City Commission - Regular Meeting

Maybe right now.

So like she said, we do have pamphlets and information in the back on what an ally is, also what the requirements for a circle leader. The only requirement is to be 18 years of age and to have reliable transportation. What does that mean? You can get to circles class once a week. So the program, like she said, is 12 to 15 weeks. The first thing we do is the first 30 minutes we serve dinner. And it's a program for the entire family, so if you have children, you can bring your children. You go into your circle of the training, and the children are going in, learning a similar curriculum to what you're learning, because it takes a village. And so we wanna make sure that we impact the entire family.

Oh yes, and the program is free. And you can leave $3.99. That's good to know.

I have a question. All right.

Well, as Ms. Michelle mentioned before when she was talking about her experience, the income, we do have an income guideline, which we monitor for Palm Beach County, how much they make annually in a household. Very low, low, medium to extreme, but we know we do not go over the 80 percentile of income. Nine out of 10 times, I haven't met anyone that's reached that level. As long as you're willing to make the change and you're willing to work, that's all we need.

Thank you so much. That's really good information to know. Real quick, IT, can you check the sound? I'm being told that there is no sound. He's working on it. Okay.

I went and let him know earlier.

And also, where's the location of all the classes?

Currently, the class that we're doing now in Pahokee is at the Bridges site.

OK. The Bridges and Pahokee?

Yes, Bridges and Pahokee. All right. And this is our 25th graduating class. Oh, wow. Oh, OK. We've been here for quite a while.

And is the October 22nd class going to be at Bridges?

Yes.

That one's going to be at Bridges also?

At the Burgess, yes. And it's from, it'll be from 5.30 to 7.30 in the evening. As Mrs. Giroir mentioned, we do provide dinner. For child care, it's for the ages of four up to 17. And they're given a curriculum based on their age group that's similar to the curriculum the parents are getting in regards to how to save, learning the difference between wants and needs. And we work that way.

All right. Thank you so much for that information. I'll certainly be circulating the information to our community.

Please, once class start, we look for if you'd like to come in, just to sit in for the first 30 minutes to see the circlees that we have here.

Please come. For the whole class.

And I did hear you say there's no income qualifications.

You can be employed, you can be unemployed. All we ask, as long as you're not above that age group now, then you're fine.

I missed the requirement. Like I said, 18 years of age, reliable transportation, and determine the change of circumstance. We want to make sure that we don't waste resources on individuals who aren't ready. We also don't bring in individuals who are currently in crisis, because it's impossible for you to focus on improving when you've got a lot of things going on. So we're not saying that we're pushing those individuals away, because we do offer help when we can. But as far as being a circle leader at the moment, it's impossible to when you're going through a crisis. The one thing I do want to say is that 30-minute dinner is also a time for us to network, because we want to introduce these individuals to things that they're not privy to. They don't understand what resources are available to them. And so we want to make sure that we introduce them to the city manager or the city commissioner, because a lot of times you don't get to see those individuals on a regular basis. And so to be able to rub shoulders with that, it has a very great impact on these individuals. And one last question, do you have any business cards? Yes, my cards are on the table in the back. If you have any further questions, you can give me a call. My email is on there as well.

One of the things that we also push our circle leaders to do after they graduate is get involved in their community. Attend these type of meetings. We can't change the community. This is their community. We try to make sure that they put their best foot forward to change their community. And it's their voices that need to be heard.

I'm glad you said that because I say it all the time. Maybe if they hear from somebody else, they'll take that.

Yes. Thank you. Thank you again.

All right. The next presentation, HCT Certified Public Accountants and Consultants, LLC. Mr. Harvey?

GOOD EVENING. GOOD EVENING.

GOOD EVENING, VICE MAYOR, COMMISSIONER, CITY ATTORNEY, CITY CLERK, CITY MANAGER. WELCOME. I'M GLAD TO BE HERE. MY NAME IS RODERICK HARVEY. I'M A PARTNER WITH HCT, A CPA FIRM. WE ARE GIVING AN UPDATE ON YOUR CURRENT AUDIT, AND SO I AM GOING TO uh give kind of a broad stroke and then if you want desired additional detail i will uh provide again we are in process of performing the september 30 2025 audit which is late but we're working expeditiously to get it done a little background we're engaged we uh we meet with staff weekly we give updates we request a certain documentation The staff is working as diligently as possible, from what I can tell, to provide those documents and information. As of today, there are 11 sub areas that are open. I will give a broad brush on those. related party questionnaires and the attorney confirmation, specifically Mayor Babb, Commissioner Williams, Commissioner Scott, and then, as I said, the city attorney. Those responses were sent out on, or requests for responses were sent out on August 26th. IT, compensated absences, expenses. Again, I'm giving a high level. Journal entries, capital assets, receivables, and revenue are some of the general sub areas that's open that we will be working with staff, hoping to get those items And then we also have started to make some conclusions. I have not shared this with the manager yet, but I'll just give a broad stroke as we will provide this to her here soon. We are looking at potentially four MLC comments. We have another six potential MLC slash observations. And then we did email out to staff I will give the exact date. On September 4th, just the other day, a request for update on the prior year findings. And so we gave a date for September 9th for that. So we are diligently working with staff to get the audit done. I feel like based on the circumstances, we've done a pretty good job along with the manager and the staff with moving it. I would say we are maybe 75% to 80% done, and again, hoping to receive those areas. Let me make one qualification as it relates to audit. We'll request documents and information. We get that documentation and information, and then we audit it. So because we get the request doesn't mean we're done with it, and we audit to a point of making a determination. Is this area good or not? and then we bubble up from there. So, Commissioner McPherson requested that we come and provide an update. I believe that I have, but the most important time is if the Vice Mayor allowed to answer any questions you all may have of me.

Any questions? Well, I hear there was some pending information. I didn't hear my name called, but it was saying that you was requesting that you was awaiting from from some of the commissioners? Could you elaborate on that a little bit?

Yes. So we have a standard form we send, which is basically seven, eight questions where we ask the elected officials and appointed officials, ABCDEFG. And to date, we have three open. Again, Mayor Babb, Commissioner Williams, and Commissioner Scott. So I wouldn't mean I didn't see it. My staff gave me the list. We've received the other ones, which appear to be all of you. So, and then the attorney, which I'm sure she normally gets it to us, she'll get that to us here soon.

My next question is, at this state, what, our estimated completion date and penalized for, I heard you say that the audit is not, that it's late right now. What's the status of that and could you elaborate where we are as far as?

Okay, very good. Let me give some dates. So the audit should have been done and remitted June 30th, 2026. We have been in contact with the mayor and staff with JLAC, which is the oversight, to let them know that we are in process of working on the audit. We gave a date of mid-September is when we were expecting to be done. We may need to update that. We have a status meeting with staff every Thursday at two, if my mind is right. And so at this status meeting, we'll say, hey guys, can we button up and get done or do we need more time? I am hopeful over the next seven to 10 business days, we can conclude. issue the report with our findings, get the responses back from management, and close out.

Did we file for an extension that won't cause us to be penalized?

Okay, you did ask that question. So process. So normally the state will maintain or hold back your state funds once the audit is two years late. So we're not at that point of having funds withheld. We would have to be in 2027. We have been in contact with them. There's not necessarily a format that you remit that says, hey, we want an extension. But what you do is communicate. Hey, here's where we are. Here's what we're thinking. Here's our next best thing. One of the things we have done preemptively the HCT side, is we've gone into the DFS system and started to input those numbers. So once the audit is finished, we can do a couple things. Finish the audit, remit it to the Auditor General, that's the paper, and then also e-submit in DFS the electronic numbers, which is what they use to post when the audit was received. So we're working concurrently in those areas to make sure once we can check the box, that all of those things can be done and filed with the appropriate oversight agencies, you know, within days.

Okay, so even though we're a little bit past due, we're looking pretty good as far as being able to wrap it up.

One of my Master Chiefs in the Navy, he had a saying, he said, we're in pretty good shape for the shape we're in. So for the shape we're in, we're okay. And that's my Master Chief.

We'll take it. One last question. The documents that you've reviewed thus far, do you see any problems, areas that need immediate attention, that needs to be addressed that will cause us some concerns?

Yes, sir. So, as I mentioned earlier, we have four MLCs. Those are management comments that we will give or provide to you. Currently, my staff have bubbled up to me another six potential areas for observations or findings. I will make that determination. So, there's potential that the city will have anywhere between four and six findings. So, yes, there are some areas for concern. We will put those forward. I have not shared this with the manager, so we always give staff a chance to say, listen, here's what we think. these areas we saw what's your rebuttal what's your response they will reply respond and then we'll wrap up so yes there's going to be some areas for improvement there's going to be some areas that we can get better at and so we'll share those with management and staff and ultimately in our audit report book at the end so

So those contingencies would be provided to the state offices so that they'll know that we are aware of whatever deficiencies there are, so we are making those adjustments as needed.

Yes, ma'am. It will be in the audit book that's remitted to the state with staffs or management comments on, okay, here's what it is and here's our plan to improve. One of the things I also mentioned on our prior year or the prior year findings, We're also asking management to give us an update on, hey, were these things done, implemented, worked on? And then we will also provide that to the state so that they can be made aware of the status of those prior year findings and what has been done by the city over the past six, 12, nine months.

My question is, where are we on your priority list? Last year, we had the same statement about us being late, things not being in. I'm like, so when are we going to become a priority where you can make sure that our city is done on time?

Thank you for that question. I appreciate it, and I want to answer it flatly. So we had made, we, the city and HCT, very good ground over the last two or three years because the first couple years, the city was behind two years. Last year, and I'll call an old name under the auspices of the former manager, not the singer, Michael Jackson, we were on time. The last year audit was on time. We were able to issue it by June 30th. This year with the 25 audit and the changes in management, that has caused us to be late. So I am disappointed also because I too wanted to have the city begin and keep a trend of remitting the audit report on or before June 30th. And I hope the manager will back me up on this. I've committed resources. I've committed my time. I've committed to a daily staff meeting. I talk to the manager by text or phone whenever she calls, either way. I've talked to Commissioner Ferguson. So trust me, this city, and if I can expand, all of the cities in the Glades are important to us. So this is a priority for me.

If I understand you correct, I know when, actually I think we submitted two audits, and you say that the second one was submitted in a timely manner. We were two years behind coming up to this present audit.

24, we got 23 and 24. 24 was done on time. This audit, 25, you know us accountants, we live a year back, so that's why I'm pausing, because I'm talking about September 30. September 30, 2025, although we're living in 26, so that's why I'm pausing. But this audit is, we're late. But we're only late a few months. That's why I said we're in decent shape for the shape we're in. So if we can button this up, get it done by the end of September or earlier, it would not be the worst thing that can happen. Then we work to get back on track with hopefully the same players. get back on track, and get the 26th audit done on time, which is due June 30, 2027.

And those findings, those areas of concern, I know at this point, whatever was there was there. And of course, we have to submit whatever the findings are. But will there be room for us to make sure that a corrective action plan is submitted with that and let them know, hey, this isn't what we've done and put in place to make sure that those things are completed. I know that would be our responsibility. You only tell us what the findings are, but that's our responsibility to put the correction action.

It is. Madam Manager has done a good job of saying, hey, Harvey, Let's get through the 25 water and get it submitted. Right after that, she's like, hey Harvey, let's go right into 26 and look at what we can do to make us better and be right. She's articulated that to me just about every time we talk. And so my goal and desire is we get the 25 done, And then I'm hoping October, November, we circle right back and say, hey, what can we do to your point to get the findings done and adjusted? What team is in place? And then let's schedule to get lined up to get the audit moving so we don't end up in the same bucket this time next year.

OK, I do appreciate the report that you have provided. And in all fairness, hopefully we can have some of those things that have been obstacles for us not be obstacles for us going forward. And we do expect to have those contingencies in place so that we don't have to keep doing the same thing every audit season. Any other questions?

May I make a statement? Sure. And so one of the things that Mr. Harvey and I have talked about is that we can do on our side, we have to do monthly and quarterly reconciliations in-house. And then Mr. Harvey and I also talked about how they can, instead of waiting for annual audit, that we can do, I was saying quarterly, he said they do six months. That will help us out tremendously because if he does it six months, that means that he only has the last six months.

of audit to do so that will help help the city of pohokia tremendously your point is well taken any other um no thank you thank you mr hodge thank you so much absolutely thank you thank you all right i'm looking forward to getting this wrapped up okay um next we have uh consent agenda items um august 25th 2026 city commission meeting minutes And the September 2nd. And, I'm sorry, and the September 2nd, 2026 City Commission Budget Workshop Minutes. Do I hear a motion?

We'll make a motion we accept. Second.

It has been properly moved and seconded regarding our consent agenda items, August 25th, 2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes, as well as the September 2nd, City Commission Budget Workshop Minutes. What do I hear?

Ready for a vote?

Yeah.

Ready for a vote. Commissioner Scott? Yes. Commissioner McPherson? Yes. Commissioner Calvin-Williams? Yes. Vice Mayor McDonald?

Yes. Okay, next we have Old Business, if there is any.

There is none.

And we'll move on to our public hearings and or ordinances. First, we have Resolution 2026-57, which is our millage rate.

Yes. Madam Vice Mayor. Resolution of the City Commission of the City of Pahokee, Florida adopting a tentative millage rate for the fiscal year commencing October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027 pursuant to section 200.065 Florida statutes providing for adoption of representations providing for an effective date.

City Manager, can you give us explanation?

Yes. These items are needed to fund the city of Pahokee's essential operations and services for the 2026-2027 fiscal year and to establish the millage rate required to support the city's budget in compliance with Florida law.

Okay, you have heard the reading of Resolution 2026-2027. 57 read into record by our city attorney and properly explained by our city manager. I move that we accept. I'm sorry, go ahead.

You want to open the public hearing?

Yes. Do we have any in the public that are here to address this resolution?

No?

There's a requirement to read the rollback rate into the record and so the city manager is going to do that before you leave the item.

Tentative millage rate. The City Commission of the City of Pahokee hereby tentatively adopt a millage rate of 6.5419 mills for fiscal year 2026-27, commencing October 1st, 2026 through September 30th, 2027, which is 6.5419 per 1,000 mills. of taxable property value within the city of Pahokee. This millage rate represents a 9.69% increase over the rollback rate of 5.9639 mills.

Okay, you have heard the explanation provided by the city manager.

Can you, with that, just to make sure we're following the statute with that, can you open it back up again for public hearing now that she has that on the record and then close it again? I just want to make sure procedurally.

Okay, we'll have it this time. Any comments from the public? Okay, hearing none. Any questions?

I'll make a motion that way, except a resolution. Second.

Okay, it has been properly moved and second by Commissioner Scott and second by Commissioner McPherson. Do we have any questions at this time? Roll call, Madam Clerk.

Commissioner Scott? Yes. Commissioner McPherson? Yes. Commissioner Cowan-Williams?

Yes.

Vice Mayor McDonald? Yes.

Yes. okay this time we will move to our next resolution which is 2026-53 City Attorney.

A resolution of the City Commission of the City of Pahokee, Florida, providing for the adoption of funding of the tentative municipal budget in the amount of $7,075,039 for the City of Pahokee for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2026, and ending September 30, 2027, providing for adoption of representations, providing for an effective date.

Thank you for that, City Attorney. City Manager, can you give us an explanation of that resolution, 2026-53?

This resolution is intended to establish the City of Pahokee's tentative municipal budget of $7,075,039 for the fiscal year 2026-27, which begins October 1st, 2026. It will outline the City's financial plan for the upcoming fiscal year and allow the city to move forward with the required budget process and ensure that funding is in place for the city to continue providing services to the community.

Thank you for that. It has been properly read by the city attorney and explained by city manager. At this time, do we have anyone from the public that wish to have a discussion at this time? Okay, thank you. At this time, we'll entertain a motion.

I move that we accept Resolution 2026-53. Second.

It has been properly moved by Commissioner Fearson and seconded by Commissioner Scott. What is your pleasure?

Commissioner McPherson? Yes. Commissioner Scott?

Yes.

Commissioner Cowan-Williams?

Yes.

Vice Mayor McDonald?

Yes. Okay, at this time we'll move on to Ordinance 2026-03, City Attorney.

An ordinance of the City Commission of the City of Pahokee, Florida, amending Article 2, Section 2-29, entitled Order of Business, adding a report of the City Clerk to the Order of Business, renumbering and reordering as necessary, providing for conflict and repealer, providing for severability, providing for inclusion in the code, and providing for an effective date.

It has been properly read into the record by a city attorney. City Manager, could you please give us an explanation of this ordinance?

Ordinance 2026-3. This is the second reading. It is an ordinance of the City Commission to the City of Pahokee, Florida, amending Article 2, Section 2-29, entitled Order of Business. adding a report to the city clerk to the order of business, renumbering and reordering as necessary, providing for conflict and repealer, providing for servability, providing for inclusion in code, providing for an effective date.

Thank you for that. At this time, do we have any members of the public here for discussion? OK, we have had it properly read and explained into our record. I will entertain a motion at this time.

I move that we accept resolution 2026-03, Second.

It's been moved by Commissioner McPherson and seconded by Commissioner Scott. Any questions at this time? We're ready for a vote.

Commissioner McPherson? Yes. Commissioner Scott?

Yes.

Commissioner Calvin Williams.

Yes.

Vice Mayor McDonald.

Yes. Thank you for that. At this time, we'll move on to Resolution 2026-54. City Attorney.

A resolution of the City Commission of the City of Pahokee, Florida, accepting the proposal from Brown and Brown for general liability property and casualty coverages, auto liability, and workers' compensation is set forth here, Tier and Exhibit A, providing for adoption of representation, providing for conflict, and providing for an effective date.

Thank you for that, City Attorney. City Manager, can you give us an explanation of this resolution?

Yes, this resolution is intended to accept the proposal from Brown and Brown for the city's general liability, property and casualty, liability and workers' compensation insurance coverage. This is necessary to maintain appropriate insurance protection for the city, its property, vehicles, employees and operations.

Okay, it has been properly read into the record by the city attorney and explained by our city manager. What is your pleasure?

I move that we accept resolution 2026-54. Second.

It has been properly motioned by Commissioner McPherson and seconded by Commissioner Scott. I'll entertain any questions at this time.

Yes. With that insurance, would there be a cost savings for my previous insurance?

Yes. It's a savings of 14.6% from my previous. savings of 14.6% from our previous year. We also had a decrease last year as well, which was about 11%. I was told that the city is doing real good with our claims, getting them to the insurance company to process in a timely manner as well as our workers' complaints that

Thank you.

Any other questions? Are we ready for a vote?

Commissioner McPherson? Yes. Commissioner Scott?

Yes.

Commissioner Calvin Williams?

Yes.

Vice Mayor McDonald?

Yes. Okay, thank you all for that. We'll move on to Resolution 2026-55, City Attorney. Yes, one moment.

One moment, Madam Vice Mayor. Okay.

Oh, that's the next one. Okay. Let's make that the next resolution.

A resolution of the city commission of the city of Pahokee, Florida approving the acceptance of the employee benefits package with an overall 14.7% increase in medical coverage and 1.3% increase in dental insurance coverages and an 8.8 increase in life insurance as set forth in exhibit A hereto, authorizing the city manager to take necessary action, providing for adoption of representations, providing for an effective date.

Thank you, city attorney, city manager.

This item approves the city's employee benefits package, which includes the increase, as just mentioned, of 14.7% for medical, 1.3% for dental, and 8.8% for life insurance. Approval of this item is needed to maintain employee benefits authorized import implementation of the new rates and we do have a representative from Gary here if anyone has any questions okay we'll hear from you at this time if you have any presentation good evening

So today, just talking about the proposed employee benefits renewal for the city, we did recommend early in the year to city staff that the city budget 15% for medical insurance. Higher than we'd like to see, but that is what we've been seeing trending across small groups across the state. And we did come in just below the budget number at 14.7%. So this would allow the city to maintain the same generous benefits package for medical that is currently offered to employees while still being within the city's budget of 15%. For dental insurance coverage, the initial renewal came in at 6.5%. We were able to get the carrier Humana down to 1.3%. So that was a reasonable increase for the dental PPO. For the dental HMO, they are offering a no increase, so flat rates to continue the same benefits. For vision, the same, offering a no change to benefits and no changes to rates for 2027. And then lastly, for life insurance, they are proposing an 8.8% increase. I will say the city has gotten an increase on the life insurance every year for the past couple years. We've always been able to negotiate it down to 0% for the past three years. So I do think that this 8.8%, which is about $200 annually for reference, is warranted at this point.

Any questions?

Any questions? OK. Well, thank you so much for that presentation.

Thank you all. Have a good night.

You have heard from our representative. What is your pleasure?

I make a motion that we accept.

Oh, second. I thought we had already. No, we didn't. Okay.

It has been properly motioned and motioned by Commissioner Scott and seconded by Commissioner McPherson. Are we ready for a vote?

Commissioner Scott?

Yes.

Commissioner McPherson? Yes. Commissioner Cowan-Williams?

Yes, yes.

Vice Mayor McDonald.

Yes.

OK, thank you.

We'll move right along to resolution 2026-56, city of. City Attorney.

A resolution of the City Commission of the City of Pahokee, Florida, establishing, approving, and adopting a new administrative policies and procedures manual consisting of new and updated administrative policies, providing for separate administrative and personnel policies, providing for adoption of representations, providing for implementation, providing for conflict, and providing for an effective date.

Okay, we've had it read into the record by a city attorney, city manager.

This resolution adopts a new administrative policies and procedures manual that contains both new and updated city policies. This is needed to provide clear, consistent guidelines for city operations, improve accountability, and ensure policies are applied consistently throughout the city of Pahokee.

thank you city um attorney has written it's a record and we have an explanation for my city attorney do we have any questions at this time move the folks I'm sorry I'm sorry move that we accept resolution 2026 that's 56 second It has been properly motioned by Commissioner McPherson and seconded by Commissioner Scott. Are we ready for a vote?

Commissioner McPherson?

Yes.

Commissioner Scott?

Yes.

Commissioner Calvin-Williams?

Yes.

Vice Mayor McDonald?

Yes. And we will move on at this point. Coming for questions?

OK, go ahead. I have a question regarding this particular thing. And this may be just a city. created form, I'm looking at some of the checklists. I guess it was under the financial liability on page 143. I can see the policies that was put in place regarding when an employee terminates a leave. It has the responsibility of a different.

You all want to open it back up again so you can have the discussion?

And maybe you want to hear my question before we go, because it may just be something about it. But what I was thinking, we have the policy, but would there be a checklist for that employee to sign off on when we received all the information? The answer is yes.

There's a checklist when employees come on, and they are issued equipment. They sign off on it, and it's kept in their HR file.

OK. That's good. there are um there are some highlights in the document i'm not sure if they were highlights that okay so if you all would um i guess vote for this subject to us just making the necessary um changes with the highlights and anything that may not be necessary

That's what I was thinking of, too, which, of course, now would be a good time. But anytime we come across any need for amendments, we can certainly bring it to the commission. But anyone that has... Any questions regarding anything right now? We can go ahead and address that so that it's in the record that we'll address any unnecessary amendments at the time that they're needed.

I move that we open on Resolution 2026-56 to address the issue as far as correction with any highlight or any specific items in the draft that needs to be corrected. Second.

It has been moved that we approve Resolution 2026-56, taking into consideration any amendments that need to be made going forward. And it has been properly seconded by Commissioner Scott. Are you ready for a vote?

And so, as I understand it, you all will allow us to make the necessary changes, and if there are any scrivener's errors, to also make any corrections.

Yes. Okay. Corrections as needed.

Yes, ma'am.

Okay. Are we ready for a vote?

Yes.

Commissioner McPherson?

Yes.

Commissioner Scott?

Yes.

Commissioner Calvin-Williams?

Are you ready for discussion?

Just to make Scrivener's corrections and any amendments. Vice Mayor McDonald.

Yes. Okay, at this time we have Resolution 2026-58. City Attorney? Yes, ma'am.

we have an add-on item and this is the item it is a resolution of the City Commission of the city of Pahokee Florida accepting the neighborhood engagement and transformation neat grant agreement with Palm Beach County for fiscal year 2027 in an amount not to exceed fifteen thousand four hundred and ninety five dollars for the playground shade structure and playground equipment project authorizing the mayor to execute the agreement and related documents, providing for adoption of representations, providing for an effective date.

Thank you, City Attorney. City Manager, can you give us an explanation of?

These items are needed to accept a $15,495 Palm Beach County grant to fund a playground shade structure and new playground equipment in the martin luther king park in the city of pohoki these are to improve safety accessibility and recreational opportunities for the pohoki residents thank you so much we've had the city attorney read the resolution into record and the city manager has given us an explanation what is your pleasure

I move that we accept Resolution 202628. Just my sheet don't have a number on it. 58, I'm sorry.

It's the standalone packet, Commissioner Cowan-Williams.

I didn't have the number on it. 58, I'm sorry. I move that we accept Resolution 202658.

I second it. Thank you. It's been properly motioned by Commissioner McPherson and seconded by Commissioner Scott. Are we ready for a vote?

Commissioner McPherson?

Yes.

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

Yes. At this time, we'll move on to our new business. Any presentations by our city manager or any activity or upcoming events?

Under the new business, we have Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office report.

Good evening.

Good evening.

My name's Captain JP Harvey, and I am a newly assigned district commander to District 5, which encompasses the unincorporated portions of Belgrade, South Bay, and obviously Pahokee. I wanted to take the opportunity to come this evening to introduce myself to the Vice Mayor and to the council members and attorney. Thank you very much for having me. Basically, the message that I want to share, in addition to being happy to be here, is that Captain Mark Halpern oversaw the commander of Lieutenant Brad Sider. uh his pivotal role in the community here uh captain halperin promoted to major now major halperin i'm really excited to see somebody within the glades community of the sheriff's office promote and move on and grow in their career so we're celebrating his success i have big shoes to fill and i just want to share that my vision coming into this role here in the glades that I will continue to support our lieutenant who was the commander for the Sheriff's Office for Pahokee in the way that it has been in the past I believe that teamwork makes a dream work and open lines of communication we're gonna work very well together I know that the city manager is aware that lieutenant Brad cider is also moving on he is growing in his career and he's going to be reassigned to here in the middle of the month going to an investigative unit back on the coast. We have a lieutenant named Jeff Denny who will be my counterpart. He'll be the Commander Pahokee. He'll be joining us shortly, if not at the next meeting, the meeting afterwards. But I'm just here to say hi, introduce myself, and also assure everybody that as we've had a lot of success in the Glades communities with the Sheriff's Office and people excelling and graduating and promoting, that we're here to really just continue to build on the relationships that we've built, to continue to honor the relationships that have come for a long time before us, and we're all excited to be here.

Thank you. Thank you so much. We're happy to have you. Looking forward to working with you.

Thank you so much.

We also have Palm Beach County Fire Rescue.

Good evening, community leaders. Good evening. Everyone, how's it going? Thank you for the opportunity. The first thing I want to say is take this moment right now to welcome Captain Harvey and say goodbye to him. Thanks for leaving me. But it has been definitely the partnership and the working relationship that we have is really, truly something that I never thought I would have, and I do, and I don't want to lose it. So every time I lose one of these gentlemen here, which I know they're going to do bigger and better things also, too, But it's just a reminder that I learned a lot from both of you, I mean from you and from Captain Halperin. I'm sure I'm going to learn a lot from you. And with that being said, I want to transition to let you guys know what we did with the enormous help of PBSO, but also some of the partners that we have from Roads and Bridges, from EOC Department, from the recent closing that we had on Southern. Behind the lines, Palm Beach County Fire Rescue took it very seriously as long as we PVSO. We partnered up together early on to make sure that we did not disrupt any of the services as much as we could because it's not up to us to not have the road closed. For safety reasons, they did it. So we took some steps. Me and Lieutenant Brad, we did a lot of driving, talking, emailing, doing a lot of stuff, and I appreciate that because I call him the cone guy. No, you're the cone guy. But PBSO, traffic control and stuff like that, and he and I did make sure that we had different routes and we drove the routes and stuff like that. From the Palm Beach County perspective, since our trucks are definitely bigger and we do transport a lot of equipment and water, and they're slower, we make sure we took some precautions. Some of those precautions the Palm Beach County Fire Rescue took is we actually brought in an extra rescue. And I know it doesn't sound much, but there's a lot of logistics to do that, to put it on the staffing, to put it on the payroll, to pay the overtime, to make sure we have it up staffed with a lieutenant, a paramedic, and a firefighter, and fully equipped. in order to be ready to respond when we got caught off because we really got cut off from the island. A unit can take 40 minutes in a good given day with no rain just to get out here. So we kind of preempt that and we got one of those rescue trucks. We also pull Every single extra firefighter, paramedic, driver, lieutenant, or captain, that was extra. And we actually up-staffed our units. So every engine and every ladder and every squad that we had out here, instead of having three firefighters, we had four throughout the entire process. So I'm very happy to say that things went really well the first night with Touch and Go. That's the night that we had a little fire. Not a little far, it was LP, and there was a lot of units coming in. The good thing is we were like an hour before it closed, so we were able to make it through. But we were ready, and we were prepared. So just letting you guys know, if there's anything that you guys have questions when it comes to stuff like that, please feel free to call me or, you know, summon me in, and I'll come in. But we're definitely thinking ahead of time, you know, what if. I spent my nights thinking what if.

Right? Like I know you all do.

Now what if the new lieutenant, what if the new captain, but that's all I have for you. Thank you so much. Any questions?

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT. YOUR PROACTIVITY AND MAKING SURE THAT OUR COMMUNITY IS SAFE. SOMETIMES WE DON'T REALIZE HOW BLESSED WE ARE TO HAVE FORWARD THINKING PEOPLE. SO THANK YOU FOR THAT. WE APPRECIATE IT.

ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU.

Okay, next we have the report of the mayor, which he's not here, so we'll defer to the city manager at this time.

Report from the city manager. There is a town hall that is scheduled for October 1st, 2026, from 6 to 7.30 p.m. at the Eddie Lee Road Gym.

What was the date?

October 1st. Thursday, October 1st, 6 o'clock p.m. in the Eddie Lee Road Gym. Planning is currently underway. We are hearing back from all of the panelists. The town hall will be on the property tax proposal, Amendment 3. And we want to ensure that the city of Pahokee residents and surrounding residents in the Glades have all the information that they need to make informed decisions when they go to the ballot on November 3rd. And so we're asking everyone to come out, be prepared. The presentations will be about an hour, and then we'll have the last 30 minutes for questions and answers. So we need everyone to come out to learn as much information as you can about the Amendment 3. Bring your questions and just bring your friends with you as well so that we're all informed. The upcoming events. Hold on. Let me make sure there's so many more. Yes. The upcoming events in this city, so that everyone can mark their calendar as well, is the Storm of 1928 Remembrance Ceremony, which is September 16th at 10 o'clock a.m. at Port Miyaka Cemetery. The Pahokee High School Alumni Picnic, which is scheduled for September 26th, 11 o'clock a.m. at MLK Park. The Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, which will be held on October 8th, 2026, from 6 to 7.30 p.m. in the Eddie Lee Rose Gymnasium. The Fall Festival, which is October 29th, 2026, from 5 to 7 p.m. Veterans Day Breakfast, which is November 11th, 2026, at 10.30 a.m., and the location will be forthcoming. Turkey giveaway, November 16th, 2026. The time and location is forthcoming. The Christmas parade and tree lighting, December 14th, 2026, 6 o'clock p.m. And the toy giveaway is scheduled for December 17th, 2026, from four to six p.m. in the Eddy Road Gymnasium. I am also asking each of the commissioners who were given the capital improvement plan, I'm asking that you review the plan and then identify those items that you want to use as appropriations so we can begin preparing for our appropriations. And last month you received the calendar for Tallahassee. Before the legislative day, so please mark those in your calendar and we will be getting back with you with additional information Thank you so much All right

Thank You city manager for filling in our calendar for the rest of the year report of the city attorney

Yes, Madam Vice Mayor and commissioners. The city litigation issues have slowed down quite a bit as you heard from the HR director. You all have stabilized that not a lot of claims are coming in as of late, which is a good thing and has helped also, of course, with some of your insurances. however we did receive just recently a notice of Liz pendants and a foreclosure action that was filed regarding the Parker building and because the Parker building has been such a you know big deal here in the city I wanted to make sure that you all were aware of it and So the list pendants does not itself prevent the city from enforcing anything that it has in front of it. You can continue to make enforcement of code enforcement violations. However, what this does do is the mortgage or which has the first priority, that mortgage or is basically filed an action naming the city as a defendant to foreclose any subordinate lease that the city may have. And so the city does have quite a lot of liens that it has filed properly. But to the extent that the mortgage, it sees the liens, that makes the city's opportunity to recover that less likely. So while the manager makes a determination about what to do next in terms of getting funding or whether she wants to go in the demolition direction, I have advised that a better understanding of where the building official is with his documents and how he's documented everything for the city needs to be a primary thing. I believe the city is working on that. But I did just want to bring to your attention that this has been filed. The response is due tomorrow. My office will be filing an answer to try to preserve whatever liens we can get and we will be responding you know appropriately and timely to the to the foreclosure action so just to let the Commission know and be aware this is something that's ongoing okay any questions regarding that thank you for that update on the city attorney at this time we will hear

Any future agenda items from any of us here on the desk, if there be any? We'll start with Mr. McPherson.

Yes, I just want to follow up on a past general item, and I don't know if there's some procedures. I think we had voted to give the volleyball team the donation, and I don't know what the, I'm pretty sure there's some processes that have to be done, but a lot of us don't.

go ahead so for the volleyball team that the resolution was prepared and it will be presented next meeting we have the resolution and the staff report already prepared so it will be in the next on the next agenda okay that's it for me I have some stuff in mind in the comments and I just wait to that for that okay

I guess it wouldn't have to be voted on, but I think the event that we had on September the 5th, they want to do a follow-up, which I know they wouldn't be able to finish everything. They want to do a follow-up, and they want to set a tentative date for September the 19th to come back and finish doing some more painting and stuff. And I don't know if that would have to be an agenda item or just something that just keep moving forward.

My recommendation is always put it forth to the commission, and we can do a simple resolution for the next commission meeting and have it approved as a commission item.

Okay. Yeah, we have one before the 19th. Okay. Yes, well, I move that we place that on the agenda. The next agenda as far as scheduling the follow-up event for the cleanup on the Martin Luther King Park, which was put forth by the Parks and Recreation Committee.

I second.

Okay, we have a motion by Commissioner McPherson regarding a follow-up for the cleaning of MLK Park for the 19th, you said? For the 19th, and it has been seconded by Commissioner Cowan-Williams. Are we ready for a vote?

Commissioner McPherson?

Yes.

Commissioner Cowan-Williams? Yes. Commissioner Scott? Yes. Vice Mayor McDonough? Yes.

yes okay um commissioner carl williams um just if we can come up with a date for um we said we was going to have annual for all the kids that made fives um do we need to schedule a date for that let me get a date for that um Do we want to do it like we did last time, recognize them at the commission meeting and give them all their, they all got their recognition at a meeting. So do we want to do it in maybe October? Give us time to get all the information. We think October would be a good time. Maybe the second meeting in October, which will be.

Is that your motion?

27th.

It will be October, that will be October the 27th. to recognize all the kids. Second. Okay.

It has been motioned by Commissioner Karen Williams that we set aside a time to recognize the kids that have scored a five on their own.

In all areas.

In all areas, okay.

Yes, that's what we did last time, in all areas.

And it's seconded by Commissioner McPherson. Are we ready for a vote?

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

Yes. That's it. Okay. Commissioner Scott?

Yes. I know we discussed this at the budget meeting, but I'd like to have this on the agenda. When is the next meeting?

The next meeting is September 22nd.

I think we're supposed to get with Ms. Polanco to find out who applied for a permit to put someone on the cell tower. And I'd like to see the permits at the next meeting. And I'd like to see the cemetery, the contract, that we have with the people that are now at the next meeting.

I'll second. You want to do the first one first?

Oh, OK. You want to tell me? Yeah, one at a time. For future agenda items? Yeah. OK, it has been motioned by Commissioner Scott that we receive a list of the permits for the cell towers and seconded by Commissioner Karen Williams.

What is your pleasure?

Ready for a vote?

Commissioner Scott?

Yes.

Commissioner Cowan-Williams? Yes. Commissioner McPherson? Yes. Commissioner, I'm sorry, Vice Mayor McDonald?

Yes.

And what was your second one? I'm sorry. Can't you put it to the cemetery, to the property next to the cemetery?

The tree farm cemetery? Yeah. I got you. OK.

So I'm just asking a question. I think that we had asked for a list of all of the city properties, and that should be included.

You want to put that one in, too? OK. Why, ma'am? OK, we stated what you need.

Yeah, but he won't see the contract, because remember, we didn't know nobody was out there. So he asked for the contract.

Oh, OK. So you want the contract for the? The tree farm. The tree farm. OK. You second?

I second. OK.

It has been motioned by Commissioner Scott that we be provided a copy of the contract for the tree farm and seconded by which one of y'all was first?

I think Commissioner Cowan-Williams.

What is your pleasure? Ready for a vote?

Commissioner Scott?

Yes.

Commissioner Cowan-Williams? Yes. Commissioner McPherson? Yes. Vice Mayor McDonald?

Yes.

Okay. I think that I'm going to defer any items for the agenda at this time. And we'll hear from the public if we have. Do we have any public comments?

No, ma'am.

All right. No public comments. Okay. So any comments for the good of the order? We'll start with Commissioner Scott.

I don't have any right now.

I just want to say I appreciate I want to say thank you to the commission for allowing me to be on the phone. I had a doctor's appointment. So that's why I was late. I did call in to let the clerk know. So I want to say thank you for allowing that for me. And I want to say Thanks for everyone that's here, the few that we do have here. PBSO, thank you for your service. We're going to miss you. Thank you for all that you've done for us and what you will continue to do for us. And blessings in your new position and your new endeavors. We wish you well. And thank you for sending us someone that's going to be just as good as you were with us and taking care of us. So I want to say thank you to PBSO and the fire department. And we always thank you for your service that you provide for us and being there for us. So we want to say thank you. And also I always say I want to say thank you to my colleagues up here. Thank you all for such a great job that we're doing and we hear it positively in the community now and out of the community so i want to say thank you and how we're working well together and trying to move the city forward and also rebranding and refacing our community and also the residents say thank you thank you city manager and your staff for filling in the potholes they are very grateful and thankful so they did to make sure that i mentioned that that They said thank you at least that we're trying, and they see we're trying. They want to say thank you for that and for us to continue to keep up the good work and thanks, you know, for putting the city out there in a positive light. So I want to say and all to the city staff and everyone, thank you, and we appreciate what you're doing. Thank you, and have a good night. All right. Commissioner McPherson.

Yes, I want to thank our law enforcement and our first responders and all our city staff and our commissioners. One of the law enforcement officers said that teamwork makes the dream work. And when we work together as a team, we can get much more accomplished. And I want to give a very, very loud thank you. all the volunteers that came out for the cleanup MLK cleanup project that was put on by the Parks and Recreation Board those kids came out and they did a tremendous job with the painting it got a little hot so we kind of ended kind of earlier about 11, 1130, because it was extremely hot. But they wanted to come back and do another project to complete some of the work that they had started, which they're going to be coming back on September 19th, as well as the sponsors that we had. I think Bridges had donated some water and Gatorade for the kids to make sure that they were hydrated. And some of the city staff came out and even volunteered to help And I was excited about the things that were going on in Pahokee and to see everybody come together. And I think we had almost approximately almost 30 people out there doing the painting. We weren't able to get everything accomplished that we wanted to, but, again, they wanted to come back. And, again, I just want to thank all of those and even the sponsors that brought out some young men. as well as I think the girls volleyball team came out as well as the girls flag football team and there was some I forgot the name of the club, but it was some young men that came out and it was if and we'll be back on September the 19th if you want to help out we welcome and invite you to come out and Roll your sleeves up and let's get the job done. Let's take care of our city and make our city a everything that it can be oh yes and also we had mr. Ferguson Edwin Ferguson from the school board he even came over and Linda the hand well I'll say that that's what it takes oh you did you want to say something no you

I forgot to make one announcement as well. On tomorrow, there will be a grief counseling session in the cafeteria. For our community, the Glades community in all have had quite a few deaths, South Bay, Belle Glade, and Pahokee. And so even with Pahokee, with our little league football team, they've lost three coaches since January. And so this is a time that we need to gather around them and the entire community. So there was a Zoom call that was held last week And the call was placed for counselors to come out. It was amazing the number of counselors that came on the line to offer their help, their license. There were a few from Pahokee who are no longer living in Pahokee. One young man lives in New York, and he is clearing his calendar. He said if he can, he will be here. to offer his services and his help. So we're trying to offer the help throughout the glaze as much as we can to especially help our little children learn how to deal with death and grief as well as the adults as well. So we ask everyone to come out tomorrow. 6 o'clock p.m. in the cafeteria so that the services can be rendered to them, and hopefully they can leave here with quite a bit. There is a goal in place to help our citizens, our community in general. So we ask everyone to please come out.

And is Healthy Glades a part of that?

There are quite a few, of course. Ms. Annie is a part of that. She, as always, is one of the organizers of it. They are so, so gracious when I called her, because I called her for everything, because she knows everyone and is involved in everything, to say we need to help our children. And she had already shared that she and Ms. Mitchell had already been talking. They needed a location. And so we just shared what we needed in Pahokee, and they made it happen. So thank you so much.

City Manager, I would just like to say, unfortunately, tomorrow is open house for Pahokee Elementary. I would love to be there, but unfortunately, I won't be able to be there because our open house is from 5 o'clock to 7 o'clock.

Thank you so much for letting us know.

Could we allow as often as we can? Shield worker?

Shield worker?

Shield worker.

Okay.

Good evening, Mayor, Commissioner. My apologies for coming late. I was double booked today. For tomorrow, this is not going to be a one and done type thing. The folks that were on the call, we had licensed mental health professionals nonprofit organizations that have programs that work specifically with young people as well as adults. And so some of those organizations will be out tomorrow, but we're also looking at doing mental health first aid, not only for adults, but for children. It's almost like CPR, but it's for mental health, trying to identify no signs of how to support someone who's going through a crisis. And so we're working with Albert Jewish Services to provide those trainings. I'm getting recertified because I used to teach mental health first aid, so I'm getting recertified. And we're trying to get another person to get certified as well. But we're going to try to offer those classes. And we do have folks that are mental health professionals that are from the community that when we had the call on Thursday, just about everybody who was on the call was from the Glades, whether it was Belle Glade, South April, Hogan, they were from the community that wanted to help. And so what we're anticipating tomorrow is what we want to do is just give a space for folks to come together because this is a very difficult loss for your community. You've lost three coaches in less than a year. And, uh, It's an opportunity for folks to process their grief, but it's not going to be something that you share all your business. There's going to be another space for that. Since then, we've had a lot of parents that have been reaching out because some of their kids are having a hard time dealing with this most recent loss. And so between... myself and gotta give props to Angela Mitchell because she she called me as soon as this happened and said Annie um we need to do something and so uh of course I didn't have no problems doing that but yeah look if this won't be the one and done there'll be multiple opportunities and will be some virtual opportunities for folks to come together as well

Thank you so much for that, Ms. Ifill. We do realize the magnitude of what has transpired in our communities with the loss of several coaches since the beginning of this year. And we realize that our kids need to be able to express themselves and get that support that they need for their mental health. So thank you so much, you and Angela. and the rest of your staff and all of the other mental health professionals that are making a contribution to this effort. Thank you for that. What I'll say is I just thank you all for putting up with me for this meeting. This is the first time I had to chair the meeting, but I'm in a good spot and you guys know how to do what you do. It wasn't that difficult. Even though it's my first time, it was a little bit of a hesitancy until I got going. But anyways, I want to continue to encourage our community to step up and to pitch in whenever and wherever they can, especially concerning these situations that we're having to help our kids through. We want everybody to come out and make a contribution to the community where they can because We need, it's a team effort, you know, and we all got to do what we can to get to where we are trying to go. So thank everybody, you know, PBSO, Fire Rescue, all of you here, the city personnel and so on and so forth. So we need all hands on deck. So again, thank you so much for all you do and for all that you will continue to do. If nothing else. okay okay second all right roll call i mean i'm sorry it has been motioned for adjournment and seconded by um commissioner scott and uh seconded by i'm sorry commissioner carl williams i'm sorry

Okay, so motion by Commissioner Kyle Williams and second by Commissioner Scott? Yes. Okay. Commissioner Calvin Williams? Yes. Commissioner Scott?

Yes.

Commissioner McPherson?

I love all y'all and ain't nothing you can do about it.

Yes. Vice Mayor McDonald?

Yes.

All right. Meeting will turn at 745. review them and if any changes, we come across any changes that need to be made, we'll address them and bring you back.