City Commission - Regular Meeting

is not just enforcement, it's guidance. We're here as a resource to help you navigate those gray areas before they become issues. Whether it's a quick question, formal advisory opinion, reaching out ahead of time can make all the difference. Advisory opinions, in particular, provide guidance based on your specific circumstances. And when relied upon in good faith, they provide protection moving forward. If there's one thing I'd like to leave you with, it's this. If something causes you to pause, even briefly, that's the time to reach out. You don't need to be certain there's an issue. You just need to recognize that there may be a question. You can find resources or contact us at palmbeachcountyethics.com or by calling 561-355-1915. Thank you again for your time and your continued commitment to public service. Because ethics isn't a moment, it's a mindset. And I'm happy to answer any questions you may have. Any questions? OK. Well, thanks for having us.

Thank you for coming.

Thank you.

Ms. Mayor, next we have the representative from 211. And so we have a proclamation that will be read as well.

Mr. Mayor, this is a proclamation whereas the city of Pahokee recognizes the importance of community partnerships and the vital role organizations play in providing assistance during times of crisis. And whereas 211 Palm Beach and Treasure Coast responded promptly and compassionately to the emergency situation involving residents displaced by the Parker Building, providing critical support, guidance, and resources during a time of significant uncertainty. Whereas, working in collaboration with Palm Beach County, community organizations, and service providers, 211 Palm Beach and Treasure Coast help connect displaced residents with emergency housing, and essential resources helping to ensure their safety and well-being. And whereas the dedication and responsiveness demonstrated by 211 Palm Beach and Treasure Coast exemplify the highest standards in public service and reflect a steadfast commitment to strengthening and supporting communities throughout its region, Now, therefore, I, Keith W. Babb, Jr., Mayor of the City of Pahokee, Florida, on behalf of the City Commission and residents of the City of Pahokee, do hereby express sincere appreciation and gratitude to 211 Palm Beach and Treasure Coast for its outstanding service, unwavering commitment, and invaluable contributions to our community in official recognition whereof I hereto set my hand and caused the seal of Pahokee to be affixed this ninth day of June 2026th Mayor Keith W. Babb, Jr., Vice Mayor Isabel J. McDonald, Commissioner Cinquetta Cowan-Williams, Commissioner Everett D. McPherson, Sr., and Commissioner James H. Scott.

Thank you.

We would have one of the representatives come up and accept this proclamation, and I have our commission come down, and we'll formally present the proclamation to the representative. Thank you. I'm going to have our commissioner Williams present this formally to you as a token of our appreciation of our work to serve this community.

Thank you for all your help, 2-1-1. We want to thank you for all of your services that you provide to this community and the entire Glades region community. We want to say thank you for your continued support and your hard work, and thank you for being available when our residents need your support and your help. So we want to say thank you to 2-1-1, and from the city of Pahoga, we're providing you this proclamation of your thank you.

I just wanted to say thank you personally. When we saw this, we called it a disaster because it impacted so many families and children and we were delighted that we had the ability and the resources to respond. This is not something that we would typically respond to, but we felt that we needed to. I'm very thankful that we were able to provide some temporary housing and respite for the families and it was a pleasure to be a part to see how the community just just banded together from the school district to the county to the city of Pahokee thank you all for inviting us and letting us have a seat at the table to be a part of helping those families that were in need thank you thank you thank you

next we'll move to our consent agenda we have one item on our consent agenda which is the May twenty six two thousand twenty six commission meeting minutes are there a motion to adopt I move that we accept the minutes for May twenty six It has been moved by Commissioner Kywin Williams and properly seconded by Vice Mayor McDonough. Call for questions. Hearing none, are you ready for a vote? Roll call, Madam Clerk.

Commissioner Cowan-Williams. Yes. Vice Mayor McDonald.

Yes.

Commissioner McPherson. Yes. Commissioner Scott. Yes. Mayor Babb.

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

There are none.

Thank you, ma'am. makes we have public hearings and ordinances we do have one ordinance and a few resolutions the first ordinance is ordinance 2026-02

In ordinance of the City Commission of the City of Pahokee, Florida, amending Article 7, Division 1, Section 2-272 of the City of Pahokee's Code of Ordinances entitled, Purchase Orders, to retitle as purchase orders, competitive bids, and exemptions. specifically amending numbered paragraph six entitled exempt purchases to clarify that the determination of an emergency purchase is vested in the legislative judgment of the city commission providing for adoption of representations providing for conflict and repealer providing for severability providing for inclusion in code and providing for an effective date thank you city managers city manager could you give us a brief explanation

yes this ordinance is to ensure the city can respond quickly during emergencies without delay caused by normal procurement procedures it gives the commission the authority to approve emergency purchases when immediate action is necessary to protect residents and city operations city commission prior to the vote we're going to open this up for public hearing on ordinance

2026-02, are there anyone in the public wish to speak on this ordinance? Seeing and hearing none, I close the public hearing. City Commission, having heard Ordinance 2026-02 properly read into the minutes by a city attorney, properly explained by a city manager, properly had in first reading on this ordinance, what is your privilege?

Mayor Babb, I move that we accept Ordinance 2026-02.

Second.

It has been moved by Commissioner Collins-Williams and properly seconded by Commissioner Mike Pearson. Call for questions. Hearing none, questions for Commissioner Scott?

Yeah. Does it have a limit of how much she can spend or is it? I think it says 15,000.

It's on page 13. Mr. Mayor.

If I may, Commissioner Scott, this is for the Commission's consideration. In other words, once something comes back to you all, you would determine whether or not it meets the emergency criteria as opposed to having open-ended language. So this clarifies, and I believe it was always the intent, but But it wasn't observed like that. And so this clarifies that it would be the commission's discretion as to what an emergency, whether it rises to the level of an emergency.

Okay.

Okay.

Thank you.

So this is to also help us with the OIG, because they were saying it was an emergency, it was not an emergency, so we cleaned up this pile.

That was the intent in bringing it, yes, so that you all don't keep getting tagged with that, with them saying it doesn't meet the criteria when in other municipalities generally it's the commission that decides, but here it hasn't been interpreted that way. So this is to make it very clear that you intend for it to be within the discretion of the commission. Thank you.

In addition to questions, hearing none, are you ready for a vote? Roll call, Madam Clerk. commissioner Cowan Williams yes commissioner McPherson yes commissioner Scott yes vice mayor McDonald yes mayor Babb yes thank you madam clerk thank you commissioners motion passed by unanimous vote this is the first reading now we will have a second and final reading on this ordinance We have a few resolutions. We have Resolution 2026-25. City Attorney.

A resolution of the City Commission of the City of Pahokee, Florida, approving the cancellation of the July 28, 2026 Commission meeting in order to provide for a summer recess, providing for adoption of representations, providing for an effective date.

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

This resolution is needed to formally cancel the July 28 meeting and provide for a summer recess while maintaining compliance with the city charter's meeting requirements. OK.

City Commission, we have had a resolution read into the minutes by our city attorney properly explained by city manager. What is your preference?

Move that we accept resolution 202625. I second.

It has been moved by Commissioner Mike Pearson and properly second by Commissioner Williams. 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. I will say that although we passed this to have that one week where we're not having a commission meeting, we're only required by our city charter to have one meeting a month. But in the event that there are emergencies, situations where we need to take some type of action in a vote, we will be having a call meeting if needed, only if needed. So you can rest assured that city business will continue to be conducted properly.

Thank you.

Next is Resolution 2026-26, City Attorney.

A resolution of the City Commission of the City of Pahokee, Florida, approving a contribution in the amount of $5,000 to the Lake Okeechobee Regional Economic Alliance of Palm Beach County, LORE, for a regional feasibility and marketability study, authorizing expenditure from account number 1.511000.489, contributions and sponsorships authorizing the city manager to execute necessary budgetary action, providing for adoption of representations, providing for an effective date.

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

This contribution is to allow the city to participate in a regional economic development study that will identify opportunities

business growth tourism hospitality development and investment throughout the glaze region including the city of pohoki city commission haven't had resolution 2026-26 properly read into the minutes by city attorney properly explained by city manager what is your preference

move that we accept resolution 2026-26 as written.

It has been moved by Vice Mayor McDonough and properly seconded by Commissioner Kyle Williams for the adoption of resolution 2026-26. Call for questions. Hearing or seeing none, are you ready for a vote? Roll call, Madam Clerk.

Vice Mayor McDonald.

Yes.

Commissioner Cowan-Williams. Yes. Commissioner McPherson. Yes. Commissioner Scott. Yes. Mayor Babb.

Yes. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Thank you, Commissioners. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Next, we'll entertain Resolution 2026-27. See the attorney.

A resolution of the City Commission of the City of Pahokee, Florida approving a termite treatment agreement for the City Hall as set forth hereto in Exhibit A, providing for adoption of representations, providing for conflict, and providing for an effective date.

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

Yes. This agreement is needed to provide preventive termite treatment at City Hall and protect the facility from potential structural damages and cause repairs in the future.

We skipped 2020.

2027 is for $1,050. We'll go back to that one after this.

But she needs to call the right number. She said 2027, and it's 2028. 2028.

So 2027 is the .

okay you can go ahead with this item and we'll go back to it okay city commission haven't heard resolution 2026-28 written to the minutes by our city attorney properly explained by city manager what is your preference I move that we accept resolution 2026-2028 second It has been moved and properly seconded. 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, Madam Clerk. Thank you, Commissions. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Next, we'll entertain Resolution 2026-27. City Attorney.

A resolution of the City Commission of the City of Pahokee, Florida, approving and supporting the 2026 Quad City Senior Citizens Prom. authorizing a financial contribution in the amount of $1,050 from the City Commission budget for activities providing for adoption of representations, providing for conflict, and providing for an effective date.

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

This resolution is needed to authorize a donation to support a regional event that honors our senior citizens in Pahokee and throughout the Glades communities.

City Commission, having heard Resolution 2026-27 properly read into the minutes by our city attorney, properly explained by our city manager, what is your preference?

I move that we accept Resolution 2026-27. I'll second it.

It has been moved by Commissioner McPherson and properly second by Commissioner Williams for the adoption of Resolution 2026-27 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'll entertain resolution 2026-29 your resolution excuse me ma'am the resolution of the city commission of the city of pahokee florida supporting a one-year evaluation period

for PalmTran ridership and related service impacts within the Glades region as set forth hereto in Exhibit A, providing for adoption of representations, providing for conflict, and providing for an effective date.

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

This resolution is needed to support a one-year evaluation period for PalmTran service in the Glades region, allowing additional time to assess ridership and community needs while preserving an important transportation option for our residents who rely on public transit.

City Commission, having heard Resolution 2026-29 properly read into the minutes by a city attorney, properly explained by a city manager, what is your preference?

Mayor Babb, I move that we accept resolution 2026-29 as written. I'll second it.

It has been properly moved by Vice Mayor McDonough and properly seconded by Commissioner Williams for the adoption of resolution 2026-29. Call for questions. Hearing none, are you ready for a vote? Roll call, Madam Clerk.

Vice Mayor McDonald.

Yes.

Commissioner Cowan-Williams. Yes. Commissioner McPherson. Yes. Commissioner Scott. Yes. Mayor Babb.

Yes. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Thank you, Commissioners. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Next, we'll entertain Resolution 2026-30. See the attorney.

A resolution of the City Commission of the City of Pahokee, Florida, approving a lease agreement with Florida Coast Equipment LLC for the rental of necessary equipment for Port Myakka Cemetery maintenance as set forth and attached hereto in Exhibit A, providing for adoption of representations, providing for conflict, and providing for an effective date.

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

Yes. This resolution authorizes a lease agreement with Florida Coastal Equipment LLC in the amount of $72,491.69 for equipment needed to maintain Port Miyake Cemetery. The vendor was selected through a state approved competitive procurement process and will ensure that we have new working equipment to support cemetery operations.

Thank you, City Manager. City Commission, having heard Resolution 2026-31. 30. 30, properly read into the minutes by our City Manager. Properly read into the minutes by our City Attorney. Properly explained by our City Manager. What is your preference?

I move that we accept Resolution 2026-30. I'll second it.

It has been moved by Commissioner McPherson and properly seconded by Commissioner Williams for the adoption of resolution 2026-30. 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'll have Resolution 2026-31. City Attorney.

resolution of the city commission of the city of pahokee florida establishing the pahokee high school alumni picnic as an annual city sponsored community event for approving the approving the 2026 pahokee high school alumni picnic proposal as set forth here to an exhibit a approving participation fees authorizing the use of collected funds to offset event expenses authorizing the city manager to take all necessary actions to carry out the intent of this resolution, providing for adoption of representations, providing for conflict, and providing for an effective date.

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

This resolution is needed to support the continuation of a successful community event. that celebrates the history and legacy of Pahokee High School. This resolution also recognizes the Pahokee High School Alumni Committee as an advisory partner for the annual alumni picnic and authorizes participation fees, sponsorships, vendor fees, and donations to support event expenses.

City Commission, having heard Resolution 2026-31 properly read into the minutes by our city attorney, properly explained by our city manager, what is your preference?

I move that we accept Resolution 2026-31.

It has been moved by Commissioner McPherson and properly seconded by Commissioner Williams for the adoption of Resolution 2026-31. Call for questions. Hearing none, are you ready for a vote? Roll call, Madam Clerk.

Commissioner McPherson? Yes. Commissioner Cowan-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'll move to new business presentation by the city manager of activities of upcoming events, if any. And we have two listed here. And I have the city manager either introduce or present.

We have the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office report. Next, we have the Palm Beach County Fire Rescue report.

Thanks we're moving to the mayor report and I have a very brief report. Last commission meeting we had a complaint or two about our cemetery. I spoke with the city manager actually openly and asked for an update last commission meeting and she indicated that the cemetery was operating fine. The lawn was mowed and everything was working well. And those things will continue to stay in place. I also went out today just for verification because I'd like to at least go out to the cemetery to make sure that that cemetery is operating in a decent and orderly manner. So many of our loved ones are buried out there, so it's widely visited by residents, and when we do indicate a problem, they come here to express it. I would just like to public also if you notice any discrepancies in the cemetery just please stop by City Hall these are called the city manager or speak to any staff of the cemetery staff and let us know and we'll make sure we take care of any concerns and problem but the cemetery as today it's looking really decent and well-kept so I thank you for that Next we have the report of the city manager.

This report will highlight key operations updates and items for the knowledge and informative information of the commission to make you aware of items and any decision making that you need as well. The first item is which we took care of our radius to 211 recognition. So again, I'd like to give thanks and appreciation for them to stepping up when the city needed it most. The second item is the NEAT grant. All three NEAT grants that the city of Pahokee submitted were approved and it's moved to the next level. The first is the project entailing the procurement and installation of new playground equipment Martin Luther King Park and that was in the amount of seven thousand two hundred fifty five dollars the playground shade structures in Commission Park was also approved in the amount of eight thousand two hundred forty dollars and the procurement of items and materials to create and install a community garden and is in space in Martin Luther King Park and that was approved in the amount of eight thousand $973.68 for a total grant approval of $24,468.68. The necessary documents will be prepared and presented for your approval, commissioners, at the June 23rd commission meeting. Next item is West 3rd Street was selected for FDOT Scope M funding for the year 2028. As well, the necessary documentation will be presented and prepared and presented for your approval at the June 23rd Commission meeting. Update from the lobbyists. An update on the appropriation projects submitted by the city of Pahokee. The Pahokee restoration project, which is demarking and backfilling for sustainable municipal park design is in the budget. It was approved, and it is in the budget for $950,000. The re-hardening of the Eddie Lee Rose Gym is not in the budget. Please keep in mind that the governor has the budget and he has not approved as of yet. The budget is a balanced budget is due by July 1st. So we have until July 1st to see if the funding will remain in the budget. The next is the 4th of July planning. The event flyers have been posted and actively shared for more than a month. The special event Board and city staff have also been promoting the event through special media and community outreach efforts throughout the city and also there is a flyer on the table in the back that has been there as well. Event hours are scheduled for 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. on July 1st on the marina. A site walkthrough was conducted yesterday. The city staff, the fireworks vendor, The fire rescue personnel, PBSO representatives, and the Pahokee Housing Authority were there to ensure that all events logistics and safety measures are in place. The deposit for the fireworks display has been paid. The remaining balance is due following the event. The event will feature DJs, live bands, performances, children and adult games, bounce houses, family tents, food trucks, local community talent showcase, and many other activities for residents and visitors to enjoy. And we are encouraging everyone to please come out and share the word as well. Next on the list is the Park and Recreation Department is actively planning the August 8th, 2026 Back to School Bash with participation progressing for this community event. A planning meeting was held today and the event is well underway. Mandatory cybersecurity training was provided to all city employees and commissioners on June 8th. June 12th or June 18th. So we still have training that will be performed. This training is to enhance cyber security awareness and strengthen the city's protection against cyber threats. And lastly, the IT RFP will be on the next commission meeting agenda. The RFP is still under a cone of silence. Thank you, Mayor. That concludes my report.

Thank you.

Next, we'll move to the report of the State Attorney.

No report, Mr. Mayor.

Thank you. Next, we have future agenda items of commissioners, if any. And I'll start with Commissioner Scott. I'd like you to want to talk, so I'll start with you.

Yeah, I'm thinking about this future agenda item. I'm thinking we probably need to pause on that because of I know since I've been here, there's a lot of stuff that we already asked for that we haven't received. A lot of things we asked to get done. The only thing we're doing is just piling them to Ms. Brian Avery. I think we need to go back and look at us as commissioners. We need to go back and look at some of the things that we already asked former city managers for and we didn't receive it. We voted on it, but we need to go back and check that and try to clean up some of that stuff instead of just keep adding stuff on it. That's just how I feel about it. I think we need to pause there for a while.

What specifically were you speaking on about the IT?

No future agenda items.

Oh Williams do you have anything?

I do but they're not something where Like you said we're piling on top my future agenda item is I would like for us to get back the clerk's evaluation that we did to get back those results so that we can look at those because it's time for her next evaluation as well so that we can be looking at her self-evaluation for the next one so that we can stay on course and not get behind. So that's my future agenda item. That's one of them. So if we can get it.

Okay. That could be just having the city manager have the human resources provide that result to us or come and do a presentation to us whenever it's feasible. We'll get that, make sure we get that done. Hopefully by our next commission meeting. That's something we can do easily.

So we'll have to vote on that. Okay. So my second item is I went back through like Commissioner Scott was saying, and I was looking at some of the items that we had, I would like for the consultant, Ms. Angela Reyes, to come in and give us an update. We're paying her $13,000 a month. So based on her contract, I would like for her to come in to let us know where she is with the services that she's provided and what's left in her contract for us to do because this contract was granted back in February and we're in June right now.

and so I want to see where we are she can come in at the next meeting give us an update on what services has been done already this will go through the city manager having to request that be completed I need to entertain a second though before we move forward.

Second.

Just for the record would you reiterate your motion?

Yes for the consultant Ms. Angela Riaz to come in and present. He's talking about the first one.

With the HR we'll make sure that's done by next commission meeting. This is for the consultant so I have that. We're asking to have the consultant come in for an update. It's been second.

So we're trying to clarify for the minutes. Clarify the motion for the minutes.

That the consultant come in, Ms. Angela Reyes, at the next commission meeting and for her to bring in the updates that she has done and what is left for her to do from the contract that she has not completed.

Thank you.

That was seconded by Commissioner Scott. Call for questions. Hearing none, are you ready for a vote? Roll call, Madam Clerk.

Commissioner Calvin-Williams? Yes. Commissioner Scott? Yes. Commissioner McPherson? Yes. Vice Mayor McDonald? Yes. Mayor Babb?

Yes. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Thank you, Commissioner.

I have a question, Mayor Babb. You say we didn't have to vote on the first one, but what about us? The clerk has to have her self-evaluation done before we can do her second evaluation. So we don't have to vote on when... that self-evaluation needs to be done.

We never approved of a self-evaluation. Yeah, there's no self-evaluation. Yeah, that's one thing. I even say that we should have that as part of our process, but it never was voted or accepted, so she don't have to do a self-evaluation.

So that was part of my motion, though. That was part of my first evaluation. my first item that I had I said I wanted to bring the back the results and my second part of that was is to for us to vote on her to have do a self-evaluation for that's what I'm asking for now there a second on that motion call for questions

The only problem with now going back doing a self-evaluation, I mean, it's fine. It was really to kind of give us an idea of where this clerk saw herself at, but because of time restraint now, We need to be looking and considering starting the evaluation process for her NAICS evaluation, which is already past due or overdue in July. So I'm not sure why we need maybe for this NAICS-ing, we can ask the clerk to vote on it to have her do a self-evaluation.

but this and it already have been done and completed I just don't see when it's not done and completed this I said the other one room was twenty twenty five we was behind okay now doing twenty twenty so you're talking about for the upcoming evaluation with will come right you want her want to vote on do having her do is okay where she is and then verse based on our evaluation so we can see where she is and her goals because she did set some goals right if i remember clerk am i right didn't you say though yeah yeah okay okay

So that answers my question. Any additional questions for the vote?

I want to ask a question with regards to the evaluations. And please excuse my ignorance in that regard, because I haven't reviewed the code with regards to evaluations in its entirety. So is there a requirement in the code that says that she has to self-evaluate?

No. No, that's not in the code, no.

So you're asking that we implement that going forward?

That's what I'm asking. Yeah, because she set goals. So if she set goals, I think it's no more than fair that she can show what goals that she has met and then once we evaluate her. Because she did set goals when we hired her. So I just think being fair and transparent.

I mean, but how is that going to matter how you evaluate her if she, you know, has a list of goals that she set for herself?

Because some of the questions I'm just pertaining would be pertaining to the goals that she has set.

So I don't see how that, I mean, I'm missing it.

Just to clarify, the commission actually set the goals. During that time, they allowed the manager and myself, when they set the goals for both the manager and myself, they allowed input. But it was a collective effort. So it wasn't just the clerk by myself. And it was done through a formal legislation, which was a resolution.

So just for clarification, so basically what we need to do is just do her 2026 evaluation. Yes, that's what's up. Included with that.

I'm just trying to clarify.

Because the goals, as she stated, the goals are set by the commission as a collaborative effort. So we'll be rating her basically on what we established as a

so these goals that you set for her are they in the code the city code no they're on the evaluation in additional questions

this is for a future agenda item to have included the clerk having a self evaluation that has given us a picture how the clerk feel about her own evaluations hearing no additional questions are you ready for a vote roll call Madam Clerk Commissioner Cowan-Williams yes Commissioner Scott yes commissioner McPherson yes vice mayor McDonald no mayor Babb yes thank you madam clerk thank you commissioners motion passed by a 4-1 majority and vice mayor McDonough have anything you want to add last meeting we talked about our continuity of operations

plan that was presented. And I want to make sure that we review it to ensure that staff have been orientated with regards to what's expected of them in the event of an emergency. As a future agenda item.

Could you just state that one more time?

Yes. Can we review the continuity of operations plan to ensure that staff have been orientated with regards to what's expected in the event of an emergency?

there a second on that second second for clarification I said okay it's been moved in second call for questions and comments I'm trying to could you clarify every state your your motion again so we can ask for a steal yes in the last meeting we were provided

an updated continuity of operations plan and I wanna make sure that we are reviewing it so that we can ensure that staff have been orientated with regards to the expectations of them in the event of an emergency.

Mr. Mayor.

just through the mayor vice mayor this is it actually passed at the last meeting and so what the training that is provided by the manager would be one that would be a part of her day-to-day operations to make sure that she is training if you're if the intent is to ask for maybe go through what you all passed so that the commission is clear on what the staff has been trained on, or if you, or maybe you ask the manager if she's trained the staff. I don't know, but in any event, I'm just trying to prevent or at least advise you against voting on something that could be considered, you know, the day-to-day operations of the manager, because you've already approved the COOP plan as a part of the resolutions that were approved at the last meeting.

Okay, so... Okay, I'll table that and revisit it later. I'll table that. So we have several advisory committees. Let's review and identify those that are active and in effect. And also I wanted to ask if, because I didn't see this one in the code, of the budget advisory committee is there is there a budget advisory committee.

There may you know man.

Did you know the one well I guess you can just provide us a list of the ones that are active and

Yes, so I have them all listed out on the website. And yeah, so we can provide that to you. OK.

I'll leave it at that. Okay.

Thank you. Commissioner McPherson, do you have anything?

Yes, this is one that doesn't have to be right away, but I just want to make sure that we put on our calendar next year for Juneteenth and Cinco de Mayo celebration. So that's, I mean, we have a year. Juneteenth is now, but. WE CAN PLAN FOR NEXT YEAR. SO THAT'S NOTHING THAT HAVE TO GO IMMEDIATELY ON THE AGENDA RIGHT NOW.

IT'S ON OUR CALENDAR. NO, IT'S NOT. NO? NO. I THOUGHT I SAW JUNE TEEN. WHERE MS. WASHINGTON WENT TO. WE GOT A CALENDAR. IT'S NOT LISTED ON THERE?

LEGISLATION. I'M SORRY. Good evening. With the upcoming legislation, we were a bit hesitant on putting it on the calendar. We needed clarification first because there is possible legislation that is out there that will prevent cities from utilizing city funds to celebrate certain cultural diverse holidays that lean towards DEI. So we were a bit cautious about it. We wanted to get our legal department's clarification on that.

And Mr. Mayor, just to weigh in on that, Juneteenth is a federal holiday, and so that is one of the exclusions in the legislation. And it doesn't start until next year. It's not in effect right now.

Okay, and Cinco de Mayo, are we okay with Cinco de Mayo?

Again, it doesn't start until next year, 2027 in January, so you're fine right now.

Okay, so if the commission at the, through my manager, if the commission wants to celebrate Juneteenth this year, Cinco de Mayo has passed, but if the commission wants to celebrate Juneteenth this year, we would probably have to do something quick to recognize the holiday. but we may not be able to do a full-scale event because that's in another week or so.

Do we have enough time?

I think at a minimum we need to do something. If it's not even major, we need to make an effort at least to recognize it and celebrate it.

I'll get together with my manager and we'll talk about something to recognize the holiday.

I just want to make a comment. This is my first hearing that and so if this was something that's coming up for next year, I was just wondering who made the decision. not to bring it to the commission to at least to say that we're not going to do anything if this is something that's going to take place next year, being a fact that we could not have celebrated it this year. This is my first hearing. It is not happening right away that at least we could have had the special committee working on it, this decision. So I was just wondering who made that decision.

That decision was made prior to me coming on board. We just continued with it when we were creating the calendar. but it was something to my understanding that was discussed.

But the managers here, she understand that you would like to at least recognize that holiday, so we're going to do something, whether major or not, but we'll do something to at least recognize it. We'll do that.

Thank you.

anything else next we'll move to general public comments this don't have to be agenda items city clerk do we have any public service comments no sir thank you ma'am one question since they're going to try to do something this year do we still need to vote on that because it's not on our calendar

I mean, are we going to just sit here and just be consistent?

You think we need to vote on that? I mean, that's something I think we all would be consensus that we want to try to do something for Juneteenth.

Well, if the manager is bringing it, I guess under her own authority, but... You all, you know, with the day short, if she's doing it and it has no budgetary implications or within her authority, implications are within her authority, it's probably fine. Typically what we're what miss Brian and I agreed to was that we will try to bring Everything before you that you'll be doing unless it's something that seems to be urgent or something like that But she if she is bringing something or planning something I think it's been pretty consistent with your other managers if they're doing it within their authority they seems like they've done things so I

That's fine. Since I brought it up, I just wanted to make sure that it wasn't something that we needed to address as a commission.

Okay. I have a question that's unrelated to that. Just going back a little bit with regards to the... exterminating that's taking place at City Hall. Did you guys decide with regards to whether or not, where they're going to be

Yes, we did. The recommendation that was made or offered from the commission was on this chamber as well as we have the marina. This chamber was not an option for us because the students are at Parks and Rec and we have to be at least 500 feet away from the students if we have not had the proper security clearance. If we are in City Hall and we post on the building that is tented that we will be here, then if anyone else comes over, they need to be at least, especially if they have any records or anything, they need to be at least 1,000 feet away from the students. That will put the city at jeopardy of losing all of their funding if DCF would come over that day. So that was not an option for us. The acoustics in the marina is really awful as far as having all of the staff at the marina conference room. So what we have now is we have the mandatory cybersecurity training that will be held on the 18th. And so that will help us as well so that most of our staff would be at the marina for the training on that day. So yes, we have looked into that and made proper plans for the training and for the tent being covered.

OK.

thanks we have comments from the Commission for the good of the order and I start with Commissioner Mike Pearson and work myself to the right yes just made a public service announcement

Representative Matt Bernard is going to have a symposium, a town hall tomorrow. He's going to be at a town hall in West Palm, and he's going to be addressing and talking about the tax law that's coming into effect, as well as the redistricting that has been passed. And that is at the Overtover Brunch Library, and it starts at 6 p.m. from 6 to 7.30 p.m. Yeah, that's it.

Thank you, sir. Thanks, Mayor McDonough.

Just want to ask all the citizens, you might want to come out and just see what's going on. I'll do my best to try to be there tomorrow night myself just to get some insight on it.

just good evening to everyone and thank you all for coming out and participating in our meeting today I just want to encourage you to get involved where you can there have been several housing workshops being provided for our community there was one today at the Municipal Library in Belle Glade and there's also another one on the 23rd I think it starts at 3 o'clock so that kind of gives those individuals that are working time to get off work and an opportunity to attend so they're definitely doing what can be done to ensure that we're informed as citizens with regards to what is expected of us to be able to get housing and assistance with that so I just wanted to put that information out there I want to encourage everyone, too, to be involved with our children and their education, as we know that they are our future. So again, pitch in where you can. There's several organizations looking for mentors. Take Stock in Children, I know one, the one that I'm involved in, they're short mentors all the time. There's a couple of other organizations, can't call them out right now, right off the top of my head. But if you have some time, it only takes a few minutes. I know it's a lot even to prepare for a few minutes to spend with a young person. So let's make sure that we are making that contribution to help our community going forward. And let's not forget the residents that were displaced. If you know of resources that are available, please bring it to the attention of anyone that can get the information out there. Again, thank you, and have a great rest of your evening.

Commissioner Williamson.

I want to say good evening to everyone. Thank you for everyone that participated in person. Thank you for all the residents that are listening online. Just a reminder, this Saturday we have the first annual Criminal Justice Youth Empowerment Day, which is going to be at St. Paul Church in Belle Glade. It's going to start at 10 o'clock, so we're asking everyone to please take the youth out to that event. It's going to be some good information. And then I also want to say I attended the senior citizen prom, had a good time. I want to say congratulations to Ms. Eula Bowden and Mr. Leon. They were the king and queen for the city of Pahokee and all of them were so beautiful and it was such a great event and I really enjoyed myself there with them and they were glad to see someone there from the city. Everybody was just so excited to see their city. Officials there, so I just want to say congratulations to them and we had a really good time and we did have Pretty you know turn out from the residents of Pahokee that was there as well So I want to say thank you and have a good night and continue to you know Pray for us as we continue to progress Pahokee as we try to move forward I want to say thank you to the alumni. I look forward to 89 wasn't there last year, but we would have a tent this year So I look forward to seeing you all that working with you all that would be in there Make sure 89 has a tip this year.

Have a good night Commissioner Scott Yes, oh I Like to reach out to and to the community and to support Jamari Richardson I know she won the state in the quarter, but she not just only won the state. She ran one of the fastest times in the world. And she's been invited to a 20 and under world championship. I mean, a lot of kids from right here win the state, but I don't think too many of them get invited to the world championship. We're the top athletes in the world, and that's 20 and under. Yeah, I think she just left from one training, but I think they're trying to raise money to get her to send her out there to the training. Because it's expensive. I know it's expensive on my parents to be, you know, because they just came from somewhere. But now she's trying to, and they're trying to, you know, and they invited her to come out there. But you have to, you know, you have to fly hotels, stay there for a week or so. So I don't know if they can afford it or not, but they're trying. But she recorded. Yeah, I think she's the only person ever from Polk ever been invited to that.

Was her winning time a state record in her event?

Uh huh, yeah. She said all the records, yeah, in the quarter. This is another kid from Belgrade as well. Well, the girl from Belgrade, she won the state back to back in the 100, 200, but her time wasn't, you know, she won the state. Jamari won the state, but she said like won the fastest time in the world. She was, yeah, she was playing.

Thank you. I yield my minute or two to Commissioner Mike Pearson.

Yes, I just want to make an announcement as far as to the citizens. When I ask that you, any boards, there's some vacancies on some boards. I think Commissioner McDonnell had brought it up earlier. But if you look on the city web page, you'll see the vacancies as well as you'll see the schedule when the different boards meet. Those boards are public meetings. You're welcome to come out and discuss. and listen uh if i'm not mistaken you can even fill out comment cards when you come to those to those meetings um and it's open to the public and we need you all's help and we want you all we want our community to be involved with us to make pahokee great a greater we're going to get there we're going to speak those things as though they were But again, you can see the schedule of some of the boards. It's listed on the web page, as well as the ones that are active. The ones that are inactive, we would like for you to fill out the applications and be a part of those boards to help us move this city forward. And as well, just to ditto on what Commissioner Scott was saying, I think we need to do something as a commission, not a community, as well as the community as a commission to recognize, what's her name again, Mr. Scott? Amari. Yeah, because that's something I think is great for our community. I don't know if we need to put that on the agenda.

You can add it as an agenda item, future agenda item, to find a way to recognize it. We get a second on that.

I'll second.

It moved to second. Call for question. Hearing none, are you ready for a vote? Roll call, Madam Clerk.

Just a quick question. What's the name again? Jamari.

Jamari? J-A-M-A-R-I. Richardson. Jamari. Jamari. R-I-A. R-I-A. Jamari. Thank you.

Great.

Commissioner McPherson. Yes. Commissioner Cowan-Williams. Yes. Commissioner Scott. Yes. Vice Mayor McDonald. Yes. Mayor Babb.

Yes. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Thank you, Commissioners. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Lastly, we want to thank everyone for attending our City Commission meeting. We had a lengthy agenda, but we went through it really quickly. I think it was a really productive meeting. I hope all our meetings continue to work this way in the future. Having taken care of all business that have been brought before us satisfactorily, I'll entertain a motion for the adjournment of this meeting.

Mayor Babb, I have one comment I would like to make. I'm sorry. Is it in order or out of order? I'm sorry. I just want to say thank you to the city manager and the clerk this time for getting the agenda before 24 hours this time. So I know you're getting better. So I just want to say thank you all for working hard together. And I'm sure we're going to eventually get there to what we've been asking for. And the city attorney. And the city attorney. I'm sorry. I'm just saying. It's all three of us. And the city attorney. So thank you all for your hard work. I appreciate that we had time to go through all this information on our time. Thank you so much.

You're welcome. Thank you.

entertain a motion for the adjournment who made the motion and second by hearing no questions all in favor signify by vote roll call Madam Clerk Vice Mayor McDonald yes Commissioner McPherson yes Commissioner Cowan-Williams yes Commissioner Scott yes Mayor Bates yes meeting adjourned at 7 16 p.m.