet store that we did carpeting and we did, you know, fixed fixed up trailers and helped people out here, a boxing gym, uh uh the the the little league baseball. Uh I was able to see, you know, the fishing tournaments, the the dike. You know, uh I don't see it no more. And my parents come from another country. I'm a I'm a product of immigrant. And I left here like everybody else leaves to go find a career, to go find some money, to come back to fix something. Um and these meetings shouldn't be about this. And Robert Love, I respect you. But but let me give me 1 minute. That's your time, sir. I'm sorry.

I respect what you guys are doing. But these meetings should be a group team meeting where we huddled up and we say, "Pahokee on three." Okay, that's here and we build something. That's your time, sir. I'm sorry. And that $5,000 that we're going to spend for the fiscal Your 3 minutes are up. I'm sorry. that we're going to spend [applause] to find out if that hotel is going to be useful here is going to be a waste because it's not useful for In the future, if you keep talking I was I was You out of order, sir. You out I'm charged I am Please be silent, Mr. Love.

I am hired by cities to to make economic impacts. I'M HIRED BY CITIES to make economic impacts. I don't get hired by my own city. And I do it for free. I'll do it for free. You know, and I'm not I JUST WANT EVERYBODY TO do We this is our city. Mr. Love, you out of order. You're talking. You're out of order, sir. And I'm Yeah. Officer. Put my damn self out. You can't put me out. I told y'all I was going to get put out of here tonight and I'll put me out of here. I'm going to go home and [clears throat] go live. I'll be live at 8:30. The last comment is um former uh Vice Mayor Clara Melvin.

[clears throat] Good evening, mayor, commissioner, vice mayor, and the fellow residents of Pahokee. I stand I'm glad that uh um City Manager Bryant brought about the CDBG grant cuz that's what my topic is tonight to talk about. [clears throat]

I stand before you today Oh, sorry. I stand before you today deeply concerned about the proposal to remove our $40,000 in community development block grant CDBG funding that has been designated for code enforcement within our city. This is not just a line item on our budget. It's a critical resource that directly impacts the health, safety, and quality of life for our community. Pulling this fund is not a solution. It's a setback. Code enforcement is already stretched thin. Reducing or eliminating this funding limits the city's ability to maintain even one dedicated position to address the ongoing issues that affect our neighborhoods daily. These are not minor concerns. These are issues that impact property values, public safety, and the dignity of the residents who live here. When enforcement When enforcement is weakened, neglect grows stronger. What makes this even more troubling is the reason behind this proposal. Decisions of this magnitude should never be driven by personal disagreements, political differences, or reaction to a single issue such as a situation surrounding the Park Avenue building. That building did not fall into its current condition overnight. It is a long-standing issue that every resident who drives through this city has seen develop over time. And as I raise a serious question for the commission and for the county, how many individuals have actually taken the time to go back and pull the full history of this property? How long has it been going before the magistrate? How many hearings have taken place? And what actions were were or were not enforced because the record matters. It is important to be clear. This is not a failure of code enforcement. Code enforcement officers can only do

what they are legally authorized to do: document violations, issue citations, and forward these cases through the proper channels. They have consistently done that. Once a case reaches the magistrate, the responsibility shifts. Decisions regarding closure, fines, compliances, deadlines, and stronger penalties fall within the authority of the magistrate and the legal system, not code enforcement. If stronger action was needed on this property, then that responsibility lies in those steps. It's not fair, nor is it accurate to place blame on code enforcement or the outcomes that were beyond their controls. Additionally, if you ride throughout the city of Pahokee, you clearly see that there are county-owned properties. Sorry, Mayor. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you. Any additional comments? Card's completed. No, sir. Thank you, ma'am. Now, we'll move to our comments of the city commission for the good of the order. And I'll start with Commissioner Mike Fields. Yes, I just for the good of the order. First thing I want to do, I want to thank the staff that came out came out on our Earth Day cleanup on April the 18th. And also, I want to thank Mock City Mission. They had another cleanup on the 25th. And these are the things that are things that we need to do to bring our community together, help beautify our community. And also, there was Delta Sigma Theta had a uh I'm trying to think of the exact name of it. Uh yeah, housing seminar. And and they had numerous numerous of vendors that came out and supported um and the the agencies that was going to provide different services. And I think some of the residents that were also displaced were present at that thing. And I just want to thank them for an awesome an awesome event. And these are the kind of things that we need to do to move our city forward. If we if you're not going to be a part of the solution, then you're part of the problem. And again, I just want to thank the citizens of this great city of Pahokee um for allowing me and and I consider it an honor to be one of your commissioners. And when I ran, I ran on integrity and transparency. And I'm not saying that I'm perfect. I may not

always get things right, but when I see a error that I'm going I'm willing to accept that mistake and move forward. And I said that to say we need to move our city forward. We need to develop a spirit of unity in the city. Um the city and the commissioners have to work together in order for us to be able to move this city together. And I again, I just want to thank you guys and I and I'm honored to serve as your commissioner. And I'm here to to do the work that's necessary to move this city forward. Okay. My comments for the good of the order is I would like to first thank uh former commissioners for being here uh Commissioner Mervin and Commissioner Biggs. A lot of time our former commissioners don't always come back uh and just observe or participate in commission meetings. So, it's always fresh and good to see them. Uh we got individuals, to be honest, that say they're for the city, but they're really not. They are being detrimental to this city. We're being live-streamed every twice a month. And people are looking at that. The sad part about it, the majority of the peoples who are viewing that think it's basically that most of them Georgia Balkin, and it's not. I mean, it's okay to disagree and even disagree politically. That's fine, but the how you disagree and the way you present yourself is hurting this city really really bad when the vessels look and coming in. The young man spoke about uh these major franchises used to be here when he was growing up. I've been here

for 70 years. I was born and raised in Pahokee because I saw it and I know what he's speaking of. But when the meals went down, when the uh Jamaicas wasn't able to come, the community and the economics went down. And every business he's speaking of, every single business, not one, not two, not three, but every one of them was locally owned and operated. Even the Ford dealership. But when that economic downside hit, they all went out of business. And children and their siblings and their family members refused to reinvest in Pahokee. And then there was a flight of people that left Pahokee. An economic flight. So, that's why we in the position we in. People always say that Belle Glade is growing, South Bay is growing. They have the land. That's right. They have the land to be able to do that. We have 5.5 square miles. We're a small city. And we're still trying to get developers to come in. We have three developers that was building houses here in Pahokee. And I know the complaint is this new development out here. That's not our fault that it stopped and whatever problem they have and but we took the incentives and the effort to help bring them to this community to build. Even Ms. Donna Robinson is building an apartment complex. It was a total of three was coming. One backed out at some point. But we have done some work.

We have brought money into this community. We have put in a gymnasium that was closed that's now open. That's for our children, a football field. No one look at that. Barfield Highway, $4.5 million. 5 years. It doesn't matter how long it was, but it got there. And a lot of the problem and hiccup wasn't our fault. Some of that that was a total reconstruction of that road. Some underground things that was happening needed to be corrected. So, even at the 4.5 with the change orders, it probably came out to almost 5 million. But again, we got it done, though. And it's buckling up. We got it done. We got it done. But we as a community, if we going to move this city forward, have to work as much as we can in unity. You got five commissioners up here. And we're not all will agree on anything. But once a decision has have been made, we need to move forward. We've hired, I believe, the best city manager we can possibly hire out of the selection we had. And then we still got peoples that's upset and wondering why we even went and hired and interviewed for a new city manager when we already had one. We had a policy in place. We had a written policy that we would hire all of our charter officers. That's the clerk. That's the city attorney and the city manager. That's in place now. And that's why we

hired. And even if we didn't have that, I think we should have always had it. But we're moving forward. But we got to work together as a community. This city is looking like we're totally divided It is. in some kind of way. You got junk on the streets falling down. Mayor, Park Avenue building still standing. Mayor, we need to adhere to our codes 2.26.

I'm going to hold you to Okay. Y'all ain't done no building. Just like the building over there, the apartment building. All right, sir. Commissioner McDonald, I'm sorry. Cemetery is a mess. Sir. All right. Awesome. Throw me out. I don't care. Mayor, we need to adhere to our code point of order, sir. He He's the one we didn't get the third housing development You mess with that cemetery, you're not taking care He's the one we didn't get the third housing development for because of him. No, he don't miss me. Mayor, just point of order. We need to make sure that we adhere to our codes 2.26. When we have people disrupting us during our meetings, we need to put them out. I ask the sheriff to escort. Regardless, and be fair and firm with everybody. So, um contrary to what has transpired, um and whatever your perceptions are, I'm all for progress for Pahokee. And we have heard it said several times here today. But it's easy to say something, but we all need to adhere to whatever it is that we say. Um I'm not trying to accuse anybody of anything, but let us do what needs to be done to progress Pahokee. That's all of us, those of you sitting out there and those of us that are sitting up here. It takes everybody.

We need all hands on deck. And let's agree to disagree. None of us are perfect. We haven't been, we're not going to be, but we should be able to agree to disagree. And do what is in the best interests of Pahokee. I have a couple of um things that I want to bring to your attention. Um different organizations that mentor our children are in need of mentors. If you know someone or if you have time yourself, um make yourself available for our kids cuz they need it. I'm a member of Take Stock in Children. Um they are in grave need of mentors. Other organizations are looking for mentors. And it saddens me to say that they need more men than women. And we can't allow the boys to be left behind. So, if you're not able yourself, maybe you know someone else that is available to help us take on this feat to make sure that our kids have the guidance and direction that they need. And also, um Everglades Prep is looking to expand their facility, but they need their enrollment up in order to be able to um to do so. If you know someone that has children that are maybe looking to uh attend a different school,

uh reach out to Miss Ursery at Everglades Prep. And um I'm sure she can provide you all the information that you need. Um as they are one of the um projects that we have been working on trying to make sure that we get taken care of so that we have a facility to uh accommodate our citizens in the time of a natural disaster. So, um if you have any questions, like I said, reach out to Miss Ursery at Everglades Preparatory Academy. Other than that, thank you all for coming out tonight. And uh we welcome you, your attendance as well as your input and your interaction here at the city of Pahokee because we cannot do this by ourselves. We need everybody to make the necessary contributions to help us uh rehab, uh improve upon, do whatever we need to do to progress Pahokee. And I'll end with that. Thank you. Commissioner Calvin Williams. Want to say good evening to everyone, to all the residents. Um thank you for listening tonight. Um I appreciate you um allowing me the opportunity to be your commissioner as well. And I just want the residents to know that all the decisions that I make are in They are in the best interests for the city. And like all the commissioners have said, we're not going to always agree on everything, but we should be able to respect each other when we are disagreeing with each other. So, I just want to say I um appreciate being working up here with the commission. I look forward to us, Miss Bryant, thank you. And um for the report that you gave tonight, congratulations um to becoming the um city manager. I look forward to working with you. Thank you for the report that you've given us tonight um from the county. I want to say thank you to the county for um opening your doors and working with Miss Bryant and giving

her the help and support that we need to work and moving our city forward. So, I look forward to working with you. I look forward to continuing working with each and every commissioner up here and us moving Pahokee forward. And I look forward to us being able to start seeing some work and some tangible um things happening in Pahokee so that our residents can be pleased. We know once we start seeing things to happen, that's what our residents want to see. And it may not start out big. It may be the small things that we're going to do, but do know that we are fighting for the city of Pahokee. We are trying to get funding for the city of Pahokee. And again, we have to make sure that we're conducting ourselves in a manner when when others are watching our meetings that they take us serious and they don't take us for a joke and say all they do is come and fuss and fight with you with the residents on a weekly. And so, we don't want that to continue to be us. We want to rebrand the city of Pahokee that we are a city that's serious about moving Pahokee forward. And we need the help of the residents. We need everyone. We need all of your support. So, um if you see us and we're doing something that we shouldn't do, call Pull us to the side and say, "Hey, I think you could have handled that a little bit differently. Um remember, you're representing the entire city, not one selective group. We're here for the entire Pahokee." So, I want to say I love all of my residents. I want to say thank you for attending and good night. Commissioner Scott. Yeah, I'd like to say good evening to everyone. And I'd like to thank the community for coming out. And I want to say something to Miss Bryant. Welcome aboard. Trust me, I support you. Y'all You know, but that's how that is. But it may not seem like I'm not that kind of person. I don't um come to your office and tell you how to do your job. But But believe me, whatever you want to do, I support you. I'm not I'm not that kind of person.

But um in the community, you know, I just wish that I hear some stuff, but I'm I'm not going to say that. I'm just going to leave it alone. All right, thank everybody for coming out. Okay, bye. City Commission, having heard all business brought before us taking care of, I'll entertain a motion for adjournment of this meeting. I move that we adjourn the meeting. Second. It is a motion and second. All in favor, call roll call, Madam Clerk. Commissioner McPherson. Yes. Commissioner Calvin Williams. Yes. Commissioner Scott. Yes. Vice Mayor McDonald. Yes. Mayor Babb. Yes. Meeting adjourned at 8:06 p.m.