Council - Special Meeting

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Good afternoon. This is the city of Riviera Beach special city council meeting. Today is April 27th, 2026. The time is 6:06 p.m. Madame Clerk. Mayor Douglas Lawson here. Chairperson Charlene Laneir here. Chairpro Tim Kosamba Miller Anderson. Yes. Council person Council Person Bruce Gton here. Council person Dr. Glenn Spiritis here. Council person Priscilla Davis Penner here. City manager Jonathan Evans present. City clerk Deborah Hall is present. City attorney Don W here. Madam Chair, you have a quorum. You may proceed.

Thank you. We will have a moment of silence followed by the pledge of allegiance by I by our vice chair. Do we have any uh additions, deletions, or substitutions for this special meeting? And the fact that is a special city council meeting, there cannot be any additions, deletions, or substitutions.

Madam Chair, if I may. Yes. Go ahead. Can we possibly have item 12 C come as the first item under discussions and deliberations? Okay, there you go, Madam Chair. Yes, go ahead. And I'd like to move 12 A up right after 12 C. Okay.

Wait, wait, wait. Uh, no. Move it to the regular agenda above 11B. It's a discussion item. I don't think that it can go under your resolution. Yes, discussion. It has to stay under the discussion. You can move it up at the top. Oh,

way uh it would have to be a resolution for us to move it to uh resolutions section of the agenda. Sir, [clears throat] we'll move 12 uh C up to uh before 12 A. Are there any other additions, deletions, or substitutions? Are there any disclosures in regards to any of the items that are listed on this agenda this evening? Hearing none. Can I get a motion to approve the agenda as amended? Second. Madam clerk.

Yes. Yes. Council person Dr. Spiritz. Chairperson Ler. That's a unanimous vote. We are at the area of our agenda that is the consent agenda and because we do not have any items on consent. Madame clerk, could you start with 11 A? Madam Chair, item 11 A under resolutions on regular agenda. Resolution number 2826, a resolution of the city council of the city of River Beach, Palm Beach County, Florida.

I'm sorry, madam chair. Didn't you move 12 C up before the resolution? No, I at the request of Mr. Evans. If they didn't move it. No, it's the first on the discussion part. Okay, that's okay. You can start again, Madam Clerk.

Okay. Resolution number 28-26, a resolution of the city council of the city of River Beach, Palm Beach County, Florida, authorizing the mayor and city clerk to purchase emergency medical services equipment sold from Striker through Savic Buying Group, a cooperative purchasing program not to exceed $1,350,000 with a 5-year annual payment of $266,3120. Authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute the purchase contract. Authorizing the chief financial officer to make payment from the appropriate account and approve the effective date. Madam chair, there are no comment cards for this item. The acceptance of cards is closed. So move second.

Madam chair, members of the board, if I can have the assistant fire chief, Mr. Alvin, to uh present this item. Good. Good evening, chair of the mayor and board. Um today uh this resolution we're um wanting to purchase uh new EMS equipment. This entails new uh life pack 35s um new AEDs, stretchers, power loads and and um automatic stair chairs um from um Striker and in this amount of 266,000 a year for the next five years. And we're just asking for your approval on this um item, please. Um, Madame Clerk, do we have any comment cards?

Madam Chair, we do not have any comment cards for this item. Any questions in regards to this item? Madam Clerk, Council Person Davis Pier, Council Person Gson, Chairp Miller Anderson. Yes. Council person Dr. Spiritz, Chairperson Laneir, that's a unanimous vote.

Thank you. We are on 7B. Resolution number 27-26, a reg a resolution of the city council of the city of River Beach, Florida, adopting a policy regarding payment of attorneys fees and costs for the mayor, city council members, officers, and employees, providing for several billability, and providing for an effective date. Madame Chair, we have seven public comment cards on this item. The acceptance of the cars is closed. Thank you, Mr. Evans.

I'm sorry. Motion to approve uh resolution number 2726. Mr. Evans that city attorney when present this item.

Good evening, madam chair. and members of the council. Mr. Mayor, um this matter concerns the adoption of a policy of the payment of attorney's fees and cost. Historically, the city council has paid or reimbured for attorney's fees of a council member in the past. However, the city doesn't have a policy um regarding this topic. So, before you is an actual policy, and I hope you've had a chance to um review it. By way of background, my office has located 14 municipalities [clears throat] in Palm Beach County that have a policy or an ordinance covering legal defense, a legal defense fund. Um, Palm Beach County has a policy addressing the reimbursement of attorney's fees in ethics matters only. The policy before you as drafted contains an upfront payment of attorney's fees and costs directly to the attorney selected by the individual with payments invoiced on a monthly basis. Um once you adopt the policy, the city attorney and the city manager administer the policy. A repayment agreement is entered into uh if the person but if the person pleads guilty or no contest, is convicted or is found to have acted outside the scope of their duties, acted in bad faith for personal gain, maliciously or not for a public purpose, repayment, it triggers a repayment clause and repayment must be made within 180 days. Um, the fee cap set out in the policy is up to $75,000 per matter unless the city attorney and city manager approve additional amounts. The hourly rate must be reasonable and customary for Palm Beach County. Um, in order for public officials or employees to be because this does apply to employees as well as officers and the officers would be the city attorney and the uh city manager. In order for them to be entitled to representation, the litigation must arise out of or be in connection with the performance of their official duties and must serve a public purpose.

If the city provides a defense and the and the person does not prevail or is found to have acted outside of his or her scope scope of his or her duties, the city should seek reimbursement of the fees paid. Do you have any questions? Madam Chair. Yes. Go ahead. Yeah. Uh councelor, can you tell me what the maximum is that we would pay on this?

Right now, the policy reads up to $75,000 per matter. Uh and then if additional funds are requested, that would be evaluated by the city attorney and the city manager and brought back to the council once that decision has been made. Just so that you would know. um not necessarily for you to vote on it. Thank you. Um can we get the public comment cards, please?

Yes, ma'am. Madam Chair, the first speakers are Annette Dragon, Erica Davis, and Rochelle Hughes. Hello everyone. I seem to be spending every meeting up here speaking to you. This legal fees situation is ridiculous. What you're looking at is if 10 people are looking for legal fees all at the same time. That's $750,000. We're paying for that out of our property taxes. What should happen is that legal fees should be applied for after the case is heard and then whatever the total amount to be reimbursed is made only if the person wins their court case. Advancing legal fees just isn't right. We don't get legal fees advanced to us when we take legal action. We got a cough up out of our own pockets. And the same should be true from every individual that works for the city, every counselor, the mayor, and anybody else who is affiliated with the city. That's all. The next speaker is Erica Davis, Rochelle Hughes, and then Foseman. Erica Davis, Rivier Beach. I have to laugh. Make it make sense. Who even created this resolution? Now, make it make sense. Let me let me let me let me just do this for a second because this is getting crazier every week. If they are being investigated for a criminal act

or they get convicted, if they can't pay their fees now, how in the hell are they going to pay it when they go to jail? What? Make that make sense to me. We are here at 1.5 I will say billion dollar in debt. 1.5 billion ladies and gentlemen in debt. You all have spent so much money on hotel fees, airplane fees, clothes, and now you're trying to fire our city manager. You have made bad decision on development deals. Given what? Three, four point five five 3.5 million worth of property to housing authority for a dollar for them to turn around and sell it. You just made a bad deal last week with Forest Development giving away our property for $4 million. And they have problems over there at Lake Park being sued and some of the council facing criminal charges for the sunshine law. Make it make sense people. Do you think we are a truest bank America of a bank of America? You think we just have a running ATM machine? If you do your crime, you pay for it cuz we know you're not going to pay it back. Cuz if you go to jail, you can't pay it back. Make it make sense. It's crazy. Y'all are really trying to use us. And like I say, we on that side of town. Whatever is built on this side of town,

we don't get anything from it. I'm just putting it out here, residents. And I got more to say, but y'all have some nerve. some real nerve. It's more to come, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you. The next speaker is Michelle Hughes, followed by Fain Mosman and Cindy March.

Good evening, city council staff, everybody. Um I'm $75,000 per person. Wow. upfront. That's a lot of money. I could use that. Um, so I'm kind of like not liking that amount. I don't know if it can be lowered and or maybe it's given after the case is through and you've prevailed. But, you know, we we have a really expensive water treatment plant going in right now. And if we did $75,000 and there were 10, that's $750,000 just right. There you go. So, that's a lot of money. Let's think about that. That could be a down, you know, someone could buy a house for $750,000. Um, so I'm kind of hoping that maybe we can tweak it a little bit. I get that if they do it in other municipalities, but maybe it's not as much or maybe half is given and then the the person who's um in the litigation or whatever has to come up with the other half and if they prevail then they get paid back the other half. I you know I don't know. I just just it seems like a lot of money and right now I don't think we the city are in that we're not rich. The city's not rich. We don't have money. There's not a tree. If there were a tree out there that had all that money on there, woohoo. We'd be singing and dancing and we'd have everything built and our taxes wouldn't go up. But we don't. So, I hope we think really think and and and listening to what Attorney Win said that there are other municipalities that do that. I didn't know that, but I just I just have

a hard time with that number, 75,000 and more if they agree to it. So, that's just my thoughts on it. Thank you. The next speaker is Fain Loseman, followed by Cindy March and Lorie Brown. Good evening, Fain Loman, Singer Island. This is a poorly written ordinance because it doesn't take in effect the comments made by the Supreme Court in a case that deals with this or the attorney general. It basically what happened is that the board would have to make its own decision as to should we allocate money ahead of time or not. Now, this is coming about, I'm sure, because the five FBI agents who came to city hall and served a subpoena for documents and emails on three elected officials, that's part of a grand jury investigation that could result in a criminal indictment. So, under the fifth amendment, serious felony charges have to go through the grand jury process. So, so if it comes back and who know that, you know, if they're going to get indicted or not and where the investigation was would be going, but if those felony indictments against any elected official, that can be extremely expensive battle to fight out, that could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. I think they need to be quite clear that that this taxpayers are not going to fund criminal indictments in the federal proc in the federal system and things that are a close call. They need to be put on the agenda and come back for all the council members to make a decision. You just can't have the city attorney and city manager make that

type of decision because they had a criminal case down in Miami where bill with $1.2 $2 million for an elected official. So once you open up that that line of money, it just keeps growing and they say like, "Well, I can't keep going. I don't have the money." That elected officials say, "Well, thinking you're going to claw back that money is not going to happen." So when you have a serious criminal indictment, that certainly cannot be covered. Now, when you have an ethics complaint, like when Boutell filed that sham ethics complaint against the mayor, that's one thing. Matter of fact, the mayor, you should really make it retroactive so he can get his legal fees back that he spent on Botel's sham complaint that she filed. But that's one thing to pay attorneys fees, but when you have serious federal criminal charges, the city cannot fund those in upfront. They can get they can reimburse the elected official if they're found not guilty, but they cannot reimburse those criminal charges upfront. The next speaker is Cindy March, followed by Lloyd Brown and Maline Irving Mills. Good evening, council. This why it's so important to keep your nose clean, being honest and transparent. Our residents are hurting whether we fly Jonathan Evans or not tonight. Some people need to be recalled on that board because this is utterly ridiculous because you know why I just requested for Laneir's spending for four or five months she have already spent over $28,000. And now you all talking about paying somebody legal fees when they be so rude, disrespectful.

They need to. They're despicable. I'm sick and tired and I'm tired and sick because I care for this lovely, beautiful city that we live in. This is a rich and beautiful city with some bad leadership and some bad management. We got to hold people accountable whether we like them or don't. I am tired knocking on people doors. People stopping me out the church in Sam's Club talking about the city of River Beach like I get a paycheck. I'm here to tell the truth and the truth need to be told. They do not need no one to pay for their attorney fees. They should have thought about it before they got their nose dirty. And I'm not saying that they are guilty. They're not guilty until proven guilty. But Lady March had a case where she had to pay for her own lawyer and she had four cases and only one stood up. And you know which one that was? Corruption. And you all are still corrupt. And it's come from the federal court. Ask for the public records. It's no he say she say. And she don't need me to speak for her because she's gone on. She's living a beautiful life. But you all going to have to take in account how you do these residents. They can't even afford to pay a water bill. More less drinking clean water. Enough is enough. This is the night. We need to get rid of the city manager and we need to get rid of the rest of them here got their nose dirty.

The next speaker is Lloyd Brown followed by Maline Irving Mill. Let me tell you, when I went to court, ain't nobody pay my fee. And you know what? When I did the crime, I had to do the time. And I mean, if I was wrong, my daddy wouldn't say, "Hey, I'mma pay for your court fee." Boy, you did that. That's on you. That's on y'all. And then too, you can't hide. You do stuff in here and people don't really notice it. If they do, they don't say nothing about it. You get up, you go talk to that council member and it's supposed to be open for them. And I noticed this and I'm not gonna I'm gonna read off the sunshine, but I'm gonna tell you like this because this is not my uh community comment. I'm going to tell you like this. You can't get up and go over there and talk to another member up on that board unless unless I mean and and not while you're voting anyway because if you voting on something and if you done got up and went talk to Spru or you done got up that's sparse. That's voided. I looked that up. I don't know y'all in the office. Y'all don't look this stuff up. God dog. You got to look it up. You can't just get up, Lawson, and go talk to him or or Miller, I ain't saying you do it, talk to him because that's not allowed in an open meeting. You get in his ear and you want to talk and now you want somebody to pay cuz you made the mistake. What were you asking him when you got in his ear? You want to take him on a date? Cuz if that was the case, then maybe I wouldn't want nobody to hear it. But that wasn't the point. If you got down in anybody ear over here, anybody one of y'all got up and talked to the other ones, all them votes y'all put in, look it up on the sunshine law, they avoid those. And this lady back here told me not to mention when y'all voted on the water plant cuz y'all got up and talked to each other. They could avoid that. Anything you voted for where you got up and talked to your

constituents, that's a big good word I use. You talk to your constituents about what's going on. Every vote you vote in is void. And then you know the state attorney, I call them up and asked them a few questions. See, y'all think I'm dumb, but I'm not. I might be stupid, but I'm not dumb cuz I'm stupid to come over here and keep trying to tell y'all what to do. Y'all like a chess board. You got to move, y'all. Y'all don't know how to do on things for yourselves. And then you sit over here like everything in the city is great. Everything is so great in River Beach. And that's BS. I wouldn't pay nothing. The last speaker is Maline Irving Mills.

Good evening, board. Mattaline Irving Mills, Riviera Beach. Uh, I don't understand how do we get to the point of saying somebody paying for a legal fee when you're the one who creates the issue. We are here tonight as a special meeting because of one person. One person wants to fire the city manager. One person has rallied, I imagine, two other uh supporters. But this one person doesn't think, Mr. Gayton, that you asking for a raise that you work so hard for is not factored into legal fees. You, Mr. Gayton, don't didn't take under account that getting the $1,000 water stipen when oh, the city is paying so much for the water bill will support a legal fee. So I don't understand when you say Mr. Evans works for us, you work for the constituents. When did you ask your constituents when you and Miss Wyn put this on the agenda? Would they agree to this? When did you get the permission? And I imagine the two other votes that will say whatever they're going to say tonight. But it just baffles me how you all supposed to work for the residents, yet you turn your backs and you rape us. Because when you're gone, that debt is on the residents, the taxpayers that pays your salary, your luxury spending. That's what who pays for that? Not Mr. Giden, not Mr. Evans, not Miss W, not Miss Paneer, not Mr.

Spiritis, not Miss Miller Anderson, and not Miss Laneir, and definitely not the mayor. It's the taxpayers that we hear nothing from you and your ideas of what your plans are. When we pay you the salary, we pay your benefits, and you don't think about us, but you're making a decision on behalf of us. Madame Chair, that's the end of public comment.

Um, yes. I I I would like to um to say this. I um in looking at this resolution really just kind of kept past it because I I didn't I mean I wanted to hear more about the reimbursement part of it. So, let me ask a couple questions. Attorney when how have we handled this in the past when legal issues came up? This issue, Madam Chair. Yes, go ahead. Um, this issue has not come up um in the seven years that I've been your city attorney. However, I understand that it had come up in the past, but I was not involved with that and I don't know whether it was upfront or on a reimbursement basis.

Okay. So, you know, I spoke with you when this was put on the agenda and, you know, asked questions about the reimbursement um option. Um, and I, like I said, I hadn't looked at it until, you know, I start getting my names for recall. So if you know if I'm going I the only reason why I looked at it again is because I'm like okay if I'm going to have to keep for every vote I make I'm going to have to be recalled or get an attorney because somebody's going to recall me for every decision I make and that's the only reason why I looked at it. Now I'm I'm I'm again asking for information on the reimbursement because I do agree with um the residents uh you know that this is that is a a heavy burden um for us to be able to you know pay out for me anybody else and how many people at one time could this you know impact that's a big amount so you know but like I said I hadn't even considered it until I started getting flyers with my name being recalled and I haven't even made a vote yet. So again, those are things that, you know, I look at when I'm make my decision, but I would still ask for information on the the option for reimbursement of uh legal fees. Thank you,

Madam Chair. Yes, go ahead. Uh, Attorney Win, can you tell me what municipalities have the uh a similar uh policy to one that you want us to adopt tonight? Or at least that's on the on the agenda tonight. Madam Chair, Dr. Spiritis, I don't have that list with me, but what I will tell you is that they are all on a reimbursement basis. They're all reimbursement. Yes. Okay, Madam Chair.

Yeah. I I make a motion that we amend this uh proposed resolution uh to be a reimbursement only if the person wins the case uh that they uh be reimbursed their fees for legal uh services. Um I would like to second that, but I want to make sure that it's clear a clear resolution, you know, and that you look at it from the legal standpoint. Attorney Win, I'm sorry, Madam Chair. No, go ahead. [laughter] Go ahead. But I am in support of a revised resolution. Yes.

And Dr. Speritis, it's not just that the person wins their case. There it's a two-prong. It has to be for a public purpose as well. Um, and it has to be arise out of or be in connection with the scope of their official duties. So, it's not just a not-uilty verdict, if you will. Madam Chair, yes. Yes. I amend my motion to reflect what attorney W just said. Madam Chair, what have we been operating under previously? Because I mean, people have been reimbursed, right?

We had one former council person that was reimbured. there was an ethics um case that that the person had and they were found to not have been um not have violated any ethics laws and we brought that before you and you all accord under the law under the case law approved the reimbursement of their attorney's fees. Yes. But we didn't have anything where it was laid out as to whether or not if it was an ethics um case, if it was So right now we're saying any type of case. This policy before you is for just for criminal matters. I can't remember because it we had several drafts. Well, it said rec

and it may include ethics um opinions as yes in commission the commission on ethics for Palm Beach County and the state commission on ethics as well as um there are some instances of civil actions and recall petition challenges. So Mr. Spiritis' um his amendment is just making changing it to say reimbursement from being upfront and everything else is going to stay the same. Yes. Um, you you all can weigh in on the amount. Um, I mean, it's reimbursement now, so you don't we would take out I would take out the individual advancement of up to $75,000, right,

Madam Chair? Thank you. So, attorney when the policy that we're operating under, um, a few years back, I was accused of a ethics violation or claim that I was wrongfully accused and found later to be, um, not guilty of any ethics violations. Would I be able to be reimbured for those fees? Submit that to my office. I would have to take a look at it. I don't want to give you a yes or no answer right now. I'd have to review it.

So, this policy is what policy are we operating in currently under? It's not a city policy. It is what the law requires. So, for instance, had we not reimbursed the former council person in the ethics case that she was involved with and she was found not to have violated any ethics rules, she could have filed a lawsuit against the city and she would have been successful in that lawsuit because we were obligated to pay reimbursement of her fees. Thank you,

Madam Chair. So with this section, one of the things that is listed as being covered is criminal investigations. So under the law that we've been following because we didn't have an actual policy, was that a part of it?

Oh, they're two separate areas. Sometimes the statute covers it, but then case law covers it and case law can cover has been used to cover criminal matters as well. I think that my my position on this is the fact that I am not guilty of anything. People have accused me of who knows what. But to be in a position of as an elected official and have to spend my money because to prove my innocence, I don't think that that is fair. I am not guilty of anything. People are released every week for innocence because they were in jail for 20 years and they didn't do it. It is a situation where I have to spend money, 30, 40, 50, whatever, how much thousands of dollars to be able to prove my innocence. And I don't think that's fair as an elected official. That if someone is accusing me of something, I have the right to defend myself. I have the right to be able to have an adequate defense. But not having any money to do that, we get what? $19,000 a year. Some of us have jobs. Some of us don't. And when you have people who want to be a part of uh government for the city of Riviera Beach, you want to be a government and somebody accuses you of something and you have to pay for it. That will dissuade a lot of people from even becoming elected official. There is no way that we are in a position where if we are accused of something then we have to go and borrow money or uh mortgage our house to be able to have a defense because I am not guilty of anything.

And to have an adequate defense, I have to be able to have money to do that. And that is just unfair to any elected official, not just myself, any employee. if an employee is is accused of wrongdoing. So that means that they have to put up the money for themselves to be able to prove that they are innocent. And in the end, like the mayor, in the end, it was he was not convicted of anything. It was an ethics charge that didn't go anywhere. So you have to spend money to be able to prove your innocence. So now a person is bankrupt, but you're innocent. I just don't think that that is fair to a person who spent the time and the energy to go and get elected and to up to any point have not been accused of anything. But when they are accused now, it's an automatic guilty or it's an automatic they must have done something wrong. And that is not fair. So, we're in a position where we have to fight for ourselves. And so, the residents say, "Just fight for yourself. That's on you." But I'm innocent. So, now we're put in a position that we have to bankrupt ourselves to be able to have a defense, an adequate defense. Thank you,

Madam Chair. Yes. Um, attorney when the case law and statute that you referred to, does that include city employees or this one here is adding city employees in it? It can include city employees. Yes, city employees and the officers. the one that we've been operating under, not this case law supports employees and officers as well as elected officials. Okay. Acting again for a public purpose and in their official capacity. Okay. Thank you.

Any other questions in regards to this item? Yep, Madam Chair. Yes. Go ahead. Attorney Winso, can you tell me how many times has the city defended any uh member of the council or uh officer of the city uh with respect to being reimbursed? One elected official, former elected official was reimbursed for attorney's fees in an ethics matter before the Palm Beach County Commission on Ethics. Have we have we defended any Have we sent an attorney to defend anybody? No, we did not. She retained that attorney on her own and then submitted the invoices for reimbursement.

No, no, attorney Win, what I'm what I'm saying is did we send an attorney to defend anyone previously without being reimbursed? Have we provided counsel to any employee or any officer or council member irrespective of that particular case? No, not that I'm aware of. I'm sorry I can't hear you. because they are able to hire their own attorneys. Correct. Under this under the law because we did not have a policy. We did it on a reimbursement basis. Madam Chair,

so so my motion is to uh make this a reimbursement uh resolution and not to upfront the $75,000. Second. We have a motion on the floor which is an amendment to the um earlier motion. Any questions in regards to this item? Madame clerk council person Davis Pier clarification. The motion was amended. I just want to be sure clear. Okay. Yes. Counc.

Yes. But I reserve the right to revisit it at this meeting if I so choose. Chair pro Tim Miller Anderson. No. Council person Dr. Spiritis. Yes. Chairperson Laneir. The item passes with chairperson Laneir and chairp Miller Anderson dissenting.

The next item madam chair is okay. The next item is resolution 48-26, a resolution of the city council of the city of River Beach, Palm Beach County, Florida, authorizing the initiation of the negotiations of a third party marina management agreement between city of River Beach and Seven Kings Holdings for third party marina management services obtained through a request for proposal number 26-002 authorizing the city manager to identify a negotiation committee and provided for an effective date. Madam chair, we have one public comment card on this item. The acceptance of cards is closed.

So move. Madam clerk, I'm sorry, Mr. Evans. Madam Chair, members of the board, if I can have the director of procurement to make this presentation. Madam Chair. Yes. Go ahead. Hello. Good evening.

Good evening. Latana [clears throat] Ammons, director of procurement for the city of Riviera Beach. At the request of the finance department, the procurement department issued an RFP in accordance with chapter 16.5 of the Riviera Beach code of ordinances. The RFP is seeking a qualified experienced vendor to provide thirdparty marina management services. And this particular solicitation was advertised on the city's website um in Bitbet Direct on November the 17th, 2025. As outlined in the solicitation, the selected vendor will be responsible for providing thirdparty marina management services. The solicitation was distributed to 99 vendors that had registered on Bitnet under those NIGP codes. Three proposals were received by the deadline. two were deemed responsive and moved to the evaluation phase. As a result of the evaluation committee, Seven Kings Holdings was ranked number one with a proposal score of 1002.50 points and Yacht Management of South Florida has a second ranking of 92750 points. Based on the results of the evaluation committee, the procurement department along with the finance department is seeking approvals to move into contract negotiations with Seven Kings Holdings.

Do we have any public comment cards on this item?

Madame Chair, we have one public comment card. Rosemary Camelio. Okay. But Rosemary is not here. Oh, she's [clears throat] good evening board members. We're about We are about to fail our youth. I'm here to speak for the children of Rivera Beach as they have no voice at the moment. Our children have the rare unique opportunity to live in a great waterfront community with a future that could involve maritime related programs. Let's look at what their future could look like. Careers in marine sciences, learning, using their waterfront for research and hands-on labs, marine services, boat building and repair, seammanship, hands-on learning and docking, navigation, underwater robotics, fishing industry, scuba diving certification. Skilled labor is an invol an evolving marine industry in Florida. It's home to 14 billion dollar marine industry. It is in order to meet that demand they need to enter this maritime workforce. It's crucial for our children's for forecast here is indicating the economic growth and employers are going to be seeking skilled techs in the marine industry.

So, ma'am, let's let's look um I just wanted to ask are we are you referring to the contract and the agreement that we have on the agenda? Yeah.

Oh, I'm sorry. Okay. Uh let's look at the waterfront. Okay. That Kings Holding Marina um Kings Holding will be Marina. They'll be doing the marina portion of it. Um, and once we get our I mean on the waterfront we have retail, residential, hotel, parking, convention center, marina with yachts, cruise, ferry connections, a dog park, a sculpture park, fountains, stage seedings. Where are the children in this? Okay, once we get our comprehensive plan done, we can address the more major issues to protect our children. But as for this evening, in reviewing this marina management services agreement, I see our children and jobs for our residents have been left out. This agreement should stipulate that this third-party seven kings holding should commit to a certain amount of Rivera Beach jobs for locals and also for training programs for our children of Rivera Beach. Seven King Seven Kings will be overseeing boat slips, rentals, fuel sales, convenience store sales, and maintenance and repair, marketing. Please, the demand that our children's future and jobs for our Rivera Beach citizens are protected in this agreement. Thank you. Are there any questions in regards to resolution 48:26?

Uh, Madam Chair. Yes. Go ahead. Um, what the resident said is something that a lot of people up here have been advocating for for a long time.

Madam Chair, it's it's the microphones, not him speaking low. So, we just need to get the microphones working. Walter, thank you, Madam Chair. Uh, Madam Chair, what I said is that what the resident just said, many of us up here have been advocating for that for a long time, for local residents to have an opportunity to participate um in an industry to gain a skill that will allow them to live a productive life. Um, I do agree with the resident. We should have some type of consideration in this agreement to allow um locals who may already have skills and others who may need training in the area uh to participate in this industry. So, I would hope that we would consider um is anybody here from Seven Kings? Madam Chair, I would move to table this until we have a discussion with somebody from Seven Kings.

Madam Chair, I don't know if that was a motion, but I did have the same question. I wanted to follow up with Seven Kings. Were they notified, attorney? I'm sorry. Um, Director Evans,

I do not believe that they were notified. um about the special meeting tonight. Um we were asking just to move into negotiations tonight um versus presenting the final contract um which we were we want to come before the board um at the second meeting in May with a contract because the current agreement expires May 31st. So, that was the question, Madam Chair. Um the I wanted to ask the actual um organizers, I'm sorry, not the organizers, the the party, Seven Kings. Uh who have they hired local? What does this look like? Because they're the current operator now at the marina. Um what type of job opportunities, resource, what are the community benefits? How can they provide resource and support to maybe the high schools to train up some of the young people in our community? So before we go into contract negotiations, I would also agree with uh Commissioner uh Giden in regards to allowing them to come answer some questions, talk to what uh procurement department was um can actually do and provide for the services and see what they're willing to do with the negotiations and if not then go on to the next uh party.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, yeah, I second the motion. I I assume the motion is to table it until the next meeting. Yes, that is correct. Madam chair, if I may.

Um, this particular item before you is to authorize the selection of a negotiation committee. Um, would it be permissible for staff to have the conversations with uh, Seven Kings to effectively when they do come back before you all, they can outline basically some of the items that the board has articulated as it relates to its concerns because Director Ammons, correct me if I'm wrong, Seven Kings did provide notification that if there's not an agreement by June 1st, invariably they're going to to walk way unless there's some extension that's provided for. So, you know, we need some some, you know, direction from the board. Is it would you like for staff to have a subsequent conversation with them and look to bring something here probably your second meeting in May or does the board want us to bring back something that gives us an extension on the contract so we can have them come before you? You can give us clarity and direction. we can then go back and negotiate and then bring an item before you all because we don't want to have a lapse in in in service uh with that particular contractor contractor and uh director Ammons I don't know if there's anything I misspoke uh or anything that needs [clears throat] to be added for the board's consideration

yes go ahead

CFO would be the correct person because the finance department manages the contract but from a procedural um perspective we would like um is the board's direction to either move into negotiations and bring, you know, have an opportunity to meet with seven kings to iron out the board's concerns and come back and have them addressed in a contract or um work with them to have an extension of the current contract because um I believe u Mr. Sherman did share that they have given notice if we don't have an agreement by June 1. U Madam Chair, what I would like to do is have a discussion with seven kings before we start negotiations. And the first meeting in May is enough time if we come to some type of agreement, a resolution for you all to go back and meet that June 1st deadline. This is not no timesensitive issue here. Um there are other good management companies out there as well. Um but if we can reach an agreement then we move forward. If not my point is they not driving this train. We driving it. Yes sir.

We can table there's a motion and a second to table this. we can t table this into the first the first meeting in May and at that time um I'm assuming that city administration procurement would have had conversations with the um seven kings holdings to be able to um relay our concerns in regards to um a contract with them. Yes, ma'am. Okay, very good. That will be the first meeting in May. Uh a motion um and a second for the tableabling has made. Any other questions in regards? Yes. Table it or postpone that?

Whichever is appropriate like similar postpone to that date. Postpone to the May. Okay. You can minute to postpone it. Postponing. Yes. All right. And so it'll be postponed to the meeting which is May 6. Uh your second still stand. Madam chair, my second is with that. Very good. Any other questions? Madam clerk Davis Pier. Council person Davis Pier. Okay. Gaiton. Yes.

Chle Miller Anderson. Council person Dr. Spiritz. Yes, Chairperson Laneir. That's the unanimous vote. [clears throat] Madam Chair, before we continue, I just want to acknowledge the mayor of Lake Park. Mayor Roger Mashad is in the building and I just want to say welcome to our city meeting and thank you for joining us tonight. All right,

Mashad. Madam Chair, we are uh discussing item 12 C, discussion concerning extending contract with the Gaines Law Firm. Madam Chair, we have two public comment cards on this item. The acceptance of the cards is closed. How many? Okay. Uh Mr. Evans, you want to M this time if I I can ask attorney Tason Gains to come up to the podium and address the board.

Okay, Mr. Gains.

Yes. Good evening board, Chairperson Laneir, council members, mayor, city manager, city attorney, Tason Gains from the Gains firm. Um, I want to your allowance read in a email that was sent to this entire council regarding the status of this investigation. Thank you. Email reads, "Good afternoon and thank you specifically attorney Win for your April 23rd correspondence. I write respectfully both to clarify my position concerning investigative materials and to request support for a narrow procedural accommodation necessary to complete the process this council has authorized. First topic is the non-disclosure outset. Neither the city manager nor underside council has refused council being myself has refused compliance with any lawful public records obligations or requests. The issue is in fact a narrow issue. The issue is whether compelled disclosure of interim investigative materials during a still open investigation. An investigative process would compromise the due process rights, invade protected work product, prejudice affected employees, and impair the inquiry the council has commissioned. To the extent any prior communication created any uncertainty regarding the ongoing status of the investigation, I regret any lack of clarity. Sorry.

And wish to make the record clean and plain. This investigation remains active and is proceeding in good faith towards formal and final findings. Second topic, city attorney and mayor's outside council establishment, observance, and enforcement of confidentiality during this active investigation. Respectfully, council members, the confidentiality position asserted in my email previously follows protocols that were previously established right here by this very same commission and applied by the city itself. As reflected in the April 3rd, 2024 council proceedings, this council recognized confidentiality attendant to the former mayor's investigation until completion. When attorney Bridgemond was introduced, um, city attorney Win advised and cautioned, quote, "This investigation or that investigation, excuse me, is ongoing." Attorney Shauna Bridgeman is here to answer your questions because you know as much as she possibly can without the because the investigation is not complete. I don't know how much she can share. I'll let her handle that. And there is a request for additional funding to finance the investigation. That was the quote here when Attorney Bridgemond brought the former mayor's investigation. Confidential until complete. The observance of and caution on confidentiality of investigation at the council's meeting on April 2nd, 2024 was preceded by the clearly established and citywide confidentiality directive of February 2nd, 2024 through managerial

staff. Attorney Bridgemond herself stated on behalf of the former mayor and with your concurrence, council members, prepared a draft memorandum directing its execution and distribution by city manager Evans which instructed in part, quote, "The investigation is confidential until it is completed. Therefore, you are directed to keep the investigation information confidential. You may not communicate with others regarding the a existence of the investigation, b the identity of any of the parties including any complaining parties, responding parties or witnesses, or c any factual matters of which you are aware or become aware. Madam chair,

yes. Yeah. Attorney Win, can you tell me whether or not this attorney has any authority to tell the city council what to do and what they can do and what they can't do pertaining to this investigation? Madam Chair. Yes. Go ahead. It has been my position that he cannot. Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, yes. Hold on a second. Are you finished? Uh, sir, I'm not. Thank you. Go. May I continue? Yes. Go ahead.

Okay. This council properly followed the established protocol that this council set on March 14, 2025 in a me memorandum to council person Shirley Laneir in which it explains the delay in my formal appointment. It was confirmed the propriety of following the same confidential process for the investigation as was conducted with the former mayor's investigation affirming in part and I quote I have no problem I'm quoting attorney win I have no problem entering into an agreement with the gains firm and with whom all six individuals have agreed to. Mr. Evans has stated that quote, "This matter should be handled in the same manner as the mayor's legal representation to ensure consistency and adherence to established processes." On this, I agree with Mr. Evans. Close quote. [snorts] Council members, I thank you. I appreciate you for your prior recognition of the importance of consistency with the process and with investigations as a whole. I respectfully seek the same continue here. Consistency in process is itself, a component of fairness, particularly where reputational and employment interests have already been materially affected. For that reason, I am concerned that requests for interim production before completion departs from those previously acknowledged principles and risk prejudicing. excuse me, and risk prejudicing against the process intended to afford six adversely implicated employees a meaningful opportunity to be heard. I also note respectfully that

requests directed into an active investigation process raise institutional considerations beyond ordinary records administration including preservation of investigative investigative independence and the charter's intended boundary between oversight which is essential and intrusion into ongoing administrative processes which the charter seeks to avoid. I recognize and I respect council person Giden's stated concerns regarding responsiveness to employees and accountability. I do not question the sincerity of his statements. My concern is simply that those legitimate objective be pursued through means consistent with the structure the charter and council has established and previously followed. Full due process does not preclude accountability. It strengthens the legitimacy of any accountability that follows. Third component, I apologize, but I want to make sure this is clear in the record.

Okay.

Acknowledgement and commitment to appropriate public records disclosure. Nothing I want to reiterate. Nothing in my position council should be understood to be in conflict with any public records disclosure laws. This is about confidentiality and consistency with the chapter 119 of the charter, the professional service agreement and the applicable privileges and protections. What I cannot responsibly permit is a premature disclosure that may compromise pending findings, two, impair due process afforded affected employees, three, risking waiver of protected materials, or create avoidable prejudice to the city's institutional interests. For those reasons, I respectfully maintain my objection to compelled interim production while the investigation remains incomplete. Lastly, a necessity of limited enlargement of time for completion of the investigation. Relatedly and in the same spirit of orderly completion, I respectfully request that you support and the council ratifies a narrow completion extension of the contract permitting presentation of the report two business days following the medical clearance and participation by the remaining adversely implicated employee followed by final appropriate preview by the designated beneficiaries. As you know, city manager has already exercised administrative discretion to accommodate this necessity. This request does not seek to reopen or prolong the process, but to provide the modest flexibility necessary to complete it fully and fairly. The accommodation would advance three shared objectives that we all have. First, completeness. It ensures no one is left unheard and

the council receives a complete record. Second, protection. It avoids premature action on an incomplete record and reduces avoidable risk to the city. Third, credibility. It ensures the final report presented to this body is something the council and the public can rely upon with confidence. This request is not made for a delay. It is made for completion. There is a meaningful difference. Indeed, I respectfully submit this is a win-win proposition. It pres preserves full opportunity for accountability while ensuring any action rest on a process whose fairness and completeness can withstand scrutiny. Proceeding two business days later with a complete record is respectfully preferable to proceeding now with a not fully heard participant and the record and reviews unfinished. To avoid unnecessary dispute and preserve an orderly orderly record, I intend to proceed towards submission of the completed record through the mayor uh council chairperson and the clerk in the manner previously contemplated. I would welcome your support for this narrow accommodation and remain available to find in good faith a path that protects the transparency, fairness, and institutional integrity alike. Thank you,

Madam Chair. Madam Chair, Madam Chair, um I'm sorry. Um I did have a a quick comment because Hold on a second, Mayor. Thank you, Madam Chair. Commissioner Gen. Madam Chair, I think you gave me a clearance earlier. Okay, go ahead.

Thank you, Madam Chair. And to that point, um I'm not sure did we have any public comments? I I did want to allow for the public to appine, but I I guess the concern I have, Madam Chair, is that we did just have a a seven to 10 minute presentation by Attorney Gains. Thank you for the disclosure, but this item was placed on the agenda by Councilman Gayton uh for discussion at our last meeting. I'm not sure who unilaterally made the decision to allow for attorney gains to come and present, but we needed an update, but I think we would have been offered the courtesy of having uh Councilman Gayton lead the discussion. One, two, I'd also like for public comments because I have a list of questions as well, but because it is Councilman Gayton's uh item, I would like for public comment go first and then yield to Councilman Gayton for his item.

Okay. And I agree today. But let me clarify something. I did speak to attorney Win and asked her to have Mr. Gains here because he's the only one that can answer the questions about the status of this um case here. but he was requested to be here and follow up madam chair and I figured as much and thank you attorney gains for being here my my question was just in regards to the grace of allowing you to lead the item being that this is item you added the last meeting so that we could know that going to the meeting we wouldn't know with the meeting just starting or with the item starting as is thank you madam chair thank you

yeah we were going to do public comment I think

we'll go to public comment The first speaker is Maline Irving Mills, followed by Alicia Franks. Mattaline Irving Mills, River Beach. Thank you, Mr. Gaines, for showing up. Thank you for being thorough. You restore the faith and the integrity of the due process for our legal system. Uh there has been many concerns about this supposedly inquiry at first, then it became investigative and then it became a punitive thing. uh trying to I guess discipline for one the city manager for two Miss Jacobs and all of the name parties. Sadly enough that they were not given the opportunity to have their side heard yet they were crucified in this particular report. It continues to show the one-sidedness and the divisiveness of previous boards and the current one. It loads my heart. I don't want to say load. It just it just vexes my spirit to know that these people get paid a salary from tax dollars, businesses, and residents and yet yet do what they want to do. I don't get my money back for anything,

but you get to rape the residents. We get nothing. You don't listen to us. You don't hear us. So, thank you, Attorney Gains, for for that presentation. Thank you, Mr. Gayton, for letting him come and speak because it's sad enough that the report was one-sided. all of the hearsay. This is not a friends and family workplace. It is a workplace. It's a municipality. And as Miss Paneer said, you may not we may not agree with everything you say. However, talk to the residents first. So, I'm not Hold on. I'm not saying that you don't, but I'm saying when you come to these reports, this was a bogus report. This lady got paid $60,000 onesided. The other side needs to be heard. Then you make your decision. Not on hearsay. because you don't hear what we say. Thank you. The next speaker is Alicia Franks. I agree. Bogus. [sighs] Here goes. This is part two that I spoke about. I'm speaking on behalf of my sister and all employees have experienced abuse under the power of this administration, but mostly about this investigation. Number one, there is no resolution that was ever signed for the $65,000 agreement. I have asked I've submitted

public records request. It should be. Is that a misuse of taxpayers dollars? Number two, city manager needs to answer that one. Number two, I have in this packet metadata that shows screenshots that were manipulated by private devices by outside parties before you ever saw it. This was a shadow deal drafted to bypass this council. Evidence shows chairperson Lenir, the city manager, the assistant city manager using their private email accounts to coordinate the contract. My sister has provided you with copies of the emails and texts, providing the tastes and games refused to even respond to her. I'm speaking. I was there. I can speak. I'm speaking. I am speaking. I I would like to hear you. That's my issue. I would like for them to start you over so I can hear because I have been distracted from the time you were down there speaking all the way here and I'm really trying to hear her.

Oh, should I start over? Hold on. Are you finished though? Do Okay. So, can she can we hear her so that we're not distracted? Do you mind, please? Ma'am, M madam chair, do you mind? No. Go ahead. Okay. Come on. I can speak on the mic then. Um, we're having an issue with the microphones. I need you to wait until the person's speaking and then when it's not rolling anymore, then you try to speak. We're having some issues with some of the mics. Hello, Dr. Spirit. You heard that? You see? Thank you. Thank you. Can you hear now? All right. I agree, Miss Meline. Bogus.

It is bogus. Again, I'm here to speak on behalf of my sister and dedicated city employees that have been experienced a systematic abuse of power of abuse by this administration. They have been silenced too long. Number one, the manager signing authority. He signed a contract and finalized it without a resolution. I submitted public records request. There is no resolution for $65,000 contract. In this packet, you will find metadata screenshots proving that the contract was manipulated by private devices by active parties before you ever saw it. Evidence shows chairperson Lenir the city manager Evans assistant city manager used private email accounts to coordinate the pro professional services agreement with Mr. Tason Gains. I have also in this packet a scrubbed email that shows Mr. Gains for it foring it that scrap that scrubbed it and it shows that it also shows an editing of a disbarter turning Mr. Jacob Rose that edited the agreement. I ask you councel, this city doesn't deserve this. Nor does my sister. That's why she does not want to speak. Imagine having the murderer. The murderer investigate his own crime. A lady was asked to give her documents to the city manager. She agrees with the hostility. This whole investigation has allowed these employees to be beat up over and over. $65,000 you approved. Imagine. So I ask you, should this investigation

go on, did you also know I ask you that a lady be given rights to her office? She only has access to the bathroom and her office. I ask youth to restore those as well. The hostility goes on and on and on and I have documented proof. So with that, I do ask that Miss Sherinir not be allowed to vote on this matter. I also will presenting to you city clerk a packet of everything. I also will be presenting public records request for the public. I think

and integrity will win. I thank you so very much.

I just hold on one second. I just wanted to say that um maybe some people are not aware of what this issue is. This is a contract extension regarding the Gaines Law Firm. About two years ago, there was a mayor's report from the then the then uh mayor Ronnie Felder and it was a report that he spoke to 33 employees, excuse me, 33 employees asking them about their workplace, asking them about what was happening in their work space. um the people that they were accusing of wrongdoing never had an opportunity to respond to any of it. The 33 people that were interviewed um said things about different other employees um none of that information was ever shared with HR. It was not never shared with their supervisors. So the city, myself included, said that the people who were affected, which were about six individuals who were listed prominently in that report, that there were six people that they needed to be able to have their voices heard because the accusations um against them um Miss Franks included, the accusations were and as one resident said, bogus, but also too it did not give these people an opportunity to defend themselves. And so what has happened is that this council said that okay because this whole report was not even geared towards a response from the accused we would provide funding to make sure excuse [clears throat] me to make sure that the people who were named had an opportunity to defend themselves. That is what Mr. Gains Law Firm is doing. He is having he is making sure

that the people who were featured prominently in these uh in this report had the opportunity to defend themselves and that is what this is about. Um this was something that not just Shirley Laneir um but it was a majority of the council who said that this should happen. the original report. I voted against it because there was nobody in that report for a rebuttal. This new report that's being conducted by Mr. Gains is something that I did vote for so that people can get their voices heard. Now, the issue here is that there was one of the employees who was named did not have an opportunity to defend herself. So, we extended the contract for her to be able to do that.

Now, if that is something that this board is going to take up, then that is fine. But what needs to happen is that [clears throat] we have this discussion in regards to what this all means. And I think that we're talking about a 2-year-old report and we're talking about a situation where we need to put this to bed. And in doing that, we give people an opportunity to defend themselves. Everybody who is accused of something has the right to defend themselves. And that is where we are with this particular report. Madam Chair, I'm I'm sorry. It's it's Mr. I'll come back to you,

Commissioner Gon. [clears throat] We can't hear you. light is still

testing. Testing. Okay. Um thank you, Madam Chair. And I do agree that um a rebuttal should have been done in the first investigation. Anybody who was accused of anything should have had an opportunity to respond. What I don't agree with is to have every accusation that was made by 33 employees sumearily dismissed as having no validity. All 33 people didn't lie.

Okay. So, we do need to identify maybe some embellishment somewhere, maybe some disgruntle, but all 33 did not lie. And my problem is is that the city manager, who is one of the six that was accused of some things, he's part of the team that is doing the report. That's a conflict. He shouldn't be part of that team. He's one of the accused. And not only that, um my name was mentioned tonight by Attorney Gains. I did a public records request. Mr. Evans and um Attorney Gains refused my request. So I'm like, "Wait, wait, wait. Slow your roll. This is public record here. So when he start talking about confidentiality, I went to the attorney to find out if the basis in this case actually falls under that particular statute to see if I want to stay in line with the law. And attorney Win, you didn't know I was going to call on you, but I need you to tell the people what you told me about that particular section that he's referencing.

Madam Chair, yes. Go ahead.

There [clears throat] were several sections um referenced by Attorney Gains uh when he was claiming exemptions to the public records law, which is what the law requires. If you make a public records request and the party who has the material, the information, the documents, if they don't believe that you have you're entitled to them, they have to cite the statute. The statute that he cited initially dealt with law enforcement and correctional officers. And so I pointed out to him that none of those six individuals fall within that category. None of them were law enforcement and correctional officers. Um, and so he and I went back, you know, back and forth a bit on different exemptions, and I continued to point out that many of them, most of them did not apply. The other rule with the public records is that if you believe that something is uh exempt, you're supposed to redact it and give what isn't exempt. And that has not been done. So, Madame Chair, [clears throat] so I have a problem with one, the city manager even working on this investigation that he's one of the accused. Two, Mr. Gains after being told and identifying the law and he could have refuted it, he wasn't able to refute it. So he he um he switched over to what the protocol was. That's what he was talking about protocol that we did this way before. I sent an email to him today. I said protocol does not supersede Florida statutes. in his contract, he is required to adhere

to the public records law. If you had a legitimate reason, fine. He has not produced it. So, he's not going to come here and throw around confidentiality as if somehow everybody just going to eat it up and you can't. No, no, no, no. You need to be able to cite a specific statute that prohibits me, not not because I'm a council person, from receiving the information. Another issue I got, the only person who has seen the information is Mr. Evans, who is one of the accused. The other six, they were recently contacted. It's been a year. Matter of fact, it's past the year. And for this council not to have received any documents and data to substantiate paying invoices, we're being dericked. I'm I'm I'm trying to stay within the perimeters of the law. I'm doing a public records request. I could have just said, "Hey, I want to see it. I'm a council person." And we the ones signed the contract. Mr. Evans didn't sign the contract. I mean, Mr. Evans signed the contract, but we allowed him to be one of the contact people. But the last thing, and I'm going to get off of this, Mr. Evans does not have the authority to extend the contract. And I I looked for it in the contract, but I couldn't find it. Uh, is it somewhere in there, Attorney Gains, where Mr. Evans has the authority to extend the contract? Could you cite it for me?

Um, you you Mr. Gains. Yeah, the attorney. I'm sorry, Attorney Gains. Yes. If Yes, please. Please, for first thing, just cite the section where Mr. Evans has the authority to extend the contract. Wait, wait. Slow down. Slow your roll. Talk up. Talk up so the people can hear you. Um, I think an interpretation of the charter would be best determined by the city attorney. I'm not hired to do that. Okay, good point. Uh, attorney when in your opinion, does Mr. Evans has the authority to extend this contract?

Yes. Go ahead.

Yeah. That was a no. So, we've have a lot going on behind the scenes that a lot of people don't know about and they're wondering why, well, Bruce, why are you up there doing? Because I know a lot that you all don't know. He doesn't have the authority to extend the contract. I knew that. [clears throat] But for for them to deny a public records request, not from just me, but I heard I heard another young lady say she submitted one. We hired you to comply with the law. If it's against the law, don't do it. But you can't refuse you and Mr. Evans because he trying to draft this narrative that he's going to be exonerated. He shouldn't even be involved. if you're an accused, you shouldn't be involved in any way whatsoever other than being interviewed. And then he refused a city council person for seeing what we paying for the the residents paying for. Now that that is a bit much. So on that note, I'mma let um [clears throat] Oh, one more thing. There was a mention about there was a there was not a resolution to even pay the attorney. Can can somebody clarify that for me? Was there a resolution to pay the attorney? Mr. Gains, I mean attorney gains, I'm sorry. Yeah, Madam Chair, if I may, um, just just a couple of items with regards to this particular matter. Uh, with respect to my, uh, email correspondence is that there the email correspondence was that there was no issues with

regards to administration extending the the terms and conditions of the contract. I believe Mr. Gaines has attempted to come before this board I think at least two or three occasions and because of the late hour as some of the meetings has not had the opportunity to come before you all and that in essence is why he's in front of you this evening is to effectively look to get concurrence from the board to move forward with the extension of the contract. Furthermore, the the the uh terminology as it relates to accused. Um this particular report was intended to address the former mayor's report and the six persons that were um targets or persons of interest as it relates to the report. So for the for the for the purposes of this report, nobody is referenced as the accused. Uh it's the individuals that were adversely impacted as a result of the information that was contained in the report. The city council did authorize at a special meeting, I believe, um authorization for this particular um agreement with the Gaines Law Firm. There's nothing that requires you to adopt a resolution to effectively enter into any contract or agreements. Resolutions are merely the positions of the board and it just for recordkeeping purposes makes it easier for the purposes of following the agreements. no different than the item before you this evening concerning the city manager's contract. There's not a resolution on the agenda associated with, but it could possibly situation where the board considers action. So, a resolution is not required for action for this board. So, the item that's before you this evening is to effectively allow for the Gaines Law Firm to complete the investigation as soon as one of the individuals is um clear to return to work medically. Um also I do want to make it abundantly clear both in the charter and in the

code the city manager does have investigatory authorities that are provided for and all the employees fall under the purview and the responsibility of the city manager. So there is authority that's provided for. In fact, it is greater authority that is provided for than when the mayor previously, not this mayor, the previous mayor uh proceeded forward with a inquiry, than it was a climate survey, than it was an investigation. And so I have more authority and more rights pursuant to the charter and the code than the mayor has to participate in investigations, especially as a results to the workforce. And there is a specific provision in the charter that prohibits the interference in the day-to-day operations of the city. And so we want to make sure we we we want to make sure that this investigation is complete, that all the information that's contained in the report is provided to you all in a way that you can make a decision based on the information that was omitted from the previous report. There is tens of thousands of documents that have been reviewed. And so it can take two minutes to create an infraction, but it can take two years to adjudicate something. So it's not for a lack of effort and work that's been done from the Gaines Law Firm. Madam Chair, that concludes my comments.

Wait, I'm not done. Wait, he wanted to respond to to what I was saying. Huh? Right. Madame Chair. Sir. Okay. Madam Chair, am I recognized? Yes. Go ahead, sir. Um, the city manager just articulated the problem that I've had. Um, um, no audience, please.

And and and let me say this. Uh, you know, I respect everybody's opinion. People come to the meetings, they feel strongly about it. We have over 35,000 people in our community and all of them are not represented here. I I know some people think that they speak for everybody. They don't and I understand that. And I have people stopping me in the stores uh in the streets just uh giving me their opinion and they would never come here. But the people who come here think that their opinion supersedes everybody. You're not listening to the people. Yes, I am. I'm I'm getting comments that are different from yours and I'm listening to both. So, let's let's bring it down a couple of notches that y'all represent everybody in the city. You don't

um now wait now. Uh audience, please. I'm going to have to have you removed. We We've got to have order here if we're going to hear everyone. We're having problems with the microphones. We want to make sure that we hear everybody. Um yes.

Okay. And my last point, um Mr. Evans just said something that resonated with me and has been a thorn in my side since I got reelected. Mr. Evans just said [clears throat] that he has more authority essentially than the elected officials, administrative authority. He does not. He does not. But he really believes that. And that's the problem. Five people. No, five people up here is responsible for everything in this city to include his actions. When he's not treating employees correctly and they sue the city, it falls on our shoulders.

We are responsible for everything. So, I don't want people to think that somehow he has all authority and we can't say anything to him because it'll be interference and that's a whole bunch of BS. If if nobody is overseeing him, he has the door authority to do whatever he want. No, no, no, no. And that's what he thinks. Don't say anything or you're going to interfere. If we don't interfere, we get sued. Now, we got to deal with it. oversight. That's what we do. People don't understand that sometime. It's okay. Come on, madam chair.

But I do. I'm not allowing him to do whatever he want to do, when he want to do it, how he want to do it. The point of order. Let me stick to Okay, Madam Chair. Thank you. I'm done. I'm done for, Madam Chair. So, but I do have a motion after we get done with the discussion for a while. Um, Madame Chair, Miss Wyn, with the typically when we have reports in draft form, aren't they typically not allowed to be um produced for public record? Is this not the same situation? Your mic is not on. Well, is that better?

Typically with HR investigations, you are correct. The issue is that Mr. Gayton made a public records request as a member of the council and you all are the client. The client is always entitled to the documents. Madam Chair, we have never gotten them before and and no, that that that has always been the case. I've been up here 11 years and we have never been able to get a draft report of an investigation. And this is well before Mr. Evans was here. This has been when every city manager has been here. If it is undraft, we have not gotten that.

In fact, um the the draft there wasn't even the draft. That first report, we didn't even know it was even coming out until it was in people's mailboxes. So, there was no draft. There was no anything with that. We never saw anything. We had no clue what was happening

until that report was published and then we figured out that this was about employees and some of their issues. We had no idea that that was happening. So there was no concessions for this board at the time to say, "Hey, we're going to do this report and it's going to include employees what they have." None of that was told to us. It was just a report that was issued on a Saturday morning. So that's what happened on that tip. So I just really want to be clear about the fact that we are maybe two three weeks out from getting a final report from this law firm and that we can we can shut this down and move forward. Um go ahead. Um Miss Paneer, a couple questions. So what is going to be the cost of extending this? Because Yeah, let me ask that. I [clears throat] can't give you an exact number, Councilwoman.

Okay, that's enough. So, there will be a cost. So, that's my that's my problem. Shame on us because I wasn't here in 2024, but shame on us for two years later still dealing with a situation that nothing um that we don't have anything. What was done um what was was um Madam Chair? Yes, go ahead. What was done with I mean what happened to the employees that were in the original report? Was there anything punitive? Anything that was done to those employees or with that information? Madam Chair, go ahead. If I may.

Uh the 33 individuals that participated, no, there was no punitive action as a result of their participating. Chair follow up follow

but but Madam Chair as I if I if if you would like for me to to you know embellish on that as a result of the information that has been collected [clears throat] and and I and again attorney Gaines is is leading the investigation. I don't want to you know communicate too much as it relates to the investigation. There are situations where some of the testimony is inconsistent with facts and data that will be provided to rebut those. And so it's not going to be a situation where it's, you know, hearsay back and forth. There's actual documentation and data and different files that were looked at as a result of this particular investigatory report. There was no disciplinary action, but there may be subsequent actions that the organization has to take and and I do want to

Can you explain that? What do you mean? Right. So, there's some things that when we bring this report from before you all, we're going to have to get direction from you all on certain items. Yes. Go. Yes. Go ahead.

My next question. What when we get this information, what are we going to do from the six of you? What will there be punitive action against you or what are we going to get with this information once this report comes out? Yes. Go ahead.

Um Oh, my mic, madam chair, if I may. Uh yes. as as a result of the information that's provided, we're going to ask for direction on from the board. How how do you wish to proceed on certain items that are contained in that report? Um so that this report that is currently um uh going on at this particular moment.

Madam Chair, so I guess my issue is that we we got information on these 33 employees. Now I wish you had used your investigative you know your I mean your the fact that you have that power. I wish you had had used a little bit more to kind of delve into what the 33 original complaints were just like we're doing for the six and and my question and and I still have a concern because why is it one year to interview six people to get information from six people when we got information from 33 what is the hold up and let me and I heard you say that we you know we he wasn't able to present a few times this thing was on the agenda them many times and at the right before the meeting it got taken off because there was no report or there's no this. So it wasn't just that we weren't giving him time. It was it was being removed from the agenda. I and I don't know I'm not the chair so I don't knew it or the city man I'm not the city manager so I don't know who was taken off but every seems like every other month it was on the agenda then take snatched off because we didn't have information. So why we are a year and a month into this and we are just trying to interview somebody who is now on FMLA. When did she leave on FMLA?

Madam Chair, if I may. Um I I don't think we should speak on so many. No problem. But I do want to address some of the comments that were made by the city council person. Um so when when this particular investigation started and Miss W correct me if I'm wrong it went under the opice of the city manager signing authority and I provided for Yes Miss win I believe the original contract was under the $25,000 and then we had subsequent actions that came before mean when you say the original you mean mayor builders

yes yes correct so I assisted in facilitating that because it was something that the mayor was moving forward with. In addition to I asked the mayor prior to the report, can you please provide the names of the individuals that have complained? He refused to provide me with the names. So, I could not have conversations with persons I did not know. Additionally, as a result of the investigation, I'm the one that sent out the letter to provide for the protections that were talked about in the original report to give F persons to come forward with regards to the investig. So, the intent was to do everything to facilitate that particular process. At no time until the report was furnished or published did we know who or what or that there was a target that was identified as a result of that because certainly if there was situations throughout the process we would have intervened and we would have said okay we're going to assist and then the last thing I leave the board with could you imagine that if I would have said to the former mayor please make all your documents and your information available for public consumption before the conclusion inclusion of the investigation. What would have happened as a result of that? That would erode the confidence and the ability for the investigation to move forward. All what is being requested is the same courtesies that were afforded to allow for the investigation to be completed without the interference or involvement of outside parties. That's it.

But, Madam Chair, but you're it's it's at an at a cost. And again, why wasn't this done in the time allotted? We gave a certain period of time and then we gave an extension and now we're given another extension for us to have still absolutely nothing to even know what he's coming up with. And I get it and I want everybody to have chance which is why when the resident says, "Well, it was bogus." Okay. where we gave we gave money an approved money for them to do their own get their own attorney and uh you know and and do this do their own report and things of that nature. So we're supporting both sides. Nobody's picking and choosing. Everybody's getting a fair shot. But again, we're a year and a quarter in and my understanding is interviews just started taking place with people. Um so there was nothing to report that that that's not I don't know. Somebody needs to be somebody should have hired a different attorney or something. I don't know. Hello. Hello,

Madam Chair. Okay. Uh, attorney Win or maybe the city manager can answer this. How much money was spent on the original investigation by the mayor? Madam Chair, uh, $65,000. And can you tell me how long that investigation took?

Madam Chair, if I may. Uh, the investigation I believe started on December of 23 and um was published on July of 24. And then November of that same year was when persons were afforded the opportunity to come forward uh associated with with that. Uh so if you take from the inception all the way it's it's roughly about a year from when the the report to when individuals were afforded I believe in November the opportunity to come forward and provide their testimony after the report had been published.

Yes. Go ahead. So that basically

hitting anything. Oh, basically it took the same amount of time. Actually, it's taking longer right now for the response that we approved. Now, I was the vote I believe uh that approved this uh 60,000. We were supposed to get reports. We were supposed to get this done in a timely fashion. That is clearly not what happened here. Uh this could go on forever. We we have no time periods, no no uh no nothing really. We we were supposed to get a report a while ago. We never got the report. Uh and as my colleague said, uh this has been on the agenda numerous times for extensions or reports and always gets taken off. Uh now here we are today asking for another extension and more money. Uh I just find that hard to accept right at this point since [clears throat] we haven't received anything. M can might as well take this. When we say we did not get a report, are we just saying like a status check? Because I mean we you're not saying that we were supposed to be being told what was going on within the report.

No very periodically. Madam Chair, I believe the agreement when we had this discussion, we were supposed to get a report by a certain time period, an update on what was going on, an actual report and we never received it.

Well, I I would imagine because all of the like we're still waiting on the one interview, we can't get the report until it's finalized. And the thing is with the other report, as Councilwoman Laneir, Chair Lenir just stated, we weren't aware of anything about the first report at all. So, I mean, I think we doing a little bit better than we did before because we got nothing for that and it just popped up that Saturday morning. So again, when we have typically, as as attorney W just stated, when there's an investigation going on, we have never been privy to anything in the investigation until it has been finalized. And I've been here for a lot of investigations since 2015. And even when Mr. Evans was here wasn't here when I was when I had the other city managers. Nothing was ever provided before it was finished. So I I don't know how all of a sudden now we're being told that we can get bits and pieces of it. It just doesn't even make sense because if you provide part of that investigation to people, you know, everything we get it is going to be in the community. And it it just that that doesn't even make sense when you're doing an investigation for people to be able to interfere with it because I mean for lack of a better word and I think that's the perfect word is interference and that is what would happen if we provided part of the investigation. How do you that doesn't even make sense.

It doesn't make sense at all. Madam Chair I hear all of that and I didn't ask for a report. I will ask for it to be finished in a timely fan manner. So since we since we're here, when were the first interviews held? Because again, I'm not hearing about the information coming in bits and pieces, why has it taken this long? And can you tell me when you did the first interview?

Madam Chair, may I address that, please? Okay. Yes. Thank you. Uh, Councilwoman Paneer, I unfortunately I can't tell you when I did my work that would breach confidentiality. But what I can tell you is this. This is what I can tell you. I met with everyone at the origination of this contract and we have worked this investigation to the standards of any other investigatory authority. Same standards apply. Confidentiality was in the contract for a reason to protect not just the council but to protect the agrieved individuals. So if I start disclosing any piece of that, it infringes the in fact integrity that the council wanted to protect. I'll secondly note it's only one person with one independent issue that has to be protected. If the council chooses to go past that, the council can put the city itself at risk for liability. So that determination was made to not just protect the six individuals that are within the contract, but that was also made to protect the city from liability exposures. We have a situation where we're looking now um attorney gains for a completion date. Give us a timeline here. We need to be able to move on. This has taken us an hour to discuss. Uh it is getting us nowhere in a sense that we need to know when is this completion going to happen.

Yes, madam chair. Yes. Go ahead.

Uh the the the report and its completion can be comprised within 48 hours of us finalizing the last investigatory interview. Now it will appear just from that statement that we could present it in peace meal but that would disenfranchise everyone. So it needs to be comprehensive presented all at one time. But the vast vast vast majority of the work has been done. It's one outlying individual. We have to respect that individual's rights the same way we respect everyone else's rights. So that's that's all it is. Uh, Madam Chair, um, you know, this is really crazy. Uh, if there's one person out on FMLA, one would think we'll separate that person. This council wants some type of evidence that you've been doing what we've been paying you to do. set that person to the side and give us the others. Well, let me ask attorney Win. Is is that a legitimate move? Is that a

Madam Chair? That's difficult for me to state because I don't know anything about the investigation and attorney gains has stated that he believes I mean he knows the information and if he's saying that it affects the others and that it could compromise the investigation then I have to take him at his word. Okay. And and madam chair one one one last um issue I want to point out. Why hasn't our attorney been involved and it's only been Mr. Evans? Sure.

I can I address that please madam chair. Thank you. Um I wanted to address this council guy. I'll refer you to paragraph 20 of the contract of the professional services agreement. Uh it defines my role my scope here and and I'll read it. It says the consultant shall comply to your point Councilman Gayton with the Florida Public Records Act chapter 119 Florida statute. You're not doing that now but go ahead. Yes. Go ahead.

Your mic is not on.

I'm sorry. Can you hear me? Okay. This is the contract stating that the party specifically agreed to subsection A keep and maintain public records required by the consultant to perform the service. That's my responsibility. Subsection two, upon the request from the city of Rivier Beach custodian of public records or designate, I am to provide the city of Rivier Beach with a copy of the requested records or allow the records to be inspected or copied within a reasonable time. Uh the issue here, Councilman G, with all due respect, is my understanding is the city of Rivier Beach custodian of public records uh would be the clerk or and I don't believe you've been designated if these were public records. It's my contention simply that these are not public records until the investigation is complete. So there's two phases. There's two phases. The confidentiality until completion at that time it becomes public record. we have no issue turning them over. Madame city attorney was not involved and that was specifically designed contractually from my relationship to be through the city attorney, excuse me, the city manager's office, not the city attorney. And I'll also point out that it's not I don't have an attorney client privilege with the city itself. I have a attorney wait let me let me finish. It's in the contract. I'm a consultant for the city. I don't have an attorney client privilege with the city. And that was done with that was done with the consent of the city and the city attorney to protect the individual. So it's not an evasive tactic. This was designed from the beginning to protect the integrity of it.

Okay. Let me clarify that madam chair. So So you're telling me that you don't have a contract with the city. This I have with the city. The city is not I don't have an attorney client privilege with the city. So to the point that you were making earlier about you're the client, I should turn over the information to you. What I'm saying is there's a technical difference here where in fact it's through the city manager's office. I am just a consultant for the city. I am not an hired attorney with attorney client privilege to the city. And I'll allow madam city attorney to address the differences.

Please explain that one to me. Hello. Okay. When the motion was made um to retain the services of the gains firm, the motion was that the contract be administered through the city manager's office. That effectively, to answer your question, Mr. Gayton omitted me from the process and so Mr. Evans is the person that was designated in the motion to work with or his office through the city manager's office to work with Mr. Gains and that is what has been happening. I did want to um while I have the microphone state one thing and that is that I know I think one of you I can't remember who asked Mr. gains how much the additional work that he has to do or to to finalize this was going to cost Miss Davis Paneer. There is and you may need a motion from the council on this about $5,000 and the manager can correct me left on that contract and I don't know if that amount is deficient or what the pleasure of the board is or what the recommendation of the city manager is. Madam

Chair, if I may, I can turn that that part over to Attorney Gates. Madam Chair. Yes. We can complete the investigation within the budget that's already been allotted. Okay. Well, let's go.

With these things tonight. Um, thank you, Attorney Gains. What we can do is at our first meeting in May, could you please come back with an update for this board? Wait, wait. What tell what is it going to entail? Is it going to be the same back and forth or is he going to have a report? What what what it it is not a it is a it is an update that where we are with this report. We don't have to go back and forth. I think we've done that enough tonight.

So, [snorts] yes, ma'am. Attorney Gains is able to do the completion of the report and stay within the budget. Can we put that in writing and then he he can have the time he needs to gain this contract. expire.

Madam Chair, okay. Uh, Attorney Gains, can you tell me, do you have a date set to meet with this witness that you're waiting for? We can't hear you, right? We can't hear you.

Please come up. Got to put him in for this.

Okay y'all, let's ready. Yeah. I think that we have uh gotten most of the microphones working. Hopefully we can hear each other. Um, where were we? This is 427 2026. The time is 8:25. We are resuming our special city council meeting. We were having you to answer questions, Mr. I'm sorry, Attorney Dan. And what was it in reference to?

U, the last I was speaking on, Madame Chair, is in reference to the terms of the contract. I was referencing paragraph 20. um if it would appease the council, I would like to read in paragraph seven as well. I think it could add some additional clarity uh to some of the uh issues that the council persons have addressed. I I think that where we are here now is that we just need a timeline. Um I think everybody is on the same page about where we are and and you said that you can stay within the budget that we can have a timeline so that you can come back to us and let us know where we are. Madam Chair, yes. Go ahead, sir.

And that was a followup to that. It was one question in reference to the timeline. Uh there is an employee that we're waiting on, but in the event the employee does not return or does not return from FMLA or whatever the status is and we can never actually get to that point. What does that timeline look like and what does the report look like if we can't actually interview the employee,

right? Well, and and in that case, that would be left to the council's decision because the contract calls for all six individuals to be represented. Um, I'll emphasize the importance of due process and the right to be heard, which is really the foundation of what all of this is about. And so to minimize or to step around even one person's right to be heard and her access to due process uh would infringe upon the entire integrity of the report and the investigation itself. So that's why we're asking for pause. If it is that the council wants to find another direction, that is well within the purview, but I wouldn't recommend it myself. And thank you follow Madam Chair. Yes, go ahead.

The reason we're here tonight is because we've been waiting on this report for a while now and due process is necessary. So based upon us not having a clear timeline, I think we need to move on from this discussion as of tonight uh to complete the report you can do it within budget attorney gains and once the employee does give us clearance uh to finish the interview, we'll do that. But this is a discussion item board. So I don't think we need any Wait, Madam Chair. I'm sorry. I'm let the mayor finish.

Thank you. We don't need any clear we don't need any any direction tonight. Um we just need to proceed with the the next steps. Um the second question is there formal process of the extension. We've addressed that this extension needs to actually be voted on from the board I believe. Um and just to be clear I know at uh Mr. Evans did direct or say that we could extend the process but attorney win are are we do we have to take a motion to extend the process and extend attorney gains contract? I would recommend that.

Okay. So, we only have one additional item. So, board, I think we we've we've kind of talked in length about this. We should move forward with extending the contract, complete the report, and get the report finalized so we can put this behind us, and then we can take action once we have a complete report because we've been going back and forth with the details for about an hour and a half. Madam Chair, Madam Chair. Yes. Go ahead.

It is important that if he doesn't have a timeline, we give him a timeline. We cannot continue to wait until the time is right and we don't know when that person is coming back. We need to give him a timeline and and that timeline would be the end. Personally, I don't really want to extend the contract. That's my opinion.

Um I think that the [clears throat] um giving the individual I I don't know. I'm not sure when the individual who's in question is going to come back to the city. I think that 30 days is reasonable. I think that in 30 days, you have to let us know where we are. I mean, and if and I'll hold on, hold on. I think that what needs to happen is that um if it is not anything barring legal FMLA, whatever the case may be, if it's not anything that has to do with that, that we need to come back in 30 days. Um and I I don't want you to um not speak to the individual because that is within their right to be able to be heard. But I don't want to um make it where we're just waiting till infinity to be able to wrap this up. So I think that 30 days is reasonable for you to come back and let us know where we are and hopefully um that we will have a report to review at that time.

Madam Chair, yes. Go ahead, sir. We should be more specific. Not come back with an update. Come back with the report. I said report. No, you said with an update. Madam Chair, I said with an update and hopefully a report, but we can do that. We need to tell him come back with a report. Madam [clears throat] Chair, what I'm saying? We have Go ahead. Okay. Madam Chair, I make a motion that we extend Gain's contract for 30 days and that we be given a report in 30 days with or without all six uh of the people that he's uh representing. Second with with the right with no more money using the existing $5,000 balance that you have on the contract.

Second that, Madam Chair, before you take the vote, is that an extension of 30 days from the from the expiration of the contract or 30 days from today? 30 days from today. Thank you. And I think also too it needs to be said that um if there is something that is in the way of that uh 30 days meaning that the person whatever the legal is in regards to that that we know sooner rather than later where we are with that. M madam chair. Yes.

I I think he's got to give us a report in 30 days with or without the six uh people that he's representing. I I can't agree to that because if if say for instance the person who is is out and the person has not come back yet, we need to know that sooner rather than later because we cannot move forward with the report and exclude that person because we'll be sued because they are out on medical leave. So we need to be clear about the fact that we can do 30 days but if that does not seem doable because the individual has not come back to work then we need to know that sooner rather than later. Madam chair. Yes.

The same way we're doing an amendment to this uh report now. We can do that when and if the employee comes back. So at that time I think that we need to close this out within 30 days and if the employee chooses after 30 days we have to set a clear timeline and not just kind of leave gray area. So I think 30 days is sufficient. Madam chair. Yes. Very good. Are we in agreement? Yes. I'm sure I made a motion. Yes. There there was a second from um Commissioner Gayton. Madame Clerk. Council person Davis Paneer. Yes. Council person Ger. Yes. Chairperson Tim Ler Anderson. Yes. Council person Dr. Spiritis. Yes. Chairperson Lenir. Yes. That's a unanimous vote.

U. We're going to move into our public comment section now. Uh we

Okay. Wait, wait, wait, Madam Chair. One one thing, um, the original report that hasn't been investigated since July 24th, I mean 2024, we need to put that on agenda to not to have staff to investigate it. I'm be honest, I I don't trust that move. U, but we need to hire somebody who's not affiliated with the city. These people have been waiting for almost two years and it's it's high time that we show them some some level of respect that their concerns are also important. Not tonight, maybe next meeting, but yes, they they claims need to be investigated, which hasn't been done.

That that was they weren't investigated. They they were just told what happened, but nobody actually investigated for validity. Is it true what they saying? No. No. We didn't go that far. Did the Okay. Very good, sir. Um, we will move to public comment. Thank you.

Public comment shall begin at 7:30 p.m. unless there's no further business of the city council, which in that event, it shall begin sooner. In addition, if an item is being considered at 7:30, then comments from the public shall begin immediately after the item has been concluded. Please be reminded the city council board has adopted rules of decorum governing public conduct during official meetings which has been posted at the front desk. In an effort to preserve order, if any of the rules are not adhered to, the city council chairperson may have any disruptive speaker or attendee removed from the podium from the meeting and/or the building if necessary. Please govern yourselves accordingly. Madame clerk, how many public comment cards do we have? Madame Chair, we have 20 public comment 21 public comment cards. The acceptance of the cards is closed.

21 public comment cards. Could you please call the first three? Yes, ma'am. The first speaker is Jimmy Coffer, followed by Annette Dragon and John Miller.

Good evening, Jimmy Copa, River Beach. I think Jonathan Evans done an outstanding job with all he's been given to do it. So, at the last regular city council meeting, Mr. Gayton made a big point of I requested that you came up with a mechanism to fund the water bills for the people in River Beach because our water bills are going to go up that don't have that money and you didn't do that. Well, Mr. Giden knows just like I know for the last 10 years there is a process already set up in this city for people that can't pay their water bills. I have problem with utility bills. The problem is it's not been funded. The point of that was all in to try to embarrass Jonathan Evans that he's not doing a good job. And the fact is he is doing a good job. So what was the real reason of why Mr. Giden brought that up? Well, the real reason is he wants to go back to the days of making the city of Riviera Beach nothing more than a welfare pot for the family and friends of people that are elected officials. It's simple as that. It's family. You would not believe as that is Mr. Evans and several heads of the HR have gone through and have and have turned this into a pretty good workforce of what our city is doing and he's had a heck of a time trying to get rid of the Deadwood. So why don't I've got a perfect solution for you. Each individual council member just give me five names. We'll just turn those names into Mr. Evans. We'll pay them each $100,000 a year. They but the stipulation they never come to work. That's a mere $2.5 million. $2 and half million dollars of corruption in River Beach is nothing. I don't even think WPTV would come over and watch it for $2.5 million. So let's just get to the the point of this is don't go back to the old days where all we have is more less than quality workers, friends and

family of elected officials working for our city. The next public speaker is Annette Dragon, followed by John Miller and Captain Robert Silva. Hello again. Well, it's noticeable that Mr. Gon is not sitting in the room again. Ah, he's back. Um, please audience as are the mayor.

It's very difficult. Okay, I got a shopping list here, but the first thing I would like to say is that I think that anybody who is involved in property development should recuse themselves from voting on any development in Riviera Beach. I believe it's a conflict of interest and I think that it's wrong. Secondly, is the FBI still investigating? I haven't heard anything more about that for a couple of months now. Be nice to know what's going on. Then I'd like to also address the city cler. About a month ago, I put in two requests for job specs and annual evaluations of an assortment of city employees. As yet, I haven't seen anything and I would like to know what takes so long to attach a few PDFs to an email. But coming back to developers recusing themselves, to me, I wouldn't sit on a council board if I had the remotest possibility of making a profit from a vote. How many of you are involved in property development? How many of you want to see the city ruined as a result of highrises all over Broadway, all over Singer Island, and elsewhere? And of course, I don't see any development going on further west. Not that I'm saying that it should, but there's dozens of spaces that the city owns that could be developed. Why don't we see some of those being developed?

Thank you.

The next speaker is John Miller, followed by Captain Robert Silva and Erica Davis. John Miller, River Beach. First, I want to just you're right about the money. In other words, it's you have to put your own money up and all that. But I I don't know that much about the law, but I do I do do know the phrase public defender. So why can't you just get public defenders and let them in other words work for you if you don't if you listen I'm going to holler in here public defender that's first all right you can you can get public defenders and I'd have to ask the chief if you can or you can't but I think that you can so go try to go that route period the next the ne the next thing is same thing is conflict of interest is anybody going to run with this or I worked construction all my life and I worked all my way up to become project manager. Last job, last job for three years, $200 million project. No way in the world can you be hooked in with the contractor anyway, developer, whatever, and me be involved in giving the job out because it's a conflict of interest. And what happens is that you might not even know it. But if you're friends with somebody because you've been a developer and you're if you're going to you can be a developer all you want. Just recuse yourself from the $1.5 million of projects that have gone on in this city. Period. Last thing, Jonathan, I don't even know why we're here over this. This is ridiculous. But this happened seven years ago. And I can tell you what happened. You fired them. Three people fired them. Why? because they didn't like what he did. He couldn't. He wouldn't approve what they wanted all the time. Well, is that too bad? I had 200 men on a job. I had to fire guys that didn't do their job. He should be

firing more people and then he'd have more control. Period. It's re It's ridiculous. You need He's a guy that's watching this story. You may not think so, but look around. He's done a good job. He's moved this city forward. You know, some some of some three of any of these guys obviously you voted to have this meeting tonight and you threw that on the agenda. I can tell you this much. If you fire him tonight, I can guarantee at least my district I'll work everything I can to remove our representative from there, which would be Mr. Spiritus. He's gone. And I'll be I did it on a broken hip. I'll be out there hobbling around on a cane, but I'll get everybody to get him out of there because we like Mr. Evans as the manager. Thank you.

The next speaker is Captain Robert Silva, followed by Erica Davis and Rochelle Hughes.

Good evening, residents council. Mr. Mayor, um my name's uh Captain Robert Silva. I am a a citizen here and I've been here for 40 years. What I've been seeing beneath the surface tonight is unbelievable. Let me tell you about what I see above the surface. I was uh attending the four months once a week I was attending the leadership academy and it was an enlightening thing where we went and visited many many divisions of this city police department Mr. Coleman, Chief Coleman, unbelievable. Thank you for everything you do in your staff. They are unbelievable. I couldn't believe how much passion they gave us and what they explained. The fire department, the same way, the water department, and I'll tell you what, I'm just in love with the library, what Mr. Brody's done in all these years. He deserves a lot of credit, and we need to get our youth involved a lot more. But in the one thing I'm telling you, I never saw a representative show up to any of these meetings. [snorts] You are leadership here. You should be leading us. You should be coming in. Mr. Jonathan here, Evans, was there almost every night with his passion, his staff, giving it all to us and explaining it. I think you should take a little leadership and see what he does. I am a very good observer of what happens. I've run ships all my life for 40 years and I'm seeing how he handles this ship. Drive it in the right direction. Keep it afloat. Keep it above also and take the beauty that's underneath it. And I thank you for that.

The next speaker is Erica Davis followed by Rochelle Hughes and Lori Brown.

Erica Davis Rivier Beach. First of all, we've had this before with district one trying to tell the attorney what to do, trying to tell the city manager what to do. He wants to be the city manager, the attorney, and everything. You need to stay in your place cuz first of all, you're in my district and you don't represent me. You don't represent anybody. We don't even see you. You don't even have a town hall meeting. You don't even have any any activities or events going on and you talking about what somebody's doing. You're a derelic of your job and your duties. And I'm getting sick and tired of you coming up here trying to paint this man as if he's a monster. The man has degrees up and down of in this field and he knows what he's doing. But you try to do anything you can to make this man look like a meanspirited idiot. He knows his job. You sit up here and you tell all the lies that you can tell in an investigation. You don't bring it before public public it after the investigation. It's a public record. Now, if we ask the FBI what they're doing in your investigation, you would be highly upset. You are one ignorant man. And I cannot wait. I hate that I trusted you. And the reason why we didn't get anything done when you were in office is because of the same reason what you're doing right now. You don't know your job. You think you're smarter than everybody else, but you're not. And no, I don't represent everybody, but I represent the majority. And I think our record speaks for itself. So, while you're being so vicious and

trying to aim to fire Mr. Evans, trust me, you're getting your vocal pink slips right now. You fire Mr. Evans, you're out of here shortly after. [screaming]

The next speaker is Rochelle Hughes, followed by Lloyd Brown and Fosman. Hello, Michelle Hughes. Hello everybody. So for this public comment, I want to talk about the marina element number seven. I know it hasn't been brought before you in regards to the zoning request change, the exception. I really hope we do not give them the exception and you have and you allow two 20story towers to be built right out here. I would love to see it kept at what it's zoned for and um also have the architecture be more Florida. I I'm seeing way too many New York City Chicago buildings going up. What happened to our Florida architecture? Let's let's keep some of Florida alive. We we don't we're not getting that. I'm sure the building going up now is not going to look anything like Florida. So, that's my one thing on that. The other thing I want to also talk about is we are now becoming with a lot of this stuff going on again a city in turmoil and a city of corruption. as we see news reports and people talking and this and that and there's, you know, backdoor deals or whatever. I don't want to see that again. We already lived through that. We need to we need to be a united city and come together. And it starts with all of you sitting up there and the leadership to bring our city together. Don't tear it apart. And that's what's

going on. You guys are tearing us apart and people are picking sides. LA, we don't need that. You know, let the stay on track to how we, you know, we were on track for a little bit, people. We really were. And all of a sudden, it's a chaos. Um, so yeah, I don't think we like that, you know, being called the city of turmoil or the city of corruption. And I do agree if you're in development or even in real estate, you shouldn't be able to vote on things that have to do with development because if you do and then you're off the deis and then all of a sudden you're you're making money off the off the developments that you approved. That's not fair. That's not fair at all. So anyways, those are just my comments for right now. Thanks. The next speaker is Lori Brown, followed by Fain Loseman and William Wy.

Oh, you say wait a second. All right. Did you say that or my hearing getting bad? You can go.

Oh, I can go. Okay. You know what I want to talk about? Let me tell you something. I I called up these people and I asked them about the sunshine law. So, the man said, "I tell you what, he gave me a place where I can go to and I can find out." And you know, one thing it says these people up here, you cannot get up. If y'all going to vote on something later, you cannot get up out of your seat and walk down to another person, not even you, mayor, to another person and discuss anything. You know why? Why you can't do this? Because prohibition of private communication, you can't do that. The law applies to any exchange of views written or verbally electronic between officials who belong to the same board. Even is it just two members like two of y'all can't just go off and start talking about it. And then preventing backroom deals. The purpose is for that is the public officials from making decisions, you know, shaping the opinions outside the public eye. And that's what y'all do. Every time we get in and it's a public comment, two people will leave. They only come back. See, they didn't know that I was going to be so far down where I at. So, I'm just going to throw this way and tell you, Lawson, what you was telling me about the job place over there. I went to the man before you started over there. And I'm not even the mayor. I asked him, "Have the mayor ever come over to this workforce?" And you lied the other week. Come, oh, I've been over there. I got a man out here. Well, where are the people you got? Bring them in. The workforce people you said that you went over there and talked to and don't talk when I leave. Let the other person talk. It's not your You can't come back and talk to me. I can talk to you as much as I want to. And then surely when you see them people walking back and forth and talking to each other, you should say something. You know that's against the

Sunshine Law, but they are your partners, so you ain't going to say nothing. And let me tell you what, Miami Heat didn't win. You know why? because the coaches couldn't get together. The team couldn't get together. Same way with River Beach. Y'all can't get together. So, we're not going to win. And I mean, whatever the FBI doing, hey, look, FBI out there, all you got to do is come in here and go through these meetings where they voted and you'll see where these individuals get up and walk back and forth. And I tell you like this, y'all did what y'all did. Y'all did wrong. You probably got fat pockets. The next speaker is Fain Loman followed by William Wy and Cindy Marge.

Fane loman Singer Island. I don't agree with Guidan probably on anything, but I do agree with them that there's a problem with the city manager. And I'm going to give you another perspective that the five of you aren't aware of. The city manager and the city attorney are usurping the authority of this board. You are the five final policy makers. That's the technical term who govern the city. Evans is not a policy maker and Don is not a policy maker. But yet they have engaged in policy decisions involving me and other residents in Singer Island where they've usurped they've taken away your authority by making decisions that impact this city. One decision they've made is they decided to change the city boundaries in Singer Island. They just said, "We we don't like the boundaries because we're trying to shrink the property that of undeveloped land on the northwest side of Singer Island." So they went and hired a surveyor without permission from the board, paid GCY, George Chappie Young $75,000 to come back and say, you know, when they surveyed the city in 1915, they did it wrong. They they put a wrong marker in there. Even though the state said it's the correct marker, the county does, and even the city did back in 1969, they decided that we're going to change it because Botel has been screwing with me ever since she took office when I had Governor DeSantis reprimand and sanction her for misconduct. These two here, right here, they constantly do something to screw with me and other and other residents on Singer Island. without the permission from the board, he reached out at Boutell's request to Colonel Kelly, who is the commander up in Jacksonville for the Army Corps of Engineers, encouraging him to take action against me over my floating home. The only reason they did that action, they couldn't do it the first time he was around because President Trump was in office. So, they waited for President Biden to be elected, then they took

action against me. Why didn't they do it when President Trump was around? President Trump told Joyce Coffin, WFTL 8:50 a.m. that he wanted to build floating homes with me on Singer Island because he had built everything else. So they waited until Trump was out of office and then he went and dealt with Kelly to target me on the rivers and harbors act. What they didn't tell them the colonel up there is that there is a harbor line for Singer Island. The bulkhead line that all the houses to the south are built. The rivers and harbors act does not apply to my property. That's a that's a battle that's going to be going on shortly. Why did they cover it up? These two have usurped your authority when it comes to me. And Evans has no integrity. Evan, when he was fired, he said, "Give me $190,000 and I won't come back to city." He came back to the city, which is okay, but he didn't get back the $190,000. Then during the pandemic, he paid himself $400,000 and said, "Oh, well, I didn't know I couldn't pay myself a contract." HE NEEDED TO COME TO YOU FIRST BEFORE he paid himself $400,000 and he needs to get back the $190,000 because he breached the agreement.

The next speaker is William Wy followed by Cindy March and Maline Irving. William Wy. Cindy March, Maline Irving, and Margaret Shepard. Good evening, council. I'm not going to elaborate on this too long, but if they had have been me, every police would have been putting handcuffs on me. Len, you got to do better with your decorum. You got to do better because it's not fair to all of us. We can agree and disagree, but let let me say this. I don't like a person that throw rocks and hide their hand cuz Shaman you and Lenil the one had the city to spend over a million dollars to keep from paying $60,000 for a lawsuit. So every time somebody want to speak about Evans or speaking against Evans, y'all want to shield this man? Y'all all need to ask yourself, what if it was me in a predicament of these 30S SOMETHING EMPLOYEES? I DON'T CARE IF YOU TAKE 10 of them out the equation. You still got the other 20s something. I'm not lying. You all need to finish this investigation. It's time for Evans to go. You all edited that 190,000. Y'all added to that contract. Y'all really miscomated that contract. He should have paid at least $190,000 back. More respect to you, Evans. I don't like the way they fired you the first time. And I can sit here and be a woman and tell you that because it's not what you do, it's how you do it. BUT YOU HAVE NOT been good to all of us. I have asked you over and over, go pull up public records. I asked Mr. Evans plenty times for a meeting plenty times. I can calm myself down. I can humble me, but can he humble him? You all taking power over the

people. And for you all to come up here and talk about who you all are gonna recall. Some of you all need to recall yourself. You're a crackhead. Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey. No, no, no. Ain't no hate cuz she started it. She started it, Miss Lenir. She started it. Okay, we don't have any comments from the audience, please. But thank you. And put my two seconds back on the clock like you do everybody else, please. Let's go.

And let me go ahead since I was so rudely interrupted. However this vote go, however this vote go tonight, whoever be the city manager, whether it be Evans or somebody else, we need somebody here going to work for the people and not worry about their power. Y'all talking about Glenn Spirits. GLENN SPIRIT, HE'S not up there for no money. One thing I can say, he came on the west side. When we got a problem, he comes ON THE WEST SIDE. YOU NEED TO PUT HER OUT of here, man. We cannot have any comments from the audience. Please, this is the last woman now. Give me five more seconds on the clock, please. Thank you. Before I was rudely interrupted again, let me finish. I'M NOT TRYING TO protect nobody up there to stay in their seat BECAUSE IF THAT SEAT for you, if that position for you, you're going to stay there. But it's a God. It's a God. You all have to treat people the way you want to be treated. Every time I go in a store, these employees not lying, but they scared to come because they scared they're going to BE RETALIATED AGAINST. SO WE ARE THEIR VOICES. So you all need to DO BETTER. YOU CANNOT TALK ABOUT RECALLING NOBODY AND SENDING somebody a letter out for recall and you don't even know why you recalling them. We we got enough to walk these walks and knock on these doors to make sure that these people stay IN THEIR POSITION. WHATEVER DECISION THEY decide to make. And Bruce, I didn't support you, but when you ask for documents, it's going to always be a problem. I told them THAT BEFORE YOU WON. THEY GOING TO MESS AROUND. AND WHEN BRUCE GO TO ASK him for document and he don't get them, it's going to BE A PROBLEM. YOU DID A GREAT JOB.

Thank you so much. The next speaker is Maline Irving. Hello. Um, ma'am.

The next speaker is Maline Irving, followed by Margaret Shepard and Michael Jordan. Mattaline Irving Mills, Rivier Beach resident. I want to just talk about some things. Uh it saddens me to know that you all create this tension because we fight for a qualified city manager. For many years in this city, there was no development. There was nothing. Nothing. But yet this man came with a purpose. And because you all are so selferving and so greedy and want your own and you forget that it's the taxpayers that pay your salary. It's the taxpayers that pay your health insurance. It's the taxpayers that cover you when you get in trouble. You disregard us. You want to hear nothing. Everybody has their opinion, but the town halls that you should be having with the people in your district, listening to them when you're considering these choices, making these decisions, that report was bogus. This man took two weeks SUSPENSION ON HALF TRUTH. don't have truth, but yet and still y'all railroading and trying to go down this bright line rail to do the things that you do. And we pay your salary. That's what we do. Every time I pay my taxes, you get paid. But when do you come and talk to us?

When do you come and say, "This is what we found. This is not your board. This the people's board. I hate to bring up old stuff. Please forgive me, Miss Paneer and Dr. Spiritis, but when you walk into a seat, it makes me feel like you don't appreciate the resident. I'm speaking for me. I'm not speaking for nobody else. So don't come up here and say she talking for me. I'm talking for Matteline Irving Mills. For every tax dollar that I spend, it funds y'all's salary. I got a voice and you are not listening. We're here on a special meeting to talk about THIS MAN WHO'S DOING A PHENOMENAL JOB. But do you come to the community? Do you talk to us? Do you tell us what you see that he's doing wrong? I guarantee you not. I guarantee you not. But yet we pay your salary. We pay your salary. Are you worth the money that you receive from us? The next speaker is Margaret Shepard followed by Michael Jordan and Dario Del Castillo. Hi,

Margaret Shepard, Rivier Beach. I'm going to speak on another topic. Um, Mr. Evans, I was over at Lindsay D Wells, and as I was going out to do, I spoke at at the CRA meeting. They touched me, I guess, because District One, I think that was you, Mr. Giden, and Mrs. Spiritis. I guess because he's there a lot. uh the casino. Uh they're very hurt because uh ever since we've been at Lindsay Davis, we always went to the casinos. That is just something that we do. And they were hurt because it's cancelled. I had the I had the um calendar in my purse to show you. That's just something that we do. And they were very hurt that it was cancelled. Uh, I think when said they said they had to pay $30 for the bus and the seniors were very upset that they had to pay this $30 to get on the bus and they, you know, they gamble a little bit. So, they were asking that, you know, you all kind of look into that. That's something that they just do. I want to say I was at the CRA meeting and uh, the only thing I said if you all look at the recap, I was talking about the Kasha Wales. I don't really know her. And I called the mayor and uh the next day, Thursday, I was sitting at home with my 13-month grandbaby. The phone rang and Accasha Wales called my house. That lady cursed me out. She said, "I'm coming over to beat your MF with your old self." I said, "167 East 23rd. First of all, I'mma call the police." And I got up and I got as I heard my daddy I got my piece. I was ready for her black ass. Hey,

I say I'm OG. I'm from Detroit, Michigan. Now I don't bother anybody. And I want to say to the River Edge police, I don't know where that witch live at. I don't know her. She's a young girl. I have kids her age. And I want to say to you, let me be clear on one thing. I will not. Now that witch over at the Port of Palm Beach, the same thing where y'all heard me in full bloom. I wouldn't care if your mama come to my door. No one, if the sign right there in my yard, I am protected by the River Beach Police. And I will advise you, Mr. Mayor, I did see you talk to her a couple times. I don't know who holds her body, whether it's Schulers, Bell, and stuff, but let her know one thing. I got her. This is freedom of speech and I don't understand why you come to Rivier Beach and think you could threaten an old lady. I got her. That was very ignorant. Um the recall, I thought that was very ignorant. Every recall I've ever seen, something happened. They get to the window and give all these things and they look down at it and boom, something happened. Recall for what?

Thank you so much. Go to the polls. That's my suggestion. Thank you. The next speaker is Michael Jordan followed by Dario Del Castillo and Jason Dar.

First of all, I'mma always come with respect and I would like to set the pace first to maintain my composure and to respect the council and everybody else in their respectable places. First of all, I would like to give a open thank you to Miss Pierre. Thank you for the letter of recommendation that you wrote. Uh me and the organization, we appreciate that. Even though it was last minute, you find a way to do it. So that says a lot about you and representing the city that you're for the people. Second of all, I will also cuz I have my own mind to uh thank Mr. Gayton. Uh I like the way that you operate with following documentation and to actually say as well as I have said before, some may not like it, but you know me, I ain't worried about that. Okay, this different type of stuff that's going on where they're saying files have been scrubbed and all this different stuff. It spells corruption and it's bad for the reputation of the city. I'm not saying terminate nobody. I'm not saying keep nobody. We have to clean up the reputation. Okay. Second of all, the second thing is if I'm up there on the council and they have public comment, I don't care what it is that they say. I'm not going to go backwards and forth because whatever my decision is, it's going to remain. I don't care what they say. So, I'm not going to keep arguing back and forth with nobody. Okay. The third thing is when you have rules of the quorum, it needs to apply to everybody. Even me, if I get out of line, I don't have a problem with being corrected. I'm just saying this stuff is being showed live. Everybody is seeing it. It's not only making the residents look bad. It's making the city look bad. Okay? It's making all of us look bad. So this is what I'm saying. If we're going to deal, let us deal fairly. I don't care nothing if I'm your best friend. If I have violated, then you need to handle me according to what the violation is. You understand what I'm saying? So that's

all I'm saying. We have to help one another. We have to get the reputation together and we have to continue to move forward. And I would like to say respectfully, I said what I said and it ain't changing. The next speaker is Dario Del Castillo, followed by Jason Dar and Peter Maloney.

Good evening. My name is Dario Del Castillo. I'm a Singer Island resident. Uh I want to talk a little bit about u the Omrit and we kind of have an accountability gap here. private versus public. Uh the issue is the developers utilize private private uh statelicicensed inspectors, but there's been a a perceived failure by River Beach City inspectors to audit or follow up on those findings. Uh various things that were found. The argument is while the state allows for private providers, the city remains the ultimate the [clears throat] ultimate accepting authority uh just based on the tax revenue from Singer Island. The city assumes the obligation to ensure that in the structures within its jurisdiction are safe for occupancy. So some of the critical uh system deficiencies uh are fire and life fire and life safety within the building. Uh there's been reports of properly improperly installed or non-functioning sprinkler systems components frequent false alarms which uh that drain county and city resources that that respond to those things. So these known code violations are regarding the lay the layout of the freshwater systems and the sewage systems as well. Electrical inspectors uh have also been deficient in this. We've documented electrical code violations within two 20story towers. So this continues to happen and we have a certificate of occupants. Well, we do not have a certificate of occupancy for either tower. The buildings are occupied

without a final CO and there's clearly no timeline for one to be completed nor for construction to be completed on the building. So, uh we talk a little bit about a lack of checkpoints throughout this multi-year construction. and I believe it was 2018 was groundbreaking on it and this has consistently happened one after the other. So the failure to enforce is uh we don't want you to change the regulations to try and fit what the building is trying to do. Use use your use your enforcement abilities or use your proper city inspectors to come in, take a look and see what your city is is doing, how they're allowing it to happen. Uh, I had an interesting statistic that came up that Singer Island is 51% of the Rivier Beach tax base.

Thank you so much for your Thank you. Jason Dar, Peter Maloney, and Jason Weiser.

Hello, city council, city manager, mayor, everybody else. My name is Jason Der. I am the president of the Armad Ocean Resort and Residences Condominium Association. Except, ironically, we're not residences. I know many of you up here know this to be true. It is unfortunate that we too found out after closing on our purchases that it is just a hotel. The land use and zoning for this property is strictly a hotel. Was never approved for residences on the last resolution 14315 in the year of 2015. Prior resolutions it was. So unfortunately that is the case. When we came into the condominium association which the unit owners got control of that last February, we started to look for public records. That has been an issue that has lasted for 14 months. Unfortunately, as this was discussed earlier today in this meeting and talked about, typically an exemption would be stated and the reasons for not obtaining those public records. That really wasn't the case in our case. They just simply were not produced. We didn't understand why those exemptions. So, it took about nine months or so to continued discussions and eventually we had to sue the city to actually get that. It's called a writ of mandamus which is a 119 public records lawsuit that then brought about the ultimate points which is the fact that no valid exemption existed for the property. It would have seemed that the city was relying on a hotel exemption which would require at least 350 units. Well, there's 338 approximately. There is a discrepancy in about one of those

numbers. So eventually by way of a court order of an agreement which is a matter of public record and the county records that we were able to obtain those records. We just got those. All we have now are significantly more questions how this project was approved, how it happened. And we're in a situation as the condominium association where we're in a major legal problem where we can't properly govern ourselves. We can't reach a and and fulfill state obligations. The city, the county, and the state have all been seemingly pointing the finger at each other for the past I don't even know how many years. So, there's a lot of questions. We're just getting there. We are just getting those public records. Cost us tens of thousands in legal fees. And for some reason, it probably cost the city, I would guess, tens of thousands in legal fees to not give us the public records and your own legal defenses. And eventually, we got them. So, thank you.

The next speaker is Peter Maloney, followed by Jason Wiser and Julie Boutell. Peter Maloney. Jason Wiser.

Jason,

good evening and thank you for staying late. I would like to say I'm a resident of Riviera Beach, but I'm not because I signed a contract with Emirit in August of 2019, and I'm still not a resident. They built the pyramids in less time than it took to put up these condominiums that they have there. And unfortunately, I can't really call them condominiums because I'm going to eventually own a hotel room. We as the residents have been bamboozled. You have the city have been bamboozled. Dorothy Jackson, the county have been bamboozled. And so has the state. And all of this was at the behest of the developer who decided that he wanted more occupancy and more density and more setbacks which allowed him to build a bigger and more expensive project. and he is at the root of the evil of this problem. And I don't look with blame to anyone sitting here. I thank you for the efforts that have been made, but I echo Mr. Dar's statements. This has been an abomination. We have been designed to be a condo. We are paying [clears throat] condo taxes even though we own hotel rooms. The certificate of occupancy says hotel room on it. And unfortunately, you have inherited this problem. And I know the mayor has been trying to resolve this problem. Mr. Spiritis has been trying to resolve this problem and the day will come soon when you will be able to cast a vote and what that vote is going to be is going to be a special exception where we will be allowed to get what we bought, what we were promised, and what we were shown in writing was a condominium. And so we're going to be requesting that at some point in the future when the lawyers finally get everything together. And what we're going to ask is we shouldn't be responsible for paying that fee. I think it's a $50,000 per unit fee. The developer should be responsible for that because he's the one that created this problem. He is the one that continues to circulate this problem and he could change a $9 bill with threes. And unfortunately, you are now left cleaning

up the mess. And what we will request after that is that there's reparations. And those reparations are going to be he shouldn't be allowed to control the hotel and the restaurants and the parking and the every other aspect of this sales pitch that was made on us eight years ago that we were sold a bag of goods. We all want to be contributing members to this amazing city that is growing and with some of the issues we've heard today, we know that there's a collective group that wants to see the best for this city. And we work together on both sides of the bridge. And what we need more than anything is some understanding that we're all victims in this one. The real culprit has to be held responsible for what happened. I look forward to the day that I can call you neighbors when I actually live here hopefully in a couple months. I'm the last person who hasn't moved in there and that's a battle I'll fight on my own. But I thank you for your time on behalf of all of the members of Amirit. I thank you for your attention to this. I know there's bigger fish to fry. There's bigger issues you guys face. But for us, a house is a house. A home is where you live and we want to make this our homes. So, thank you.

The next speaker is Julie Bautell followed by Dolores Williams and Doretta Paul. Good evening. Julie Boutell, Singer [clears throat] Island, Rivier Beach neighbor to Amirit and extremely sympathetic to their cause. But I want to make something very, very clear. I was not on city council in 2015, nor was I in city council on 2017. And I hope that whoever might be telling you that I had something to do with this debacle, you reveal that they are liars. In fact, because the truth of the matter is that on October 12th, 2015, city council approved resolution 14315 and they approved that as a it was formally approved and the development rights, the density, the core entitlements were established. I again was not on city council on October 12th, 2015. On May 3rd, 2017, at that city council meeting, the developer returned with significant changes, including building dimensions, unit count, and mix the project configuration and design. The council held formal deliberations. I was not on city council that time either. March 7th, 2018, there was only a reference to Amir. It was mentioned in in terms of finances. September 16th, 2018. Again, references to Amlet Alet only about beach access. I was trying to allow people who lived on Singer Island to get access to the beach because the beach is for everybody. Okay, that was my extent the extent of my involvement with with Amarit. So, what you really have to understand is that those decisions were made be well before I was on city council. I never asked people to invest in Amirit. I have no in I have no involvement. myself with Amirit and please understand how sympathetic I am to your cause. One other thing before I

leave. I'm also sick and tired of having a certain person raise the issue of my quote censure by the governor. When I was first elected to city council, I had also begun a charity for children in Riviera Beach called the Friends of the Riviera Beach schools. I made the mistake of putting out a a Facebook post asking people to make contributions for children in Rivier Beach to the friends of the Rivier Beach schools. That certain person who brings it up every time he gets up to this podium says that I was censured by the governor because he pushed that and made sure the governor censured me because I was trying to get money for the children in Riviera Beach. Well, God help me for that. That's all I have to say. The next speaker is Dolores Williams, followed by Doretta Pulk and JB Dixon. Good evening everybody, especially the citizens of Rivera Beach. You know, I want to know something. Uh, somebody just spoke to me and say that y'all did a recall. What was that recall on? Somebody say it was on the Davis and Mr. Spear. What y'all recalling them people for? All the recalls we have done got over a thousand. Got over 4,000. Y'all didn't do nothing about it. I don't think they do. I think she doing an excellent job. You should ask question. Mr. Spear, keep speaking up. What did I tell you when you first got elected? I heard some of them say, "Don't worry about it." Miss

Bail, Miss B, you know, I've come to you talk about nice stuff. Don't worry about it. In three years, we going to get you back in there. We going to get up. Mr. Spirit, don't tell me. Let's take a lie and see who said it. And I and see who said it. You shouldn't be being like that. Mr. Spear does a lot of thing. He come over on the west side and we ask him to do anything. He try to help everybody both side. I'mma say something. Don't think I'm trying to degrade you or anything. But when Mr. Gayton uh David have to run, but you had Lenir and all them y'all went over to sing Olive. You see that little thing they got in there? They had thing supposed to talk from that table up into that wall. Support guy. You know what I'm calling cuz he's speaking up. Y'all are chamille lizards. You know what a chamele is? Whatever they talk about want to be on, that's what they be on. If they say do this and say that, you become a lizard cuz I'm going to support you on that. Not me, them. So y'all need to stop that mess what y'all doing up here. If he brought it up cuz I was shocked the night when he said it. I never called him asked nothing else about it. But I think y'all need to stop that. And if you talking about moving those two people, I don't know what's wrong with y'all. Something wrong with y'all. You need to stop. And then somebody say don't go back. What you going back for? Take back those stuff. You don't look at your history. You can't go nowhere with your future. So we need to stop and did let me tell you another thing. When some of us get up here and we say something, but you got a special group by them up there. They carry on, talk out, ready to fight, ready up here cussing everything. You need to stop that. You see what I'm

talking about? You hear him talking? I'm talking too. So, but Miss Lenir, I don't have anything against you. I came for you. I've been the Anderson. I had talked to Mr. Gayton. I talked to even the mayor. I went and talked to them about some things. But I want y'all to know I don't know what y'all trying to recall them for. They haven't even had a chance to talk and be a Anderson. You've been at 12 years. The near nine may so much.

The next speaker is Doretta Paul followed by JB Dixon. Good evening. My name is Doretta Park and I just want to um talk about the uh if it's decided to try to um dismiss Mr. Evans and I hope it wouldn't be voted to do that. he has done an absolutely wonderful phenomenal job here at the city. Now, Mr. Gayton, when uh after a council meeting and you weren't on the dasis yet and we you wanted to talk to me and we talked and you said that you're here to help Mr. Evans move the city along and get the water plant. You said that and you the chaos is over when you sit in that seat. That's what you said, Mr. Gayton. You haven't been on this dasis not I don't even think a year, a total year. And you're the one seemingly I could be wrong, but you're the one seemingly

guiding this ship to have Mr. Evans terminated. And I could be wrong. And I hope that you know you prove me wrong when if you all going to vote on this. I hope you prove me wrong. And I hope that also Mrs. uh Davis Paneer Councilwoman and I hope that you hear the voices all of you all hear the voices of the citizens. Councilman Spiritis, all of you all hear us, you know, because he has done numerous things that wasn't even the development was not even going on for many, many, many, many years, decades. We were at a standstill here in Riviera Beach. We now have Berkeley's Landing. We have a Riviera Beach Cove, the library. We have a new library. When I used to take my little one to the library, it was so much damage in that library. Same as the police department and the fire department. All the mold, fungus, and asbestous. He cleared that up. I couldn't even check out a book in the library for my little one because you turn the pages, it's mold. It's mold in infestation. Now, he has done a marvelous job. And we do, the citizens do, and myself, I'll speak for myself, want to have him come stay here. Honesty may be uncomfortable, but the deception is destructive.

Thank you so much. And I thank you so much, Madam Chair. The last speaker is JB Dixon. [clears throat]

JB Dixon from Singer Island and Riviera Beach. Well, as predicted, you have all put off the whole question of Jonathan Evans contract hoping that everyone would leave and most people have. So, I will take this opportunity to speak about that rather than when you bring it up. First of all, I wanted to address the very very bogus so-called investigation which you were discussing earlier. Everybody knows what a bogus thing that was that the former mayor who was a pathy for some of the very people who are here tonight did that for 33 employees who said that they were afraid of retaliation if they said anything. Did you know that 80% of those employees were union members? And if you actually believe that people who pay dues to their union are afraid of getting retaliation if they complain to that union, you truly do need IQ tests. Not only was it a bogus investigation, the attorney who is paid for by this unfortunate city refused to come before the council. Just refused and they did not even claw back the money. Of course, she refused because if you look at the record, and I hope you do because many of you were not here then, and you don't know about this

investigation. Obviously, by your questions, it is obvious that you do not know about that. She absolutely absolutely screwed that investigation up. That's why she wouldn't come back and be questioned by the very people who paid her. Then the mayor leaked the report to the media before he gave it to the council. And that's how the he said, she said stuff got out because they knew he knew that those people who were accused had not had a chance had not had a chance to clear their names and didn't have a chance and still haven't had a chance. And very very coincidentally, I'm sure that report has not been able to be produced as we heard earlier today because you would find out.

Thank you so much for your comments. The city manager is innocent by that. Yes. Thank you so much. Yes. Thank you. Is that comment? Yes. Madam Chair, that's the end of our public comments. Mr. Would you like to address any of the issues that the residents raised? I'm sorry. Oh, it's gone. Let us go to our next item, please. Huh? For general comment. Miss uh Frank says she had a I didn't see

who. Miss Okay, never mind. Madam Chair, we are on item 12A, city manager employment contract timeline. We have 12 public comment cards on this item. Very good. This is a discussion of the city council uh discussion of the city manager's employment contract timeline. Um this item was placed on the agenda by a council member in regards to the city manager's contract. Um, we talked about bringing this item back to look at the timeline for uh Jonathan Evans's contract with the city of Riviera Beach. When that started, when does it end? Um, and all of the nuances that go with the contract. Um, I think that Commissioner Gayton was one of the individuals that wanted to place it on the contract. So,

I was the individual. The individual. So I will give him the floor um to ask his questions in regards to this item. Um Madame Chair, in the um essence of time, I would like to suggest I have a motion to put on the floor. If it doesn't get a second, then there's no need for all of this discussion. If it gets a second, then everybody gets to chime in on it. So I would like to start off with the motion and if it gets a second discussion um commences at that time. If not we move on to the next item. Okay.

All right. I I am I am putting a motion on the floor to put to put city manager on notice that we will not be renewing this contract coming up in July. That's my motion. Motion has been made for a lack of a second. Second. There is a second. Yes.

Very good. Um could you There's a motion in the second made. Could you provide to us um the timeline for that contract? Um Mr. Evans, your the time that it starts, time that it ends. I I'm not sure the date of the ending of it. Madam Chair, yes, I believe the uh contract requires both parties to um facilitate notice by I think May 13th whether they look to uh extend mutually extend the terms and conditions that are provided for in the contract or or not extend.

Okay. So May 13th is the date for either party, I believe. So Madam Chair. Okay. Very good, Madam Chair. Yes. Go ahead, sir. Okay. Uh, this is a question for attorney Win. Uh, do we have to go through this motion and discussion before I make a motion to extend the meeting? You can make the motion to extend the meeting at whatever time you want. Okay. Madam Chair, I make a motion that we extend the meeting. Second. Very good. Madam Clerk, Council Person Davis Pier, I'm sorry. Extended to when? Extended till we finish the agenda. Okay, go ahead. Madam clip. Council person Davis Pier. Yes. Council person Gon. Yes.

Chair Miller Anderson. No. Council person Dr. Spiritz. Yes. Chairperson Laneir. No. The item passes with chairperson Lir and chairp Miller Anderson desenting. Okay. So where were we? We were we were at the date of the timeline for the contract. The contract ends. What is the date for the contract end, Mr. Evans? Madam Chair? Yes. Um I believe that the the date if the contract is not extended would be um the 13th of July. I'm trying to bring it up right now. I'm sorry. [clears throat]

Yes, that's correct. Okay. Is that correct? The 13th of July. Okay. And the city has to have uh or you have to provide what 60 days notice. So that would be May 13th. Okay. A minimum of a minimum. Yes. It can be done before that. So, so you're saying that I'm doing it earlier, but May 13th is really like the 60 days the the time frame. No later than 60. Yeah. No. Oh, no. Later than 60 days. I see. Prior to Okay.

All right. So, where are we with this now? Um, do you want to go through anything in regards to you putting it on the No, we can go to public comment if if you like. All right. Very good. Let us go to public comment, please. Public comment for the uh contract for the city manager. [clears throat] Madame Chair, the acceptance of public comment cards is now closed. First speaker is Jimmy Copper, followed by Annette Dragon. And then John Miller, Jimmy Copper, Annette Dragon, John Miller, and Erica Davis.

Hello everyone again. Lynette Dragon, Riviera Beach. This is nuts. What you're proposing to do is nuts. Jonathan Evans has done a tremendous job as city manager and his performance should be judged on an annual review basis. I believe that annual reviews have happened. I hope they have. Hope you guys actually did an annual review of his performance and anything that happened in the past shouldn't be dredged up against him. He's doing a great job. He's brought prosperity to a lot of areas that were not prosperous and he's done what you've asked him to do. Why are you doing this? Is this a political power struggle that's going on? Does Mr. Gton think that he can take over the city manager's job? Is he qualified? Same goes for Mr. Lawson. And I'm not meaning to denigrate anybody, but how are you going to find somebody else to replace him on 60 days notice? You're not. So the job will go vacant and things that have been progressing are going to fall behind and the city is going to get more divisive and more difficult to manage from your standpoint. Why are you doing this? It is not necessary. He's done a great job and should be rewarded as such. Thank you. The next speaker is John Miller followed by Erica Davis and Rochelle Hughes.

[clears throat]

This is like Groundhog Day. What was it? Seven years or eight years ago this happened. Three people decided because of their own reasons to get rid of Jonathan Evans. Why? I really don't know except for the fact that they could do what they wanted. After that, they kicked around a few names. one had to put one if I remember right was the chief of police to be the uh city manager. I don't know what I don't know how that could happen. I don't know. I obviously he was a professional officer, but to have the experience of a city manager, I don't think so. So, we're back at that again. Obviously, yes, it is politically motivated. historically motivated so that they can do what they want and it don't work that way in life. Again, I said I don't know if we can recall any ambience that to try to do that, but I can tell you this. We'll get you out of there one way or another because we did that seven years ago. We got rid of the people that went after them. You don't believe it? Look it up. And let's talk a little about you guys. with a billion and a half dollar debt we're gonna have. Right? You voted to get a thousand dollars for each one of the meetings once a month. Not all of you took it, but the ones that took it, you might think, I need the money. Who needs the money more than the police department who their contract is now up? Who needs the money anymore than the the citizens in this city that are paying high taxes? First of all, let's think about this $1,000 that you get. One meeting a month that runs between one hour and two hours. Is anybody here getting $500 an

hour? Are any of you cops getting $500 an hour? Firemen, anybody here making $500 an hour? I don't think so. It's Excuse my language, but it's wrong. So, what do you want to do? You're going to go after evidence. Why? Again, same thing. Political reasons so that you can do what you want. Like I told you, we're going to watch closely. We're going to watch closely. I I can't wait if I get a chance to talk to the FBI because I want to ask them about conflict of interest and what what does it mean and what does it entail because I really don't know. I'm not a lawyer. I don't know. But I'm going to find out and we're going to be watching what's going on constantly. Thank you. The next speaker is Erica Davis, followed by Rochelle Hughes and Fain Loman. Erica Davis, River Beach. I'm going to say this. First of all, I don't give a cuss what any ignorant Big Mouth residents come up here and spill about what I say. When you can challenge my intellect, then you have something to say. But until then, don't address me or say nothing or look back at me about anything that I say. Cuz I'm going to say what I want to say, when I want to say it, and how I want to say it. And when I come, I come with receipts and knowledge because you know why I when I speak, I do my homework. Unlike a lot of people that get up here with their big mouths, always trying to defend their family members that's in the past that they can't keep on. They keep bringing up over and over again.

That's over with. We're moving on. And Mr. Evans, it's a shame how we have to keep doing this. I don't care. You can do what you want to do because we the people put you in these seats. We hire you. And like one of the speakers said before, you never do anything that we tell you to do or want you to do. you just do what you want to do. But as usual, as I say, our record speaks for itself and we're going to do what we need to do because it doesn't make any sense. We know that you have your own self-serving agendas. We know that, Mr. Spirit, that you are a developer and you work with some of these developers. We know that you have property over there, Barbies Restaurant in Lake Park, that you wanted to build 16 stories over there. We know you're intertwined with all this stuff. We understand that you're pissed off because the counselor's not letting you get in where you fit in. We get all of that. But let it be known that you walked into that seat and Belle still beat you in votes. So you know it doesn't matter. You will not win again. You believe that? Thank you.

The next speaker is Rochelle Hughes followed by Fain Loseman and Cindy March.

Hello again. So again, let me reiterate, city of turmoil, city of corruption. So, I heard last week on a news thing that there might be a little thing going on behind clo behind the scenes in regards to with Chief Kurd resign or not resigning, retiring and that there's, you know, possible some people want a certain person to be put in and that's fine as long as they go through the process. us like we had to when we needed a new chief. You know, you get applications, you go through the whole process, not just someone automatically going into it. So again, city of turmoil, city of corruption with this whole thing. It's all it is. It's like a witch hunt. You know, you hear people talk about that witch hunt. We have a witch hunt going on right here, right now. And alls I can say is that if you want to continue it and you say, "Okay, yeah, let's not renew his contract." That's a witch hunt. Because he has done a lot. And I'm not saying he's not perfect. Trust me, nobody is perfect. No one. Not me, not any of you, not Mr. Evans, not any of us. We are not perfect. But he's done a good job and he's progressed this city like no one else has before. It's him because the das changes. So it's him. So do we want to start again from scratch and and do a Bubba deal of bringing in somebody that oh we want because they'll

be our yes person. I hope not. I hope not. I hope we're smart enough, we're intelligent enough, and and we really bring the community together. Don't tear us apart like you already have. This is this is this has torn apart this city, all of this. Now, you those who who do want to shoe them out, you probably have your reasons. I don't know what they are, but you might have your reasons. It'd be great if you told us what your reasons were. Not just say, "Oh, well, you know, he put somebody on suspension and they shouldn't have blah blah blah blah blah." No, there's got to be more more to it than that. So, really tell us. Be honest. Be transparent. Be transparent with us. Why? Why would you not want to renew his contract? We're The city's moving down the road. You aren't we up for all America city? Are you kidding me? I think it's great, but will also be known as a city of turmoil and corruption. Fane Losman, Cindy March, Maline Irving Millman. If three of you decide to not to renew the contract of the city manager, that's not a recallable offense. That's not malfeasants. It's not misfeeds. It's just like we want to change. We're not firing him. We're just not going to renew his contract. So don't be intimidated by the Singer Island posi over here who's trying to scare you that you're going to be recalled if you don't renew a contract. You have the right to do that. You're the five final policy makers. The five of you run the city. But what's happened is that the city manager and city attorney have usurped your authority. I can give you a bunch of examples where

they have done things without your permission. Really, both of them should not have their contract renewed. But but forget what I think. Let's look at Mayor Felder. Mayor Felder is an intelligent, religious man whose integrity is impeccable. He did a very diligent He did a very diligent investigation and he came up 33 people came forward and talked about misconduct and morale problems. They talked about racism and discrimin discriminatory tactics. They talked about sexual harassment and inappropriate comments by by staff. He did nothing. He didn't address their concerns. What he did do is he fired nine human resource managers or said if you don't resign you get fired. Nine human resource managers. How come nobody's talked about those nine? I've never heard I've lived in other cities. I never heard of nine human resource managers going being let go. Nine. Just think about that for a minute. He got rid of Liz McBride, one of the great shining lights of this city. I mean, my goodness. Just look at the statistics of what he has done. But he's also looked for out for himself during the pandemic. He paid himself hundreds of thousands of dollars that weren't on his contract. And when it was found out that he paid himself over $400,000. Your taxpayers paid this man $400,000 because he said it was dangerous being a city manager during the pandemic. He made more than the president of the United States did. He begged forgiveness and he was able to keep it. when he was fired, he sued the city and they gave him $190,000 and he said, "I won't come back. I won't seek my job and I won't accept it." But once he accepted it, he had to give back the $190 grand. That's the consideration. That's the way the law is. And he just kind of sloughed it off and his little singer island cronies back there kind of like let it slide.

Where's $190,000? That that's our money. That's not his money. He came back. He wasn't supposed to. The bottom line is he has not done a good job. I've talked to police officers. I've talked to people in code enforcement. I've talked to the building department. They are scared to death of this man. That there is a morale problem in this city. Felder recognized it. Some of you have independently recognize it. It's just time for a change. Just like this season's time to move on. The next speaker is Cindy March, Maline Irving Mills, Doretta Pulp, Cindy March, Maline Irving Mills, Doretta Pulk, Julie Boutell, Doretta Pulk, Julie Boutell, and Alicia Franks. Good evening. My name is Detta Park and I'm just just flabbergasted that it was second by you uh Councilman Spears. It is seemingly like a witch hunt like one of the speakers said. Now, some people that e the uh FBI is investigating um I don't know how you going to, you know, try to throw dirt on Mr. Evans and trying to give him a black eye. Well, what about you all who have the FBI subpoening you? And what is all of that

about? I think you all still are throwing dirt. You need to look at your inner self, what you all have done, because the FBI usually don't come in just on on a whim. They may have some damaging evidence and I hope they don't. I hope you all have been aboard, but I say this to you all. Don't do this. Do not vote. I do not vote to terminate Mr. Evans or not give him his contract, renew his contract. He has done such a fantastic job moving this city along where we were just at a standstill, stagnant. This young man has done this. Don't let us go backwards. don't let us go backwards. And I think it as far as taking uh this stipen fund that you all agreed to take when next year when our water bill is so high, I hope that you all leave this uh uh take care of the citizens who you say m uh Councilman Gton crying to you and saying they don't know how they're going to pay their water bill. So, I hope you all will fund this uh have Mr. Sherman uh have the funds for people who aren't able to pay because even this water plant should have been done 25, 30 years ago. And this young man, our leader, CEO,

came in and started the process. So, you know, you you just can't blame him for everything cuz he has done a phenomenal job. And please, please search your heart. And like I say, honesty may be uncomfortable, but deception is destructive. I thank you all. The next speaker is Julie Votel, followed by Alicia Franks and Dolores Williams. Good evening again, Julie Boel, Singer Island, Rivier Beach. And I'm here tonight not just for myself and certainly not for just some Singer Island posi, but on behalf of the hundreds and hundreds, hundreds of residents who signed a petition asking you please continue Jonathan Evans leadership as city manager. Some of them are here tonight and despite the fact that this meeting was noticed only recently and many residents had little time to prepare for it and some unfortunately have already left given the hour. They came here because they understand what is at stake. Rivier Beach needs stability, continuity, and professional leadership, not another cycle of disruption and turmoil. Last week, you were given a handout. I hope you had a chance to take a look at it. Many people here this evening also received it. It lists the accomplishments of Jonathan Evans. It talks about what he fixed, what he built, what funding and investments he secured, what he modernized. The record is clear, the progress is real, and the momentum should not be discarded lightly. Now, unfortunately, the motion that was

made this evening was seconded. Otherwise, we wouldn't be here tonight continuing this conversation. It appears the real question is not whether you're going to fire him outright, but whether or not you're going to continue his leadership and renew his contract. That decision should be based on performance and what is best for the city of Riviera Beach. Concerns about staff morale should be taken seriously, no doubt, but they should be addressed through accountability and direction, not disruption. Removing proven leadership in the middle of major city projects carries real risk. I hope you understand that risk. It's not easy. If you think it's going to be easy to replace him, it's not easy to replace an experienced city manager with demonstrated results, institutional knowledge, and the confidence of this community. And believe me, he has the confidence of this community, not just some posi. We finally have momentum. We finally have continuity. And we finally have leadership that will move this city forward. Don't take this progress backwards. Choose continuity over chaos. Renew Jonathan Evans contract. Thank you. The next speaker is Alicia Franks, followed by Dor Dolores Williams and JB Dixon.

Thank you again for allowing me to speak. Um, it's more much deeper than just their resume. It's the hurting people. I don't hear many people talking about the hurting staff that have dedicated their whole lives to um dedicated their lives to the city. Um just like you guys have. Um and so what hurts is that I keep hearing about this manager I respect and I liked him, but that I got to see a personal side that hurts. that you see someone to the core of them that they're not a good person the way they treat others. Ethicalness is a very important um matter in your leaders. We deserve more than just a no comment. We deserve a city government that follows its own rules. If this council continues to ignore these ethical shortcuts, you are not just ignoring public comments. You're inviting further federal intervention. I formally request that the city attorney, Miss Wyn, provide a written legal opinion in the validity of the gains contract and a status update on the preservation of private devices. And I would also like to ask, what active steps is this office taking to seize and archive these private emails that have listed in the public records request to ensure that they are not deleted before they can be reviewed by public or federal investigations. Please be advised as well that I have submitted a uh complaint to the Palm Beach County OIG. I will be submitting a complaint to the Florida Commissions of Ethics to look into the matters of the backdoor collusion and the emails. It's not right. It's not about me. It's about being doing the right thing and being ethical. I thank you for your time.

The next speaker is Dolores Williams, followed by JB Dixon to everyone again. I just want to say some people comment on something. Mr. spiritist, I have talked to you and I told you when you first got elected what type of pits you was going to be in. And I know you have found that out to be surely true. And Mr. Evans, I want to say this to you. I never had any problem with you cuz you came to help a a senior citizen and they was trying to take their house and do things and it was county people. You came up there, Mr. Ev, you came right there to the house. I appreciate you doing that for that person. That's why I respect you for that. They say Mr. Spiritus and they point out to all what they points on everybody what they did and didn't do. Even you, Mr. the guy and they pointing them out. But like I want to get back to that lizard thing again. I'm telling you when you was running they had these big old post tall as that dope over in Singer Island. Now when you stepped out from them and went against them and challenged them, you are the meanest that NASA's no good fox in the head house. But yet they wanted you here though. But you told them straight out, use a man that need proof and know what to do. So I wish they stopped doing that. They don't keep saying somebody putting this and putting that, putting that.

But the new utility man, he met with us somewhere in the building. He told me all the things that was done and the money that was waste and didn't do this water play. He was honest and truthful. He spoke to me and somebody else. I say, "Thank you for telling the truth." I came when I know they gonna do it. I was home. I came over just to thank y'all for selecting the new utility man manager for the water plant. So, I want y'all to stop being so mean. Don't want to be You got 12 years. You got nine years. Nine years. All y'all have been home with all this water plant. All these people said, "But act like you don't know nothing. you know everything all about this water plant, all the different things that's been going on. I went to one I went and comment a young person about her mother was ill. She got to the thing say you tell her if she saved my name again I'm going to take out a warrant on her. I told that that counselor prayer you better tell her she don't know me cuz I didn't say no but asked her how was your mother doing just how your mother and Mr. Evan, I'm so glad you got married cuz when you first got here, man, they was at you. But I'm glad you got a beautiful wife. That's why this I see you smiling. They was, man, they was at you. But you I'm glad tell your wife I say,

Madame Chair, the last speaker is JB Dixon. as well.

Well, here we are and obviously we understand that the fix is in or it wouldn't be on the agenda. So, there are three votes to not renew the contract of Jonathan Evans. I don't need to tell you what Jonathan Evans has done for the city. Everyone else has done that. What we need to talk about is that who are those three votes? Who is going to join Mr. Gayton? I don't think that the two ladies who are chair and chair prom are going to do that because the next item on the agenda is to get rid of them. So clearly they were not persuaded to vote. So it appears if this measure is to pass that the two votes will be given by two people who were never elected to their positions by the citizens of Riviera Beach. Isn't that something? So, if this is in fact, you know, the fix is going to go through, I just hope that those of you who have this print out of Jonathan Evans accomplishments, whoever you replace him with, I would like to see you prepare this same document for that person. I would like to know what that person has fixed. And I would like you to compare it to what our by then former city manager fixed. I would like to see in this person's background

what he built and I would like to compare that to what our by then former city manager has built to go on for almost four pages. I would like to see what your replacement and I will ask that if this person comes before this uh meeting what funding and investments in this person's background did that person secure what did that person modernize that should all be on his resume and it should all be available to those of us who have received this one today. Good luck with that,

Madam Chair. That's the end of public comment for this item. Thank you. Are there any other questions in regards to this item? Madam Chair? Yes. Go ahead. This motion on the floor, what does this uh look like in regards to this decision? If this motion passes or fails, what is the the step of the board not renewing the contract? What does that mean? I think that's a question for the city attorney. Yes, ma'am. Mr. Mayor, can you repeat the question, please?

Uh, the motion was made to not renew the contract. If it does pass, what does that look like in regards to the terms of the contract? It depends on the pleasure of the of the council. Um, you have some options. One is to believe Mr. Evans said that the last day or we agreed was July 13th. So, he can remain your manager until July 13th or you have the option of um ending the contract now. That will require you to pay a severance. Um and um you know, we will work out what that looks like.

Follow me. Yes. Go ahead. the statement about work out what that looks like. Is is that not clear in the contract as to what the severance looks like? Severance is under Florida statutes 20 weeks of pay. You cannot exceed that. And is that paid on today or is that paid on the 13th of July? If if that's the pleasure of the board, what is that? If it's the pleasure of the board to um end the contract today, then I'm sorry, Madam Chair. Yes. Go ahead.

What What was the motion? I mean, I thought we're talking about what the motion was and what happens if we if we decide if we vote to end it in July. I thought that was what the question was. What how does that look? not what other options we have to terminate now or terminate later. We're adding new options to what we already put down as a motion. So the question is if we make the vote to terminate the cont to let the contract run out, what does it look like for a secession is what I thought the question is supposed to be.

Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair. Yes, that's the question. And what does that look like if we if we do not renew the contract as a board? Does what are the next step? What does that look like? Again, I mean, you're not asking me for options. Now, is I misunderstood the question. Um, it would be that Mr. Evans would leave the employment of the city on July 13th. Would there still be a severance requirement at that time? Not if he worked the entire time. because you aren't severing. You're just ending the contract. You're letting the contract run out.

Um I also wanted to to there do we have I thought I don't think we do have any evaluations for Mr. Evans for this year. Um, we're we're saying that we're going to let the contract run out, but I would definitely want to know from my colleagues what that evaluation looks like. Um, if we're doing that, I would want to base it on something because even though the contract may end, um, there still could be room for, you know, you can sue for anything, but I really would want my colleagues to be able to do an evaluation of this gentleman so that there is something on record of the reason why we let this contract in. I don't see why we would do that without having something in place that basically says this these are your evaluations. We're going to let the contract in.

Madam Chair. Yes. Go ahead. When was the last evaluation done? [clears throat] Madam Chair, if I may. Yes. Go ahead. Um, I have to by contract I have to provide you with um a list of accomplishments by May 1st of every year and then the board has until June 1st to provide uh their comments back and so I've been doing that historically every year of the contract. So did we do an uh uh observation did we do an evaluation June 2025? U Madam Chair. Yes. Go ahead. Uh some some of the board members did complete the evaluation. So, you didn't get one from everybody here, Madam Chair? Yes. No, I did not.

Okay. Well, I think that's important to make sure we do that. Madam Chair, and versus verbally saying what the issues are. I think it's I mean, that's just by right that if we want to do that, I would think that's important to have. Um, and I know on the other hand, Miss uh, Attorney W's contract, um, there's evaluations that we haven't done for her either, I'm sure, if I'm not mistaken. Right, Madam Chair? Yes. Yeah. The language in Mr. Evans's contract is different from mine. Mine doesn't require you to do one. His does.

Okay. So, if we're required to do one, then we need to do one. If we haven't didn't, especially if we did, some people didn't do it last year. I think it would only be right that we get the evaluation done prior to the ending of the contract. Thank you. Hold on a second. When miss when is your contract in December of this year? December. And so the city the city council has until when um to renew your contract. Is it where where is that where does that stand? In September, I advise you whether or not I'd like to continue and then you all decide whether or not you'd like me to continue.

But madam [clears throat] chair, madam chair, but no, this is a special meeting. I understand this is a special meeting. I asked the question in regards to her contract because we're talking about contracts. No, we're talking about Mr. Evans contract. And yes, we are. And we're talking about her contract now because I asked her because we're talking about on the agenda. I know she's not on the agenda. I'm asking questions in relation to his contract. So, let me um ask that question again. So, you said in September for yours, Mr. Evans own is in May. So, but Mr. Evans does not have any con does not have any evaluations on record as of this year. Am I correct? M I may.

Yes. There are um there are some evaluations. It's just not from the complete board, but there are some evaluations that were submitted. Okay. And and when do we have to have those submitted by Madam Chair? Yes. Uh June 1st by the by the city council. I have to provide you by I have to provide you something by May 1st and then the board has till June 1st. Okay. Got it. Madam Chair.

Yes. Go ahead, sir. The charter says that he works at will and if we want to move in a different direction and evaluation is not required. Now you all can throw in all these delayed tactics and all that. That's that's all it is. This is not a delayed tax in my opinion. That's my opinion. I'm entitled to my opinion and I understand I'm asking this question because I don't want to be in a position where we are not following and I said this the last time. We're not following this contract and we have to pay out money. Madam Chair, that is what I want to avoid. Okay. Okay, Madam Chair. Yes. Go ahead.

So, and I I I agree with you. I don't want to have to pay any additional money depending on how this goes, but you you can nonrenew without cause. Am I correct? Um, attorney Win. Correct. Yes. Okay. My position is that, and I'm not trying to delay anything, sir. My position is that without an evaluation on file, and I don't see what the problem is us putting an evaluation on file so that that would be something that a person couldn't sue for. I mean, to to say that to say that the

that there was nothing on file and and I, you know, I was, you know, terminated without cause, somebody will take the case. I just want to make sure that all our bases are covered so that we don't be in the position that we were in the last time. That is it. Okay. Madam Chair, um, hold on a second. Let me finish. Go ahead. Well, I mean, if if we're planning to non-renew, I I probably don't feel I did an evaluation last year, but I probably don't feel comfortable giving an evaluation this year if we're planning to non-renew um without cause because then he has, you know, a just cause to get an attorney and say, "Well, this is what they said and what have you." So, I I mean, I I feel differently about that, Madam Chair.

Yes. Go ahead, sir. Okay. Uh uh uh Commissioner Gayton, when you made your motion, were you expecting to have the city manager stay in his position till July 13th, or were you planning on putting in an interim city manager? I was planning on putting another motion on the floor and uh to answer your question, no, I was not intending them on him staying until July 13th. I had another motion I was going to put on the floor.

Thank you. So, [snorts] there's a motion on the floor and there's a second. Um, if there are not any other questions in regards to this item, then we can ask the city clerk to um call the question. Madam Chair. Yes. Go ahead. Can you have a restate the motion? What is the motion, Madam Clerk? The motion made by Councilman Giden is to put the city manager on notice that his contract will not be renewed in July. Um, can you make that July 13th so that we we're clear on the language that's in the actual contract? Yes, ma'am. July 13th.

Are we good? All right. Very good. Madam clerk, council person Davis Pier. Can you repeat repeat repeat it again? The motion is to put the city manager on notice that his contract will not be renewed. All right. Yes. On July 13th. Yes. Council person Gon. Yes. Chairpro Miller Anderson. No. Council person Dr. Spiritz. Yes. Chairperson Laneir. No. The item passes with council chairperson Lenir and chairpro Tim Miller Anderson desenting. Madam Chair, I have another motion.

Yes. Go ahead, sir. I'd like to put a motion on the floor that um we buy out whatever time is remaining on the city manager's contract. That's my motion. Oh my god. Let's see how this second. There's a second on the there's a there's a motion. Uh could you please restate the motion sir? I'm sorry audience please. Uh sir could you restate the motion?

My motion is that the city buy out whatever time remaining on the city manager's contract which mean effectively it would be ending now. Okay. There is a motion that is on the floor to pay money to buy out uh manager Evans's contract uh as of tonight. Madam Chair, public comments. Madam Chair. Yes, sir. Uh Commissioner Gayton, do you have an interim person in mind?

That would be decided by the city council. Well, I I think that that has to be done by by motion and then the city council can decide, but someone has to bring that up. Yes. Yes. Yes, there'll be a motion following. Oh, all right. Very good. So, there is a motion. Was there a second from you, um, Commissioner Spiritis? Yes. Second. There's a second from Commissioner Spiritis. Um, are there any public comments on this item? Madam Chair, we've already gone through the public. Not this particular motion, though. Ma'am, put another motion. There's another motion on the floor. Yes. We don't have any comment cards that you haven't asked for.

No, you haven't asked for any. Yeah, we have to ask. We This is a whole new motion. Let him speak. Let him Yeah. No, this is this is a whole [clears throat] new motion. We This was not on the agenda. The on the agenda was the part of his contract. Hold on a second, sir. on the agenda was the uh city manager's contract and this is another motion um to buy out a contract. So that's something that's totally different that we would have to ask for public comment and uh you can do that now. Madam Chair, yes my inquire. Um Mr. Gains, are you recording? I mean, is it necessary? You can't stop. I I just asked him. Okay, but I just You can't. It's public.

Okay, I get it. I just I just asked because I want him to recognize that I recognize that he could. It's okay. All right. So, very good. There is a motion and a second on the floor. Um, can we get public comment? If anybody wants to have public comment, please come up front, give your name to the clerk so that you may be able to speak during this comment period time. Madam Chair, you want to take a five minute recess to the line? Yes, we can do that. We We will take what? Okay, we don't need to. All right, very good. Uh, could you please give your name to the to the clerk so that you can do public comment, please?

All right, very good. Miss Davis, you want to go ahead and get started?

Erica Davis, Rivier Beach. Now you're doing too much. But it's okay because uh we might be hiring attorney gains and uh we gonna fight some of this stuff and we going to bring Jonathan back. It's okay. He'll be back just like the last time. It took two years, but he came back and we're going to bring him back again. But tomorrow, tomorrow you will be famous because the residents is going to know how much money you spent of the taxpayers money since you so you care so much about it. And you too, all of you. You're going to be famous tomorrow. All of the documents will be on record on Facebook cuz I am sick and tired of this. The same old stuff. You think you really run this city, don't you? You didn't get anything done, not one thing when you were in office before and I knew not to put you back in. It was my mistake. But I'm going to make sure I make good on that. I don't care what you say. But hopefully you'll be going to prison before uh it's time to to to to let him go. And if not, you going to get out of there anyway cuz we don't want you you either. You walked in your seat. You won't get it back. The next speaker is Annette Dragon. Hello again. One step forward, a hundred steps back. What are you guys doing? This is nuts. He's done a great job so far. Okay, maybe some of the parameters are a bit woolly, but he's done a great job. We've moved a lot further forward with him than we would without him. Madam Chair, one moment.

Uh, Chief Coleman, can we have this taken care of in the public? Madam Chair, uh, we will have a fivem minute recess. Fivem minute recess, please. We need some order.

We ready. We are going to

uh we had to take a brief uh a brief recess. Uh we are still at we're still at April 27th. This is a special city council meeting. The time is 10:28. We are in the process of uh a motion on the floor and a second has been made for the uh buyout of the city manager contract. Um that motion has a second. We have given the public an opportunity to be able to speak to that motion given that it was not a part of the original agenda. Let us get started. Miss Dragon, go ahead. Mayor,

thanks very much. We're in the dark ages again in Riviera Beach. You've got all this good stuff going on with the youth council and all the other stuff and the city the city being recognized as in the top 20 in the country and so forth. And what you're doing with this motion to buy out Mr. Evans contract is ridiculous. What are you going to do when you buy out the contract? Who's going to fill his place? What are you going to do with all the projects that he has started and has ongoing? Are you all going to do the administration of all that? Are you all qualified to do the administration of all those things? Think about this people. We need a good city manager and Jonathan Evans is that. He's going to come back. You know he is. And it's going to cost you another $250,000 the next time he decides he's coming back. But that's if he really wants to come back. And I'm sure he does. He does a great job here. And you guys had your faith in him to start with. Why haven't you got this faith in him now? Don't buy the contract out. Let him continue in his job. Thank you,

Madam Chair. The next speaker is Andrea Jarvis, Fain Loseman, and Doretta Pal. Andrea Jarvis. I own a small business with my business partner Kim Crawford here in the city of Riviera Beach. For the past 30 years, we've owned this business in the city of Riviera Beach. For the first 25 years, there was nothing but drug addicts, hookers, and blight. Nothing. I haven't seen any of you come to my place of business. We put up the first new building in the city. Nobody's come to show up to see it. Why? The housing department told me once I was a white woman, I'd never be able to build a building in your city. Hence, I got one. But now you want to cancel this man's contract. He's the only one in 30 years who's done anything for this city and not put his hand out and take money in his pocket. So are you looking to get rid of them so you can get more money in your pocket? Because the blight is gone, the drug addicts are gone, the hookers are gone, and that's all Riviera Beach was good for for the last 30 years. Hence, here comes a man. He brings in, he's doing development. There's no more blight behind 23rd Street, 24th Street, 25th Street. They're all gone. But where have you been? Has anybody come to see our business? Is it because I'm a white woman and now you want to get rid of this man? Why? You didn't get enough money put in your pockets for the developments that he's done already. You want to start all over so you can put some money in your pocket. What is the reason? Not one of

you has come up with a reason of why. Why? Between Mr. Evans and Mi Police Chief Coleman, this city has run better than any of any council members, any city managers. So my question to you is why? And I'd like an answer. Madam chair, the next speaker here is Fain Loseman followed by Da Poke and Dolores Williams.

Fane Loseman, I just want to preface my comment with a little story about Jonathan Evans. When I first met him when he first took employment for the city, I invited him over to Singer Island and he came over there and he looked around and he go, "This is an amazing properties that up here can be developed." He said he said this like $800 million worth of property and it would accomplish the purpose of saving the road from being flooded. So he had he was the visioner but then once they got to him I couldn't have a light pole. I couldn't have a fence. People could trespass hope young children drown on my property to make me go bankrupt. So he was he had a vision but he was afraid to stand up to the Singer Island crowd. Um, and by the way, a 1.35 acre piece of property with the 10,000 square foot home sold in Lost Tree Village just north of us. $97.5 million. Look it up on the property. Pay those tax rules. We have 800 million a billion dollars worth of property there. you should develop it and get that tax income coming in the city because one of his legacies is we have a firehouse, but we got the most expensive firehouses in the county. Somebody's going to have to pay for all that. But anyway, I just wanted to share that story with you how he he was a man of vision when he came and then he just got into a rut with the Singer Island crowd under with their finger on top of everything he did. Um, as far as the transition, we have a pretty impressive man here. We have Kevin Coppins who been in law enforcement 38 years with the deputy chief. He has a law degree. He is a leader. He's a man of integrity. He can certainly take over either full-time the position or while you're going through a search committee. So, let's not discount the leadership we have sitting at a table right behind me. So, it's not going to be like the city's going to go

to hell in a hand basket. You could also have a transition. I mean, Coppin's been working as the assistant city manager. he knows the game, but maybe you could have a 10, 15, 20 day transition um to get him up to speed. But that would be my recommendation is to bring uh assistant um city manager CP and to run the show or you guys make a determination on the search committee or how how that's going to proceed. But maybe there maybe in that motion there should be some kind of transition brief transition to get the assistant city manager up to speed. or maybe it's already up to speed and you don't need a transition. But um finally, we're not the final policy makers up there. They are. They've done their due diligence. They've talked to employees around the city like I have talked to employees. I try to introduce myself to them. They know what's going on. We don't. Just because somebody built a bunch of firehouses and a water plant doesn't mean that the employees under him haven't been traumatized. and these three who voted to go for a different direction their comments.

Thank you so much for your comment sir. Thank you so much.

The next speaker is Dakota P followed by Dolores Williams and Rochelle Hughes. Good evening again. My name is Doretta Park and um what occurred here a few minutes ago. Let me tell you, every director, attorney Win, Chief Coleman, every director, you're not safe. Your job is not safe here. You despise Mr. Evans that much, Mr. Gayton, that you want him to immediately be gone tonight, tonight. But let me tell you, you're being investigated, you know, and I hope things turn out well for all of you all who's being investigated. But let what goes around comes around. He sits high and looks low. What you all are doing here and especially if you vote to say tonight this is it is totally wrong. Totally wrong. He doesn't deserve that. And just like the judge said cuz we all wanted him citizens wanted him to come back to return to the city of Rivier Beach. The judge said the people have spoken that he could not go against the people. This is our will and it's still our will

for having Mr. Evans as leadership CEO. And I said it before, how do you sleep at night? How do you sleep at night to try to destroy this young man? But you know what? You're destroying yourself because let me tell you something, just like the past councils was up here, he'll never be up here again. And I hope that you all don't want to dismiss him right away because let me tell you, every leadership in this in this city, you're not safe. You can do YOUR DAIS AND THE BEST by the citizens, but they do not care if they you're not going by their drum. They're getting rid of you. And you, Mr. Councilman Gayton, I apologize to every citizen that I came and you gave me those signs to put in the yard. I apologize to them for helping you get in that seat because you came with agenda probably along with this mayor came with an agenda to to to dismiss Mr. Evans. And shame on you. Shame on you. Well, like I say, how you sleep at night? What kind of conscience did you have? None. None. For you to ready say, "Okay, we're going to do this tonight. He's gone." Well, you never know when you're going to be gone.

And that's all I have to say.

Shameful. Dolores Williams followed by Rochelle Hughes Evan. Uh, you're not going to crown the show again this year, are you, Miss Anderson? But we want all of us crying. So, you talk I'mma talk to you about it. Okay? I done talked to you once before. But, Miss Evan, I want you I don't know what Mr. Giden felt like. why he said because I was shocked when it was first saved. I want you to know that. But follow the rules. What is done right, what's done in the dark will come to the light. 12 years you've been there. Nine years she been there. Nine years mayor, you've been there. Tragic. Y'all fought so hard to make sure Mr. Gen get tragic out this seat. Now you're doing the same thing to him. So, what do y'all get? What is wrong with y'all? Y'all, they keep saying y'all up there. Who is the y'all? Everybody keep pointing. Who the y'all? Y'all trying to definitely point at Mr. G. Is it y you you can't talk them two new people? Didn't y'all I find out y'all talking y'all want to recall them? Recall them for what? Trying to do a job that 12 years you've been there. Seen all this here. Seen a water plant. Seen everything here. You've been right here with Mr. Evans. Mr. Evans came back. Mr. Everton, Mr. Evans learned quite a bit on the job. You learned quite a bit on the job as a council person. So don't try to put down and to say we don't have another brother or we can have a sister that I appreciate Mr. Evans. I told him I've always talked to him. I've given him a hug. But I want y'all to say go with a good conscience. If you say no, that's no. You say yeah. Don't let them make you

feel condemned cuz every man and woman have a right TO SPEAK THEIR CONSCIENCE. You I'm not God. They they not God. Who getting up here? You not God. Only God going to judge us. You can rub that eyebrow and that hair and turn to the side all you want, but your day coming too. And if I was to say something, Miss Mr. Lenil, they were saying, Mr. Evan, I don't know if it's true, Miss Evan or you, Mr. in here that you pressuring him to make sure you get Sam. Samuel is a nice young man. I don't know that it was a I'm telling many people come to me say so many things to me about y'all. I don't get up there and say, but since y'all acting like this and saying that and the people that the special group y'all have, they be so loud and they be just outrageous. I ain't hear that gabble. Not one time when they was carrying on. Miss Margaret didn't do a thing. She was going by. I was talking to Miss Margaret. I say, "Woo, boy, it made me feel so bad." She thought Miss Margaret was saying something, but that was not Miss Margaret Shepherd this time, y'all thought. So, please do the right thing. Turn your head to the side if you want to. It don't going to have to come straight. Miss Bautell, Miss Bautell, M Rochelle Hughes is first and then you're next. Rochelle Hughes and then Julie Bell. Hello. [sighs and snorts] So, if it goes that Mr. Evans leaves as tonight, I do hope I don't want anybody that you recommend or that you recommend for that position because right now I don't trust either one of you. I respect you, but I don't trust you. especially after what you read from the media.

I would hope that we would be smart as a city that if you don't want to renew his contract, you do keep him in office to train the next person. Oh my god, what a concept. so that he could, you know, teach them, show them, get them on the same page. Yes, I know we have a we have great assistant city manager, maybe he Mr. Conklin, but before you just let him go, you think smartly about this city and how it's run. He runs the city. I know you guys are the council, but he runs the city. So be smart and let him stay through the end of the contract so he can train the next person and then that person can take over because neither one of you can run this city. I know what you want to do. You got I know I got your number and guess what karma if you know about it be weary. If you don't know about it, read about it. Cuz karma will always come back. No matter what we do in our lives, karma will come back and get you when you do something so deceitful and so just nasty. It will come back and get you. No matter. I've seen it. And I believe in karma. I do. I've seen it. my own eyes, I've seen what is done to people. So, let's be smart and not just say, "Okay, goodbye tonight." Because then tomorrow we're going to be we are a city in turmoil. Somebody wrote on, "We're a city of disaster." On the

comments of tonight's meeting, city of disaster really again. So, please, I implore you council members, at least Mr. Spiritis, Miss Pineer Davis, Miss Laneir, Miss Anderson, I implore you, let's let's be smart about this and don't just destroy everything because, you know, one person or two people want you to. Thank you. The ne the next speaker is Julie Bautell, followed by Taste and Gains.

Julie Bautell, Singer Island Beach. I I didn't think I could speak again. I'm just too I'm too upset. I said to myself, "No, you you're not. It's not going to do any good." But I do have one question, so that's why I'm here. I would like council to ask your city attorney for advice as to whether a buyout is even permissible under the contract because I believe the contract permits only two methods of termination in section 13. So ask if it is permitted to um to have a buyout if that's something that's part of the language in the contract. I would appreciate having that answer. Thank you,

Madam Chair. The next speaker is Tason Gains. Uh good evening, council again. Uh thank you. I'll be brief. All right. Um, I want to state for the record tonight that Mr. Evans is one of the six impacted individuals that the council has retained my services to ensure that he has a right to due process as well as the other five. any decision to terminate him or buy out his contract, which I don't believe is even an option under his contractual terms, even if it is, will detriment and prevent my ability to present a complete and comprehensive report. Secondly, it will infringe on the very integrity that the investigation was designed to produce because he is one of the six impacted individuals. if he is terminated, he will not get his right to due process and the right to be heard, which is what this entire investigation was about. And uh my duty and my interest and my contractual obligation to the city is to ensure that investigation is complete. So I just wanted to put that on the record. Thank you,

Madam Chair. That was the last public speaker.

Um I think that that's a that that's a fair question. Um my understanding is that there are two uh reasons in terms of of termination for the city manager. One of them being without cause and you let the contract uh run itself out. Even if that is the case, if the contract runs itself out, do you still have to do an evaluation for that individual? Second one is that there is cause meaning that you have to have a list of whatever the issues are for them to be terminated. So the that is why I was very very adamant about sticking to this contract. I don't want to be I don't want to put the city in a position and it's not about us and it's not even about Jonathan Evans. It is about the fact that the city has no money and there is no way that we can sit here in good conscience and just throw money out the window. We need to be very clear and very sharp about how we do this. Their motion has already been made and seconded and approved that the contract will end in July July 13, 2026. Anything else, which is the motion on the floor for a buyout, is something that was done at almost 11 o'clock at night. It gave residents or anybody else any opportunity to even speak on it. And people had to rush up here to say, "Well, let me talk about it. Let me say something about it." That is just not how you do business. If you want to let the contract end, then there needs to be an evaluation. if you want to be able to and there is no buyout uh part of his contract. So, we cannot we cannot even entertain that.

And this is No, no, no. Hold on. I'm finished. I'm I'm talking. I'm just saying that I want to make sure that whatever we do um that it is by the contract and that the city is not in the uh position that we have to pay out additional money because of some misstep that we made. That is only fair to the residents. That's only fair to us. It's only fair to the people who are sitting the the uh city manager. And now we're at a juncture where there's a motion on the floor for a buyout. We need a legal opinion about that. Is that something that we can do? And I'm going to direct that question to the city attorney.

Madam Chair, if I if I may. Yes, go ahead.

Just just two things. Um, one, you know, clearly the board has communicated its desires to effectively move on at the the term of my contract or or the 13th. Um, you know, what I would ask for the board is to consider um us entering into, you know, a mutual separation that effectively um accomplishes what the desires of the board um are. and and certainly for me to protect what what legal rights I have as well and to seek competent legal counsel. But clearly I I understand what the desires of the board are and and we can look to get something in front of you for your consideration uh here in in in short order. But that would be my request that the board to consider. And then at the conclusion of that, I would like an opportunity if the board would indulge me to um just say a couple of words.

Go ahead. Who's that? Well, madam chair now. No, not now.

Oh, I was like, hey, so this is this is my my reservation. Um, it's been done. The the contract ends at the end of the uh of his contract. But this whole buyout piece, which was kind of thrust upon us, I am not comfortable with. I am not comfortable because I don't know what that means to the city and to its coffers. If the contract doesn't even mention anything about a buyout, it also mentions that we let the contract run out that we have to do an evaluation on him. So, all of these things have to be put in order for us to be able to get out of this unscathed and not putting out a whole lot of money to actually do it. I don't I think that that is fair to ask that if we're going to do something then we do it right and we do it within the confines of his contract and that we don't spend any unnecessary monies that we don't have to be able to get this accomplished. Any other comments in regards to this?

Yes. Go ahead, sir. I am prepared to amend my motion to accept Mr. Mr. Evans suggestion to enter into a mutual separation agreement.

Go ahead, sir.

I was indicating that I am prepared to amend my motion to accept Mr. Evans offer for a mutual separation agreement on a condition that is effective tonight. time to to get through this. Um there's a motion on the floor and there's a second. Um I am have big reservations about a buyout because the contract does not mention a buyout. I do not And then there's also this other issue of of him being a part of this litigation about this whole report. It is just ugly. I do not want the city to be put in a position where we're putting out more money than we have to. It is a blight and an eyes saw for the city and the optics are horrible. [clears throat]

Madam chair. Yes. Go ahead.

Um the other thing I think we need to be careful of too is um given the appearance of retaliation um given that we have that investigation we're trying to wrap up. one. Two, it's been numerous meetings where there's been a whole lot of hostile um hostile situations with Mr. Evans and Mr. Gayton. Um the other thing is, as I said before, for many decades and and someone came up to the podium and said the exact same thing. for many decades nothing and I mean absolutely nothing was taking place in this city and you know Mr. Gen, I certainly endorsed you. We we we said kumbaya and all of that and you know I I said that I would not have an issue in endorsing you and helping you get back on the board. But and and no promises were made from you to me and from me to you either. So there was no expectation. But what I didn't foresee is that the person that I was supporting was going to totally dismantle everything that we've had going on for the last several years. Um, and I can assure you the stuff that was going on, well, the lack of things happening when you were here before, I I know you can honestly cannot honestly say that there has been much more progress happening that is visible than there was when you were here before. Um, and I know that the whole reason we're all up here is to do what's best for the city. And I honestly don't see

how with the progress that we're making, how totally disrupting, what we're doing now is going to be what's best for the city. And then, you know, uh, Mrs. No, no major shade to you, Mr. Spiritis and Miss uh Davis Pinier, but your time on the board has and you and believe me, you all have a right to vote however you want, but I have to say that the amount of progress that we have made, you all have been able to benefit from that. And it was it and it it has it cannot go without saying that you two are in a seat and you are making decisions for a seat that you were not elected for. Yes, you're here,

but you did not you don't you didn't have to work for it and to understand what is put into that. Madam Chair, point of order. Let me finish, please. Order. Point of order. Madam Chair, let me finish. It is against Robert's rules to make derogatory statements against members of the public. That's not derogatory. That is derogatory and you are prohibiting. That is a fact, sir. These are facts. I'm not making up nothing. So, and my madam chair, you're going to control this meeting. I'll just leave. Okay. Madam Chair, hold on. Madam Chair, rule on the point of order. Madam chair as based on just Robert's rules

we have talking and we're going to give each of us up here opportunity to talk. We need to make sure that courtesy for vice chair we have every res. Madam Chair, we're governed by Robert's rules, not by you. I'm not. We are governed by Robert's rules and I have the right Madam Chair, you have to stop and recognize the point of order. Madam Chair, and then the member, Madam Chair, that's Robert's rules.

You have to stop, recognize the point of order, let the member speak on this point of order, and then you rule. So, let's follow Robert's rules, Madam Chair. That's that's not true.

So, as I said, it is a difference when you are elected into a position versus just being able to get there and knowing that the hard work that you put in, you're able to see it because you have a group of people who are working together. They're trying to do what's best for the city. And then you also have a city manager who has been able to implement those policies that you want to see move forward. I've been up here, and I I don't like to continue to say the same things over and over, but I've been up here before where we have had managers that may not have been able to move things forward as they should have and that was the result. you didn't see anything happening in the city and and you would have to be blind to say that there's no progress. Now, if I had to kind of look at everybody, all of the managers, and I like I said, I've been with six since I've been here, six different managers. The ones in before Mr. Evans, many of them, not all, but many, did not have the backbone to be able to stand up to people who are trying to push them into certain directions. And just from my perspective, I have felt that Mr. Evans did not easily go with what some wanted him to do. And because of that, that's why we are where we are right now. The others, many of the others, not all, they complied. And because they complied, they got to

stay. They didn't have any issues. No complaints. Nobody had any complaints about any of the things that were going on. and you didn't have did not have not one bit of progress or projects going on, but everything was okay. You have to realize that absolutely made no sense. But that's where we are. And and I just hope that you know with the situation, if you have the three votes, I mean, we can't do nothing about that. That I mean, it is what it is. Y'all have to deal with that. But I just think that we have to be able to recognize and be true truthful to ourselves to say there's a lot going on that you had not seen in 30 years. You can't you can't ignore that. And you have to recognize that at a time there was a time when everybody on the board were the main goal was to make sure that the city moves forward and I think we did that over the last six, seven, eight years. Now we're in the middle of a number of projects and to upset the cart right now is is absolutely ridiculous. But if that is where you all want to go with this, like I said, it's your vote. You have to deal with that. Um, but it it if you want to do what's best for the city, you you wouldn't sit here and make this rash move tonight just on a whim. Who's going to take over? How are we going to continue? I mean, there's a lot of things that we need to sit here and think about, but we but if you came in with an agenda already, I mean, y'all probably I mean, you've already had that discussion in your head, obviously, so there's nothing to have to try to figure out. But, you know, I I don't I think it's it's a big a big

mistake. But again, you all are free to vote however you like, but it it just makes no sense to me. Thank you. Thank you. I I just think that the um issue that's on the floor, which is a buyout, is something that I'm very nervous about. Madame Attorney, she say to do

um Madame Chair, if if I may, um to to speak on the the mutual separation agreement. Um the the intent is to try to resolve those particular issues and then determine how does the board wish to proceed. Is it a situation where the board wants to me to continue out till the end of the term? Uh does the board wish to, you know, look to move sooner than that? Um I will tell you as a result of the previous action, I will be not I will not be making any additional appointments to any senior level positions in the organization. That will be the responsibility of the the new administrator that that would come into the role. And so right now we're in the process as it relates to to the the fire chief. I would I would stop that particular process and allow for the incoming manager to to look to address that. And you know, I know our existing chief terms out or or retires uh May 1st. And so that that process and and HR and and the intram manager, acting manager, full-time manager can handle that. But the intent behind the uh separation agreement is to effectively resolve all those issues and cure those issues uh consistent with what whatever the board's desire. And so I don't know if it's something that the board wants to appoint one member to serve and work with the city attorney. I I certainly would need to have competent legal counsel represent me as well uh to ensure that you know my interests are protected and my family's interests are protected. Thank

thank you sir. So where are we now? We have a motion on the floor and there's a second. Do we need to call this question? I'm sorry, Madam Chair. Yes. Go ahead. So, attorney when addressing um attorney gains um regarding this investigation, uh you know, where does that put us with with regard to that? I mean, is it going to be an issue? I think it's just a coincidence. We we are at the end of the contract where you all determine whether you want to renew or not and it just happens to be at the same time that this is going on. It's not like there two years left on the contract and you're doing it. Ben, I would agree with him. Madam Chair, yes. Go ahead, sir.

Okay. So, attorney W. So, we can have in this separation agreement, we can resolve all the issues pertaining to that pertaining to that case. Is that correct? It's not really a case. Well, the investigation I wouldn't address that in the separation agreement. I think it's a separate issue. That's that's an issue dealing with more than Mr. Evans as well. There's six six individuals that are that as Mr. Gains calls them the adversely affected individuals. Um, but I'm I'm talking about pertaining to future litigation. I mean, we would be addressing that in the mutual release or the general release that Mr. Evans,

right? That's that's that's what I'm referring to. Thank you. All right. So, where are we? Are you keeping the motion on the floor for this buyout? Are we looking at the separation agreement? Madam Chair. Yes. Go ahead.

Can I ask uh uh Commissioner Gayen? Uh are you suggesting that we uh have the city attorney prepare a separation agreement with the city manager uh within the next few days? I don't think we can do it tonight, but I think that within the next few days, but that doesn't mean that you can't put somebody in temporarily while that's being done. He's not being terminated. We're not renewing the contract, but the city manager asked us to for a separation agreement. So, we're going along with what the city manager is asking. At least I'm suggesting that we go along with what the city manager is asking. Yeah, but then we'll be paying to answer your question.

We'll be paying too. But go ahead, sir. Go ahead. Yes, within the next few days. Uh, let me say this too. Everybody is um acting like the world is going to fall apart. It's not. Hold on. Um, people get emotional when they like certain people and ma'am. And anytime somebody doesn't agree with what they think should happen, they're the worst thing in the world. These people have some up here have done the same thing. They came in fired Ruth Jones. She wasn't doing and and a lot of people thought she was doing a good job.

You did. But see, but now you know it's it's no fun when the rebbit got the gun. I I understand. Okay. So, I'm saying that this happened both ways. Listen, we understand, Mr. Mr. Yeah. I mean, if you don't agree with me, that's fine. I'm entitled to my opinion. Commissioner, I don't agree with your opinion. Commissioner Giden, we're not gonna go back and forth with the audience. I'm just saying, you know, I sit up here and get a tag and I understand and I'm this is this is this is a part of the of the the job that we took on being elected. People going say what they going to say and that's just how it goes.

Dr. Spirit, by by the end of the week, I would expect this to be resolved. Thank you, Commissioner. Okay. So, what are we looking at? Are are you still have this motion and second on the floor, sir? Are you withdrawing your motion? Madam Chair, so is that is that an addition to his that's part of his motion, I believe, what what he just said. He's amended his motion. But if we're talking about a buyout, then how are we going to have a separation agreement with a buyout? It's not really a buyout. It's a separation agreement. We we we haven't You need to change. City manager has not been fired. I will amend my motion.

Um, please make a motion that we understand so that we can know what we're what we're dealing with here. So, go ahead, sir. What is the motion? Well, go ahead. And you you're amending your original motion. Am I correct? Yes. Okay. I'm amending my motion. Okay. um to have the city attorney um negotiate a mutual separation agreement on no later than 12 noon Friday. By no later than 12 noon Friday, Madam Chair. And so and so what does that mean? U Commissioner

that mean that they have until Friday to work this out. Okay. So when they separation agreement, they work it out within a week. All right. So what does that mean though? You said that if they work it out by 12 noon, then they're going to work out the details what is acceptable to Mr. Evans and to the city. So the does the public get an opportunity to see what that looks like? That that is not how this process works. Of course it is. The public has the right to know what's happening. They they going to know once it's done. I mean this is so madam chair um I'm sorry go ahead sir. So I I would suggest commissioner that after they work out their agreement the agreement is brought back to the city council.

It would have to be next city council meeting. They can't unilaterally approve it. I mean they're just the deal and bring back madam chair. So clarification, when would the end date be with all of this that we're talking about the 12 noon? You know, you get a you get an agreement. Is is the manager still managing up until 12 noon or is he is he is he managing until the next meeting or what is No, no, it it ends at 12:00 noon and and

so he's going to be in that position at 12:00 noon on Friday. This is the next thing that we have to decide tonight, y'all. Oh, no. We can't do all that tonight, sir. That we we have g we have gave no notice to anyone about this. We I mean, you you said that we're going to let the contract fine. Fine. However y'all want to handle it, how I'm just saying that we we you had a motion to extend the cont I mean, not extend the contract, but let the contract end on July 13th. No, no, no. That is bad practice. Is somebody know there? No, you that was a motion that was made and seconded and it passed. I had an intention of putting another motion on the floor,

right? And a motion that you're putting on the floor now is saying that you're going to um No, no, you're making a motion that you're going to end the contract on 12:00 noon on Monday on Friday, a separation agreement. But at the time we're asking you, what does that mean? Do we put somebody in place? Yes. I said we can do it tonight. That's not going to take long. That's not going to be I don't know. But sir, that's that's too much without without the public's input. That is whatever you want to do. Whatever you want to do. I'm making suggestions. I'm trying to delay the process. I know it's not about delay, sir. Listen. We're talking about money here.

Ma madam chair. Hold on a second. Uh uh mayor, please. We're talking about money here. We're talking about I just want to make sure that when this all is said and done that the city is not going to be out of any money. I just want to make sure that that happens because you're talking buyouts and then you change it to separation. Then you said oh no we'll get somebody else in and we're saying who is that going to be? We don't that's too many ifs at 11:00 at night. All I'm saying is that we got a motion to motion. All of that is decided by the entire board. If y'all want me to make the decisions, I'll do that. Madam Chair. Um, listen, all I know is that there's a there's a motion on the floor. There was a motion on the floor and that motion passed that we would go to the end of the contract.

We would go to the end of the contract term, which is July 13, 2026 for the Mr. Evans being in his contract. Okay, Madam Chair, we got we got that straight. Now you're asking us to u have a separation agreement done by Friday at noon and we're saying at Friday at noon and this is what this is what commissioner paneer asked at Friday at noon what's going to happen then it's done are we going to have a meeting Friday afternoon to to go over it [laughter] needs to be some clarity and you're saying hold on hold on you're saying

I've repeated myself a million times we need an interim. We can do it now. Y'all said no. It's too late. We appoint an interim. It's not It's not big. Hold on a second. Hold on a second. Madam Chair, please have the audience not.

Yes. Audience, please audience, we we got to get this done. We we we've got to please give us some grace here because we're we're trying just like you are trying to comprehend this. So, please please please uh understand that we uh are as frustrated as you in terms of trying to get some handle on this and trying to make sure that this is the best thing right less money for the city. So, let us kind of work this out so that we can all be on the same page with this. So, we got a motion is done. The question from Miss Paneer was that she wanted to know what happens at midnight. I mean at noon on Friday. You said you would have somebody else to come in. We said who that were going to be. You said you gonna make a motion to bring that person in. We don't know who that is. That's a lot.

Madam Chair, if I may. Yes. Go ahead, sir. Um just to caution the board, this is a special meeting and you have to stay confined to the items that are on the agenda. So in the event that there is you know whatever the board decides you know as the manager I can make an appointment to somebody to serve in the acting role no different if I'm on vacation or sick and then the board can look to address that particular issue at your next regular meeting or when the board convenes. Uh that that's an option. Are

are we in agreement up here that we we we've got the issue of Mr. Davis's contract to the to July 13th and and that's that's that I think that with having this separation agreement that's going to be due on Friday that the next Wednesday is the first meeting so we can get that taken care of at the time. Okay, Madame Chair, I have a question. So, um Manager Evans, you spoke about not hiring anyone. Will you also put a pause on firing um anyone as well? If Madam Chair, if I may. Yes, go ahead. Uh Unless it's severe and pervasive, you know, we we wouldn't, you know, we wouldn't do it.

All right. Very good. We good? All right. Excellent. I mean, but what So, so you going to take your motion back so that we can come back on Wednesday and get this taken care of? If that that's the Yes. Yes. That's the majority. Madam Chair, he had the motion for us to be able to have the attorneys meet with the city manager's attorney and then come back the next Wednesday, the next council meeting and then we would vote on what they have come up with. So that motion has to be voted on so that we can have the attorney and Mr. Evans uh work out a separation agreement. That's what we said. Okay. All right. So that's a motion and that's your second right?

Yeah. Yes. Very good. Madam clerk, council person Davis Pier. Yes. Council person Gon. Yes. Chair Tim Miller Anderson. No. Council person Dr. Spiritis. Yes. Chairperson Laneir. No. Item passes with chair person. All right. And chairpro Tim Miller Anderson desenting. Uh let us go to our last item. Um madam chair just for just for clarity on that. So, do I come to work tomorrow? So, and until otherwise instructed. Okay. Yes. All right. Yes. Next item, Madam Clerk.

Madam Chair, on item 12B, discussion of the city council chairperson and chair prom reorganization. All right. Excellent. Let's uh Mr. Gen, that was an item that you also placed on. What did you want? Only thing I wanted to do was set a date to do that. If we can do it Wednesday, that'll be fine. uh at our next council meeting. Okay. So, what was the what was the backup that we were given on that? Cuz because I I'm I didn't have a chance to read it. I didn't I didn't submit any backup. I I just

The city clerk's office provided backup on research that we did uh board members. And the information on the last page is frequently asked questions, which basically says the chairperson and chairpro Tim serves at the will of the board. um whether or not you all want to change chairpersons. It also states that in the utility special district charter, you must change chairperson and vice chair annually. Okay, very good. So that would be the um is there a utility district meeting next Wednesday? It will be May 20th.

Okay, so then we can do the utility district at time. But let us uh Mr. Giden put this on the agenda. Let us bring that back for the uh next meeting. That'll be fine for discussion. Yeah, that was the last item. Very good. That is the last item. Any uh Mr. Evans, any remarks? Um Madam Chair, I'll save my remarks till later on. Thank you, Madam Chair. All right. Very good, Madam Attorney. No, thanks, Madam Chair. Commissioner um Spiritis.

Uh Madam Chair, I just like to bring to your attention that there was a breach of the city clerk's vault. uh and documents apparently disappeared. Uh there is no cameras in the area from what I understand and I think that we have to uh take this very serious. Uh this was a a serious breach uh of documents uh from the last election and other documents and I think that we have to uh make sure that the uh city clerk and the police department look into this and investigate this issue. Very good. Madam chair, if I may. Yes, go ahead.

Um, that particular uh matter was looked in from an HR and administrative perspective, but we'll we'll have a discussion with PD to to look at if because that was news to me that there's documents in fact missing. So, we'll look into that. Thank you, Commissioner Davis Reneer. Thank you. I'm good. Um, Mayor, thank you, M. Um, no. Um, I'm sorry, Commissioner G. Commissioner Miller Anderson, this meeting is adjourned.