Council - Regular Meeting

you

Thank you.

Councilwoman Shirley Lanier is present.

So with our invocation, what we did see this past weekend was a great honor by the city. and our city is being recognized on a national level. So as we take this moment of silence to recognize some of the individuals and leaders that have come from our community and all the individual leaders that serve this community, the residents, we thank you. We thank the Lord for giving us this opportunity and the blessings that we have and continue to guide and protect the city as we move forward.

I'll stand.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

OKAY, WE'RE DOWN TO THE APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA. DO WE HAVE ANY ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS FOR THE AGENDA? COUNCILWOMAN MILLER-ANDERSON.

YES, I'D LIKE TO ADD AN ITEM UNDER PRESENTATIONS, THE ALL-AMERICAN CITY AWARD.

Okay, that will be what will that be a lot of for what number.

But the chair and it will be item 6 be.

Are there any other additions that the list. That's true. Yes, Vice Chair Spiritis.

I'd like to add a discussion on summer recess for the council.

Under discussions, Madam Clerk, what number would you put that under?

Mr. Chair, that would be item 12E.

Mr. Chair?

Yes.

I couldn't hear. What did he say the title in this was?

You can repeat it. Yes.

our councilwoman miller anderson last year we had i believe it was a two-week uh recess during the summer and i'm just wondering whether we're going to do it again this year okay oh item that would be item 12 e 12 e yes sir and 12 f i would like to add the mayor's report okay

12 F you said.

Yes, 12 F. 12 C. 12 F. F like a drink. Are there any other additions or deletions to the agenda? If not, I entertain the motion to approve the agenda as amended. So moved. It's been moved by Vice Chair Spiritus and seconded by... Seconded. Councilwoman Davis-Panier, is there any discussion on the motion? Hearing no discussion, I'll call a question. Ms. Hall, ready for the question on approval and agenda? Yes, sir.

Councilperson Davis-Panier? Yes. Councilperson Lanier? Yes. Council person Miller Anderson.

Yes.

Chair Pro Tem Dr. Spiritus.

Yes.

Chairperson Guyton.

Yes.

That's the unanimous vote.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. Now we'll move to the consent agenda. All matters listed under this item are considered to be routine and action will be taken by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a council person so requests, in which event the item will be removed from the general order of business and considered in its normal sequence on the agenda. Does anyone... Do we have any consent? I don't see anything on my.

Mr. Chair, we do have one comment card on consent item three.

Item three.

Yes, sir.

We would take that comment card and then I entertain. Excuse me. Let me back up. I'm going to entertain the motion first to approve the consent agenda then we take a comment or entertain a motion to approve the agenda as from someone who has been moved by vice chair spirit.

This is a room. I don't 3. Was both of them.

Okay, who removed it when we were doing additions and deletions that anybody remove it.

Yeah.

yes uh it was removed because there was no necessity for a society's agreement understood i mean tonight okay yeah so they shouldn't even be on the agenda shouldn't even be on agenda right right okay so there is no consent agenda yes okay yes sure um yes um councilwoman miller anderson there is a concern i'm sorry yeah the minutes are on there i'm sorry yes Okay. The item that was printed should have been removed. It was overlooked. Apologies. But the only items under our consent agenda would be the minutes. There's a motion on the floor.

Second.

It's been seconded by Councilwoman Davis-Preneur. Is there any discussion on the motion? Hearing no discussion, Madam Clerk,

Councilperson Davis-Panier?

Yes.

Councilperson Lanier? Yes. Councilperson Miller-Anderson? Yes. Chair Pro Tem Dr. Spiridon?

Yes.

Chairperson Geisen?

Yes.

I see unanimous vote.

Okay, the next item on the agenda will be the awards and presentations. We're at six days, Madam Clerk.

YES, SIR. ITEM 6A IS COMMUNITY EXCELLENCE PROGRAM FOR THE CITY OF RIVERA BEACH.

OKAY. STAFF?

EXCUSE ME, CHAIR.

YES.

THAT'S OKAY. CANCEL.

OKAY. CONTINUE, PLEASE.

GOOD EVENING, HONORABLE MAYOR, CHAIR, AND BOARD MEMBERS. MY NAME IS TANYA McCRAE AND I SERVE AS THE CUSTOMER SERVICE AND QUALITY ASSURANCE MANAGER FOR THE CITY OF RIVERA BEACH. AND I WANTED TO INTRODUCE TO YOU DR. GEORGE CORNICHELLI WHO IS GOING TO PROVIDE AN OVERVIEW OF THE COMMUNITY EXCELLENCE PROGRAM. NEW SPEAKER OKAY.

THANK YOU.

NEW SPEAKER GOOD EVENING. THANK YOU. MR. CITY MANAGER, MR. MAYOR, AND THE COUNCIL. My name is Dr. George Cornicelli. I'm a resident of Riviera Beach with a 30-year history of working in quality.

Excuse me, Doc. Could you pull the mic closer to your mom?

Yes, sir.

Okay.

Is that better?

Yes.

Working internationally, I was in the Peace Corps as a young man. But I also headed up the British Standards Institute for North America, which included Canada and Mexico. Working for major corporations, I worked for Allied Signal, DynCorp, MITRE, and the government itself. My last quality job before I retired was building the wall. What I want to talk to you about tonight, and I'll talk quickly because I have a limited amount of time, is something called the Core Framework. It's a part of the Baldrige Award. The Baldrige is America's highest award given to an organization that achieves all the criteria

Excuse me, excuse me. Could y'all keep it down in the audience, please?

And it is given in the Oval Office by the President of the United States. It is America's highest QALY award written into law. QALY is more than a profession for me. It has become a passion. And that's why when my wife and I moved Virginia to Riviera Beach four years ago, I started to think hard about how I might apply these skills and experience I had to our city. I came to know the core framework a few years ago. It's been around for 10 years, but it's just now become an official part of the Baldrige Awards. It stands for Communities of Resilience and Excellence. This is a framework that has been endorsed by the federal government and is deployed today in 28 cities throughout the United States. Three are here in Florida, Coral Gables, Coral Springs, and West Kendall. CORE is not just a one-time program or a one-time initiative. It is a step-by-step guide to decision-making, continual quality improvement and long-term sustainability. It integrates leadership with the voices of customers, residents and stakeholders and the community by improving internal department operations leadership practices and the city's external engagement with residents and partners. The framework encourages a shift from isolated efforts to a more connected approach. Once resilience service delivery, organizational excellence and leadership development are treated as part of a single strategy, The city is better positioned to respond to challenges and improve everyday outcomes for residents. The framework is built on four pillars. I won't go into them in detail because of time. One is community engagement and inclusion. It focuses on trust for the residents two-way communication outreach and ensuring city decisions reflect the community's needs and voices. Two, organizational excellence, strong internal operations, clear accountability, efficient processes and performance standards. A service culture supported by high quality results across departments. All of this must be measured with fact and data. One more point. Baldrige would not even accept to see us until we provide three years of data in all of our areas. but that's okay because we're getting better each one of those years and we need that data to prove it. Four is empowerment and leadership focus on developing leaders at every level, supporting staff, strengthening decision-making, building a workforce that is confident, accountable and equipped to perform. The framework requires clear, transparent measures for such areas as resident satisfaction scores, emergency response times, service delivery scores. We believe that to make CORA actionable, the framework should be implemented in phases. There are four. One is assessment. It calls for the city to evaluate its current system strengths and gaps, opportunities across departments and community engagement processes, resilience planning, and workforce support. Phase two, planning and alignment. In this phase, leadership establishes priorities, defines roles, identifies target outcomes, and aligns departments around a shared direction. Phase three, this is where the framework begins to take shape in practice through training, policy alignment, process improvements, community engagement, and cross departmental coordination. Phase four, evaluation and continual improvement. Once CORE is in motion, the city can review performance data Resonant feedback, operational results to adjust and strengthen the model over time. The roadmap is important because it turns the framework from a concept into operational strategy. I believe that the key question tonight brought for you, our council members, the Riviera Beach government and our citizens is why would we implement CORE in Riviera Beach and why now? One, there is the coming issue of finance and possible impending crisis due to the lack of funds and a lack of tax dollars and other issues. Two, the key indicators for our city are considerably less good than many cities that are surrounding us. And we need to look at each one of those. I count about eight that are key. and decide how will we change this number with quality. One that shook me was, and this is two years old data, that the average life expectancy for people in Riviera Beach was 69. That's scary. And it should not be. now to those who say we can't afford this stuff now our answer is you cannot afford not to do this now there is such a thing called the cost of poor quality it's a real thing for a city the size of riviera beach cost poor quality is 10 to 15 percent if you have a 200 million dollar budget And the cost of poor quality is 10%. That means you're throwing $20 million down the drain. With a good quality resilience program, we can wipe that cost of poor quality out and get it to be less than 5%. That's why Crosby, a famous quality guru, said, quality is free. because the investment is paid back for every one dollar you get three. To those who say, how will the public benefit from this? We say the framework's only aim is to ensure better life services for our people. That's it. And to those who ask where and when do we begin? We say we begin at the beginning with the assessment phase. leadership alignment and agreement on measurable priorities in closing i want to leave you tonight with this thought experiment pretend for a moment if you will that our city is one single person and this city person were to say to us if i am not for myself who will be for me and If I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when? That quote comes from Rabbi Hillel, who died in 10 CE. He was a scholar of the Talmud and the Torah. This effort of our community excellence journey and my man, mine is similar to Rabbi's three-part story the party of you, the party of us, and the party of now. If I were to lead the Riviera Beach New Quality Office, which I'm not, I would not allow Riviera Beach not to do this. I would say not on my watch, do it or get someone else. But then I would plead, come on, we're in charge. It's our turn at that. Let's win this thing. Come on, let's make every person in this room and every resident of Riviera Beach proud of our city and make our city a city of choice.

Thank you. Okay, the next item on the agenda is going to be Councilwoman Miller-Anderson. And let me just say that there were a lot of people who participated in helping the city to receive that recognition event in All-American City But I know that Councilwoman Miller-Anderson was out front for a long time pushing that up here. And I'd like to give her her congratulations early. I know a lot of people. But I know that a lot of people participated to help make it happen. But I know she'd been out front a long time. The floor is yours, Councilwoman Miller-Anderson.

Thank you, Chair. Mr. Mayor, did you, is Ms. Akira going to start us off with just kind of, we want to give an overview. I think there's a little confusion as to what this program is all about. So we figured that we would kind of give you an explanation as to, and this is for the public, you know, to just to understand what this All-American City Award is all about. It's not saying that the city is perfect, but it does give a lot of, it, It gives you credit for the good stuff that we have going on.

And I think it's important to explain what this All-American City Award is all about.

And then we'll go a little bit into just telling you what are some of the things that the judges thought we were doing right and which is why we got to be a finalist. Mr. Mayor, are you going to do the overview?

I thought we discussed Ms. Hester doing the overview. She's here.

I don't see her. I'm sorry? I don't see her.

Yeah, we can grab her.

Okay. Okay. But while we're waiting, I do want to thank those of you that participated that came today. I know, unfortunately, we learned something new about Denver is that you may come back home sick. And when you're up there, you may feel like you're about to fall and you can't breathe. So we had somebody that dealt with all three of those issues. So some of the people are not here because they are sick. But I want to welcome up Ms. Kiara Hester. She has been helping out so much with the youth council and to get us to Denver. So Ms. Hester, can you just give the little brief overview? Do you have your phone with you or your notes with you?

I know I like the back of my hand.

Go right ahead, ma'am.

Yes, ma'am. So catch my breath. Good evening, everyone. My name is Kiara Hester. And just a brief overview of our trip to the All-America City competition.

One, it was truly amazing. No, we're just going to give an overview of what the All-American City Award is about. What's the information about what the program is about.

Okay, so the All-America City Award is the highest award that a city can receive issued on behalf of the National Civic League. It does not mean that your city is perfect, but it does mean that your city has some programs that stand out, the inclusivity of your community, as well as it's like a list of things that they look for. but it's just one of the highest awards that your city can receive from the national civic league based on your programs your community engagement and things of that nature thank you so much um mayor did you want to add anything to that or we're going to move right on absolutely um we do want to go ahead and keep the presentation brief but profound

We will be doing celebrations to the community to further expand upon what All-American City, but we're going to give a brief overview, showcase this trip. But the narrative that was painted that this is just a pretty award, there's only two cities in Palm Beach County that actually have this award. Delray Beach, which was last awarded back in 2017, and now Riviera Beach in Palm Beach County. So this is a major award. And just to give you some substance behind that, Delray Beach sparked and spurred some development, growth and revitalization where they actually were able to use this national award that they received back in 1993 for the first time. to continue to catapult that city. And as you see, Delray Beach went through major overhaul when it came to slum blight support investments into their community. This award has given this city the national spotlight that it truly recognizes because not just of the growth and development, but the people, the investment into the people with the programming, the support of revitalizing our communities, our youth, They recognize on a national level that Riviera Beach is actually doing the right thing for a local community and one of only 10 communities in the entire country that were recognized. So just to kind of paint that narrative for our community that's watching at home and for our residents, that this award is recognition for the hard work that you as residents, our shareholders, our community partners, the city, the staff, and these elected officials are currently doing. So I want to make sure that the city understands that we are recognized nationally now as Riviera Beach, an all-American city. And that's what we will be called for moving forward, the all-American city. Because once an all-American city, forever all-American city. So thank you, Ms. Millerson.

And if I could add, the National Civic League has been doing this for 77 years, and we're the fourth city to ever receive the designation in the state of Florida. So the cities that have received it is Tallahassee, Florida, Delray Beach, Port St. Lucie, and now Riviera Beach.

And to just add to that, as I go into the strengths of some of our programs, we are the only ones that won for the state of Florida. There were two, as we mentioned before, Opa-locka and Riviera Beach. And so Riviera Beach is the only city in the state that did achieve this. When we did the application, it was about, you had to explain three programs. The three programs that we chose were the Youth Council, the Citizen Leadership Academy and the Neighborhood Reclaim and the CRA. But another section of the application talked about the civic infrastructure of our city. And some of the comments that they made based on our application was that they said that they highlighted a strong and clearly articulated culture of engagement with consistent involvement of residents, community organizations and partners across many initiatives and touch points. They also noted there was an emphasis on meeting residents where they are, whether that was through parks, libraries, faith-based institutions and community centers or neighborhood association or HOAs. One of the other things they said were we were strong with youth engagement and leadership development pipelines, which included mentorship, youth councils, and intergenerational collaboration. So that was just on our civic infrastructure. And a couple of the highlights they mentioned for the youth council was that they praised that They had a very strong platform for civic learning, leadership development, and youth engagement in public policy, as well as they thought we were doing a great job on the collaboration with state and local partners, as well as peer-to-peer engagement among the youth participants. For the Citizens Leadership Academy, they recognized that the Leadership Engagement Program had a solid effort to educate the residents and build understanding of local government processes. They also highlighted that we increased civic confidence and leadership among graduates with participants taking on advocacy and engagement roles in their communities. And then for the third program, the neighborhood reclaimed, they said they could tell there was a strong resident engagement throughout the redevelopment process with clear efforts to involve residents directly in planning and implementation, as well as they recognize that the program had a strong example of community driven revitalization with both physical and civic impacts. And so overall, they said that Riviera Beach has many strong and promising efforts underway, a rich culture and history that comes through, though the application would benefit from more detailed examples, data, and storytelling to fully illustrate impact and momentum. And you will know that that's where we came in with the competition part that we went through when we got to Denver. So with them mentioning that, we made sure with our skit that we had to perform, it included all of those things that they suggested. But they did say they were very impressed with the next steps that we had across all three initiatives, noting that there was a clear commitment to building on current efforts and deepening engagement over time. AND SO WITH THAT, YES.

I JUST WANTED TO ALSO ADD ON AND THERE WAS A NARRATIVE THAT THIS WAS JUST AN AWARD THAT WE WERE GOING TO RECEIVE. THIS TEAM, THE CITY HAD TO COMPETE against 20 other cities. So this was a competition where these individuals that traveled to Denver had to practice for the last few months, preparing and learning and being ready to actually present on a national stage and be judged on that by 20 different judges from all over the country of elected officials, community advocates, leaders, and compete for this award, not just be handed an award and competed against the 20 out of the 1700 applicants and come home as one of the prizes for All-American City.

And it was to expound on those three programs, Youth Council, Citizen Leadership Academy, and the Neighborhood Reclaim. So what we thought we would do, since we couldn't take everybody with us to Denver, we have a video that we're going to show you, which starts from the very beginning. Well, it's only four minutes, so don't get up tight. But it shows you a little bit from the beginning to the end. All right, Walter, you ready?

This is a beautiful city and you feel the warmth. This being in this room and we're all collaborating and working together, it's like amazing.

Let's give Mr. Albritton a round of applause. He's our travel sponsor. Mr. Albritton and the Bus One Company. We're going to call on someone else. How do we get people the information?

Well, in the library and in the city at large, I think people want to come to our events and we have a lot of people that come and ask us if they can partner with us.

Youth Council, how did you recruit for Youth Council?

Basically, we had to fill out an application to be recruited for the Youth Council. Okay, CRA, Mrs. Deer, how do you recruit?

We've had job fairs. We post on our website.

Having the city participate, the city HR help us with that, along with some of the job fairs, those are some of the ways that we have recruited in the past for the department.

I think it will be a great experience to learn more about my city and, um, know bring the um the award to the city my name is christopher thurston youth council i think it will be amazing if we win this award not only will it impact our city but it will also show that greatness comes from riviera beach the city has been amazing for me i started here at the library just going to different things cpr classes with the youth empowerment program and i really recommend

that every kid in riviera beach goes through this program and just finds a way and finds their voice because it's just important to have a community especially as youth you can get so many opportunities and so many different things so many doors you can get into just being youth and having a community and a support system that will always support you what i love about the city is all it has to offer is so many fun things you can go to you can go to the beach the parks are beautiful

the best part about riviera is the atmosphere and environment always amazes me how people don't think highly of us because i've always seen diamonds and you know just good things in the city man i've i've been home grown we have been the best city to live work and play and i'm proud to be a product of the city of riviera this program for the little ones i'm excited for the how the world works for them moving forward.

I've worked here for one year this month, and everybody has been so welcoming.

I'm looking forward to working with this, having this award.

This job is harder than nails.

Riviera!

Riviera! Riviera! Thank you, man, for a great city. And are you for number one? We be at beach, we came, we saw, we conquered.

We came to Denver, Colorado, we came before the applicants just trying to represent our beautiful city, but today we're leaving as champions.

We are here, we are winners! Y'all ready?

Vivienne Beach, we home!

And we brought it back! Out of over 1,600 applicants, Vivienne Beach came home as the top 10 recipient of All-American City. Thank you, guys. Thank you for trusting us to ask for represent our city. And we're going to celebrate. for our residents our community partners our leaders we put an application in to showcase this great city to continue to show that the city of riviera beach needs to be on a national stage and what we did is we showed the world what riviera beach is all about riviera beach we are an all-american city

Job well done.

And you feel the warmth of being in this room and we're all...

Okay, they have some further presentation.

So we do have a few of our participants here. Everyone wasn't able to come. Of course, we didn't know we were going to win. So we quickly asked for them to come. And that's why we had to add it onto the agenda. We had a lot of community partners that came with us. And one thing about this program, they didn't want all staff coming. They didn't want all residents coming. They wanted to see how the City of Riviera Beach works with their community partners, the faith-based community, the business community as well. And so we had a number of people that attended with us. I do want to give a shout out to some of our donors, some of our people who contributed. Of course, Mr. Allbritton with bus one. Come on up, Mr. Allbritton. Mr. Allbritton provided the bus service for us to go travel down to Miami Airport, as well as picked us up from Miami Airport to bring us back to Wales. So we just want to thank Mr. Allbritton for his assistance. And he went with us there, so he participated as well. Here you are, Mr. Allbritton. and i know a couple of them did want to speak so we're going to give them a couple seconds just to say something if you come up to get your certificate if you want to say something you can can i go okay some of them are not here as i said um miss india edwards i know that she's one of them that came home sick So I'll hurl hers to the side and her husband can get hers when he comes. O'Brien Edwards.

MAN, LOOK AT HIM.

FIRST OFF, I WANT TO THANK THE DIETS FOR ALLOWING THE RIVERAIR BEACH YOUTH COUNCIL TO BE COME A PART OF RIVERAIR BEACH LAST YEAR. THE WORK THAT HAS BEEN DONE BY THE RIVERAIR BEACH YOUTH COUNCIL HAS BEEN NOTHING SHORT OF AMAZING. SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE I START OFF WITH THAT AND GET INTO WHY I'M SAYING THAT. FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF A PARENT, A RESIDENT AND A LOCAL BUSINESS OWNER, THE PAST WEEKEND WAS VERY INSIGHTFUL. I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE MY DAUGHTER AND HER PEERS ALONG THE RIVERA BEACH YOUTH COUNCIL DEMONSTRATE UNIQUE SKILLS THAT WERE NURTURED AND DEVELOPED UNDER THE RIVERA BEACH YOUTH COUNCIL. THOSE SKILLS INCLUDE PUBLIC SPEAKING, It includes networking with other youth councils across the nation. And it also includes it also included finding solutions to community based problems that affect them. THEY HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH NOT ONLY OTHER YOUTH COUNCILS BUT WITH EXECUTIVES AND OTHER GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS THROUGHOUT THE NATION. AND THEY WERE VERY INSPIRING WHEN IT CAME TO THAT. SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE I GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO THE RIVERA BEACH YOUTH COUNCIL FOR THAT BECAUSE THEY WERE AMAZING. AS FAR AS A RESIDENT, I WAS VERY BLOWN AWAY BY THE LEADERSHIP I SAW on on a trip. This trip was not a vacation. I'm currently in my master's program. I have a I have a family and I HAVE A MILLION THINGS I NEED TO DO, BUT THIS TRIP RIGHT HERE FROM SUN UP TO SUN DOWN, WE WORKED TIRELESSLY UP UNTIL WE GOT THE AWARD AND UNTIL WE CAME BACK. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I JUST SAY THANK YOU TO MRS. ANDERSON, MAYOR LAWSON FOR INVITING US ON THIS TRIP, AND I REALLY APPRECIATE IT. IT WAS ABSOLUTELY INSPIRING. THANK YOU.

Mr. Xavier McLarty.

So as a business owner and as a parent, this trip was what Mr. Albrighton said, nothing but not from a vacation. It was hard work from the students and the youth engaging, grabbing the attention of the leadership from other municipalities across the nation and intriguing them to where they became the center and the conversation piece in Denver was amazing for me as a father. the leadership, man. She didn't take any pity on the parents either. We had to work and we came to support. So that's exactly what we did from the time we left until the time we returned. And receiving that reward was just the cherry on top of the cake for all of us just to watch our kids go out and do the thing and represent home well was well worth everything that you guys put into it. For the diocese, thank you guys. Ms. Miller-Anderson, Kiara, Mayor Lawson, thank you for your tireless work with our children because they are the future.

We also had the school board member, Edwin Ferguson, that came along with us.

Good evening, everyone. Chairperson and other board members, we had a great time out in Denver. I think I was the first person that came down with a book, so I pulled myself off my deathbed to come here because it was just that important to me. I want to speak to you all and let you all know why I think the city of Riviera Beach won. I think, because I review, I watch the majority of the presentations out in Denver. I think we won, honestly, because of the intense focus on the youth. that was something that most cities just couldn't touch us in that regard. So I want to thank you all for the Youth Council. I thought I heard you say just a few minutes ago that that's kind of a recent occurrence here in terms of last year, but I think it kind of follows along that same trajectory that we've seen in terms of the focus on River Beach over at least the last four years in terms of, like I said, when I first became your school board member, Riviera Beach will no longer be seen as a joke or a punch line. We're to be taken seriously in this city. And I think the city's focus on the youth, which several of them are here today, is the sole reason why we were one of the 10 actual all-American cities. And as Mayor Lawson said, there are actually between 1,600 and 1,700 persons or municipalities that applied. And of that 1,700, 20 were invited to compete for the overall award in Denver. So this was not just a participation award. And between Javon, Councilwoman Miller-Anderson, yeah, we have some taskmasters out there. Now, I want to take a little moment of levity, though. So unlike me, Councilwoman Anderson is not a person that will cry. If the emotions get to her, she's very stoic. But when we won, and I say we because I had a small hand in it, but when you're out there, it's definitely a team, whether you're on the scout team, whether you're the field goal kick or whatever, you're part of the team. She was crying some big old just alligator tears. I said, who done snatched this woman's body? But she really did. She really was, as best I could tell, like, the straw that stirred the drink. Ms. Hester, Ms. Nugent, Mr. Sear, Mr. Stewart as well did an amazing job representing you as River Beach residents out in Denver. It clearly was not a vacation. It was all about business. And I think moving forward, I think this is going to be a huge springboard. Again, my focus for even going out there was to edify and support these youth. I think they were able to expand their voice. I think that this youth council is, I think in the next three to four years is going to become actual leadership academy because the work that we've been doing at the school district level, at the city level as well, I think it's gonna be much more than anybody has ever envisioned. And I think it started by running, by applying for this AAC competition. So I thank you all, Councilwoman Miller-Anderson for your foresight, Ms. Hester for your commitment and foresight as well. I actually expect if the city wants it to be so, that the city will be a multiple winner in the next five years, because you just have that level of talent here. If you keep the focus on the youth, it's gonna be hard for anyone objectively to say that Riviera Beach is not and does not continue to be an all-American city. So thank you all for what you've done. The best is yet to come. Thank you.

Our housing authority commissioner is also here. played an important role and one of our amazing leaders. Honorable Joseph Anderson, come on up here.

Well, I'm going to be short and sweet. I, first of all, want to give a congratulations to each and every one that attended the trip and all the people and staff behind the scenes. But can we get a round of applause to our youth? They were very, very outstanding from all the breakout sessions. And I must say, even though you will hear time and time from the moment we got on the bus to the moment we returned, our task manager didn't allow us to do anything but work. So when I tell you I am tired, but first and foremost, thank you for allowing me to serve. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you.

And the speakers who are following, follow Mr. Anderson Lee. Very short, sweet. Okay. All Americans, understood.

We were just trying to sort through them because some are not here and we didn't want to just keep calling off names of people who aren't here. So our next person that went along with us is one of our community partners, Ms. Jamie Lee Bradshaw.

GOOD EVENING, MAYORS, COUNCIL MEMBERS, AND CITY LEADERSHIP. ON BEHALF OF COMMUNITY PARTNERS OF SOUTH FLORIDA, I WANT TO SINCERELY THANK THE CITY OF RIVERA BEACH FOR INCLUDING US IN THIS JOURNEY AND SHINING A LIGHT ON THE MANY PROMISING CIVIC PROGRAMS YOU HEARD ABOUT. I'M GOING TO SKIP THROUGH A LOT BECAUSE WE'VE ALREADY SAID IT. SO THIS ACHIEVEMENT IS ESPECIALLY MEANINGFUL BECAUSE OF THE HIGHLY COMPETITIVE PROCESS YOU HEARD. To see Riviera Beach among the winning communities is a testament to the hard work, collaboration, and commitment of everyone involved, from elected officials to city staff, the residents, youth, local nonprofit partners, and our private sector. So we are honored as a partner TO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THIS EFFORT AND PROUD THAT TOGETHER THE WIN CAME BACK TO RIVERA BEACH. SO AGAIN, CONGRATULATIONS. SPECIAL THANK YOU TO COUNCIL MEMBER MILLER-ANDERSON, MAYOR LOSS, AND MS. HESTER AND DR. STARLING FOR MAKING ME FEEL VERY WELCOME IN THE PROCESS.

The next person that came was a little bit of a surprise, but we're so happy she came, and she was able to take part as well, even though she hadn't put in the hard work that we did, but she jumped in on the tail end when it was all good, and here she is, Ms. Councilwoman Priscilla Davis-Senor. And she can tell you, we did not play.

A couple minutes.

Absolutely.

Very short.

Fortunately, some activities got changed for me last weekend, and I was able, with the help of Councilwoman Kashamba Miller-Anderson, to get there. And when I tell you I don't regret the quick turnaround and being there, I would hate to have just heard about it. I was able to witness the hard work of my colleague, Ms. Hester, Dr. Hayes, And then all of the community that just came together, it gave us a moment to just be proud of our city, to love on each other, to support each other, to have fun, but to also do work. As she said, it was a working trip. I mean, nonstop sessions and rehearsals, sessions and rehearsals. But I keep telling people what I saw. was an experience for our residents, for our sponsors, for our nonprofits, and especially for our youth just to enjoy an experience, have exposure to be able to represent the city in which they live, work, and play. So I want to say on behalf of the council, that we are super proud of you all. We are glad of you representing us in the way that you did. And again, Councilwoman Miller-Anderson, congratulations on this. Riviera Beach, we rock. We are all America City, and I love Riviera Beach. Love y'all. Shout out to our youth. They wanted to take our youth, y'all. If they could take our youth, they would, because listen, they were spectacular.

So this next person, I actually didn't think he was going to be here because he was supposed to be traveling. But I do have to acknowledge my right hand that supported us through this whole mission and made sure that he kept everything in order, kept us sane and really supported the entire event. And the mayor's office is Miller Anderson. Mr. Eric Range, who is celebrating his birthday. Come on up. took away from his birthday to make sure he was here in the building because of how important this city is to him and how important this organization.

Thank you all. As somebody who's only been a resident of Riviera Beach for just over a year, I'm proud to call this city home. I'm proud to have traveled with each and every one of you to bring this award back to Riviera Beach. Who you with?

All right, we're going to get moving really quick here. Give us about five more minutes. We'll be done. The next person is Mr. Gregory Dillard. He is the one that's responsible for all of those wonderful videos that you all were seeing. And I can only, I don't know how people do it with cameras in their face all the time, but I mean, he was like right in your face and you're trying to do something and he's right there.

Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Council. This is a great opportunity to travel with the city. I'll make it very short to reiterate what some of them said. It's all about the youth. I had a chance to see a lot of the youth go through this rehearsal, and at times it's a little challenging for me to observe and see how they're going to pull this off. It's like when the lights went off and the lights came on, they showed up and they showed out. So kudos to you, and you're going to be doing great things. Thanks a lot.

Next, we have one of our own workers, Ms. Jamie Constantino. You know, I just messed up. Dino. I don't have my glasses on either, so. Constantino. It would have been probably easier to have the glasses on. Next we have Ms. Marvalyn Caballero. Come on up, please.

I would be remiss if I didn't say something. I'm a parent of two of the youth council members. They're identical twins. And that was one of my fun facts that I share with one of the breakout sessions. But what I can say is that seeing our children only showcased what I knew the youth of Riviera Beach could provide and showcase to the world. I'm homegrown. And they just made us so proud, their ability to speak clearly, articulate everything that's going on in the city and what the future of the city is as it pertains to the youth and what they observed from the other cities. It was remarkable. Thank you for allowing me to attend.

Next, we have another one of our workers, Mr. Sammy Brown from the Legislative Office. all right we had some people there that were there to keep us safe and we have miss oh you know i gotta read you this where is she over here officer therese phillips Next we had one of our CRA staff members who was our hype man. And he was also a part-time director when we didn't have Mr. Javon there to help us out at the beginning. So he stepped right on in there and took it over. Mr. Jamel Stewart.

Just real quick, in regards to the award, I don't know me being so shy. They wanted me to be the hype man. But I think when it comes to winning an award or championship, things usually stop. But with this award is a catalyst for something else. So it's not about just taking a plaque and putting it on a wall. It's all about now. What are we going to do with that award? How are we going to use it for a catalyst for change? How are we going to use it for a catalyst to buy home buyers? How are we going to use it for a catalyst to buy future? I mean, potential businesses to come into the city. So we have to as a city, as a CRA, we really have to be mindful about the marketing efforts that come after this award. So that's what it's really about. So and I know that it's not over. So the group from the Civic League will be reaching out to to staff to put together a plan for ongoing marketing efforts. That's really going to be it can be mind blowing depending on how we want to invest into it. Yes, we spent money, but I look at it as an investment opportunity. So our ROI depends on what we put into it right now. Thank you.

We have one of our youth council members, Ms. Zia McClarty. Another one of our youth council members, Ms. Reese Caballero.

Who was also interning with the city this year, and she's working in the mayor's office and other departments.

Another one of our youth council members we have here is Zion Giampi. Another youth council member, Ms. Genesis Salmon. Another youth council member, Ms. Reyna Caballero. And we had an extra youth here with us this summer. So we made sure that Shaquille Brown was able to participate being that he was a resident here at the city of Riviera Beach. We had the pleasure of having our CRA Executive Director come and help us out a little bit. And he is Jadil Merzius.

Can you come, sir?

AND WE HAD A TEAM, NOT A TEAM, WE HAD A COUPLE PEOPLE THERE THAT WERE HELPING US WITH THE COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT, AND THAT WOULD BE MS. WATNEY JULIAN.

So there were a couple of the partners that partnered with us. Boardery was one of the. Boardery was one of the partners, Aaron and Julie, from a business, local business, actually employs over 150 residents here right on 13th and Broadway. They came, they actually sponsored 150 security boards that were shipped out to the actual event. And they did that as just a commitment to our community and continue to hire residents. So I just want to give them a special shout out. And last but not least, our director, our local hometown hero. I wanted to bring him up last because he was somebody that kind of put together the entire script that really showcased the city. And I knew that he wrote the script based upon his love and passion and commitment to the city. So if everybody can give it up for my brother, the director, actor, Javon White. Two-time award-winning actor, Javon White.

hello everyone thank you so much um for including me I think um being in a in a place to be able to create is one of the closest thing we could do to the most highest of create you know that's our service here you know to the Creator and to be included in a vision of our mayor, our council, and our residents, I count it an honor and a blessing to be able to share in the vision of what you see for our city and to trust me in the space, trust me with the talent that we had here. We had a good amount of people and they came through and they did their thing and they showed up and they showed out. So thank you so much.

So unfortunately, the rest of the people that we have here are not here today, but I did want to acknowledge them. We have Ms. Minoka Nugent from the CRA. We have our youth council member, Liana Garcia. And then, of course, we had our chief of police, Chief Michael Coleman. And I'm sorry, we also had Ms. Shirley Desir from the CRA department and Elijah Duberson and Christopher Thurston, two of our youth council members.

Thank you. Thank you very much. Mayor.

30 seconds, Mr. Chair. Remember, we've got a short agenda, so we're going to be done. That's why I said this was probably the best time to do it. 30 seconds. These are the last two. How often do I get up here and do this? It's not very often. And Dr. Botel, I'm sorry, Dr. Botel also attended as well.

You ready, Mr. Mayor? All right, come on.

The last two individuals that truly gave a commitment, heart, passion, and soul to this event, who also is celebrating a birthday this week, and was supportive of making sure they organized and provided the application documentation and support is presented to Dr. Latrondra Starling in sincere appreciation outstanding leadership. Commitment and unwavering dedication to the residents of Riviera Beach for vision collaboration and tireless work were instrumental in helping the city of Riviera Beach achieve this prestigious All-American City designation. Thank you for always showing up, lifting to others in Riviera Beach. Together we build, together we succeed. Mayor Lawson and District Woman Keshava Miller-Henderson. And everybody, please, I need y'all to give it up for Ms. Kiara Hester. way this young lady fights for the city her passion and commitment truly stands strong in our city and in sincere appreciation for her hard work commitment unwavering dedication to the community her passion and leadership played a vital role in helping the city of riviera beach achieve the all-american city designation thank you for your key part of this historic achievement and for making riviera beach a city we can all be proud presented by miss miller anderson mayor lawson

And that's the end of it, Mr. Chair. But you can go ahead and get going.

But we want to get everybody to come up with the award and take a picture up here.

But you can keep going if you like.

I don't want to hold you up. Come on, everybody, quickly, please, before he kicked me out of the office, out of the building.

Where is it at?

You got it?

Keep on the picture.

uh... uh... uh... uh...

Yeah, right.

Hello.

Okay, again, congratulations. A very huge accomplishment representing the city, greatly appreciate it. And definitely this is just the beginning of many more to come. Moving on with the agenda now, we're on 9A.

Mr. Chair, item 9A, ordinance number 4316, an ordinance of the City Council of the City of Riviera Beach, Florida, granting to Florida Public Utilities Company, its assessors and assigns a non-exclusive franchise for a period of 30 years to sell, distribute, transport, and transmit natural, manufactured, or mixed gas in the City of Riviera Beach, Florida. prescribing the terms and conditions under which said franchise may be exercised, making findings, providing severability, providing an effective date upon final passage, and repealing prior ordinance. Mr. Chair, there are no comment cards on this item. The acceptance of cards is closed.

I entertain a motion to approve. So moved. It's been moved by Vice Chair Spiritus.

Second.

seconded by councilwoman davis preneur on discussion we'll have staff report good evening chairperson councilman this item is an ordinance renewing a franchise agreement with the flood of public utilities it's giving them access to the cities right away so they can utilize it to provide services to residents and businesses they've had this agreement before it's expired and this is a renewal of that same agreement Okay, thank you.

Do any of my colleagues have any questions or comments on this item? If not, I'll call the question. Madam Clerk.

Councilperson Davis-Vanier? Yes. Councilperson Lanier? Yes. Councilperson Miller-Anderson? Yes. Chairperson Spiritus? Yes. Chairperson Guyton?

Yes.

That item passes with Councilperson Miller-Anderson out.

Okay, the next item is 11A, is that correct?

Yes, Mr. Chair, we are on item 11A, resolution number 78-26, a resolution of the City Council of the City of Riviera Beach, Palm Beach County, Florida, enacting and adopting the direct pay policy for local subcontractors on non-construction service contracts, establishing policy PR-320, authorizing the procurement director to implement said policy and providing an effective date. Mr. Chair, there are no comment cards on this item. The acceptance of cards is closed.

I entertain a motion to approve this item. So moved. Then moved by Vice Chair Spiridonis. Seconded by Councilwoman Davis-Preneur. Is there any discussion on the motion? We'll go to staff.

Good evening, I'm Tanya Ammons, Director of Procurement for the City of Riviera Beach. I present to you the proposed direct pay policy to local subcontractors for non-construction service contracts. This particular policy will allow a quicker payment of services to subcontractors with the approval of the prime and in a contract between the prime, the city, and the sub. So this will allow us to further aid our small businesses in them getting paid a little quicker.

Thank you. Are there any questions from the dyads?

Yes, Chair.

Vice Chair Spiritis.

Yes, Director Amos, I just want to thank you for bringing this back to us in such a short period of time. I read through it. It's an excellent story.

document and thank you for everything that you're doing really appreciate it thank you thank you this is going to really help the local contractor the river beach contractor thank you thank you are there any further comments question yes thank you so with regards to the prime and the city they will pay the city back is there a time frame that they're required to reimburse the city for the payment

If I understand your question, ma'am, there will be no need for repayment. Ideally, if the prime is awarded a contract, $100,000, and the sub and the prime is going to contract with the sub for 10, then we will reduce in the system the contract to $90,000, and that $10,000 will go to the sub.

Understood.

Thanks for clarification.

Any further questions or comments? Hearing none, Madam Clerk.

Councilperson Davis-Panier. Yes. Councilperson Lanier. Councilperson Miller-Anderson.

Yes.

Chair Pro Tem, Dr. Spiritus.

Yes.

Chairperson Guyton.

Yes.

The item passes with Councilperson Lanier out.

Okay, the next item is 12A. I put this item on the agenda because we had

Mr. Chair, did I come in on the wrong one? 11A or 12A?

You came in on 12A.

I came in on what?

12A.

Which one I just voted on?

You just voted on 11A.

I thought, oh God, I thought I heard, I was in the back listening, but I thought it was 9A. So my answer is no. Where are we? For 11A, it's no.

We're on 12A.

Okay.

Okay, now she's saying on her previous vote when she walked in on 11A.

I thought that was 9A when I was in the back.

So the record will reflect in the vote for Milla Anderson? So noted.

Okay. Okay, 12A. Discussion of the appointment of the city manager, William E. Wilkins.

Mr. Chair, we do have public comment cards on this item. The acceptance of cards is closed.

Okay. Okay. Just an overview. As most know, Mr. Wilkins was brought on at the interim. And at the interim, there is a 100-day limit on how long he could serve. We're going into our budget sessions. The process is very delicate. And I asked staff to allow me to come back to the council to have a discussion about how we wanna move with respect to the city manager and going out right now at a time when we're about to go into our budget process. And do we want someone here who BEEN HERE, HAD THE EXPERIENCE, VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE, LIKE MR. WILKINS, OR BRING SOMEBODY IN NEW DURING OUR BUDGET PROCESS, DO WE WANT TO WAIT UNTIL AFTER THAT BUDGET PROCESS OR EVEN LONGER? SO WITH THAT OVERVIEW, THE PUBLIC COMMENT.

CAN THEY TELL ME WHAT IS THE DATE OF THE 120 DAYS?

I believe it's September 4th.

September 4th. And when is our new budget goes into effect? When? When do we do that? What's the last date of when we do the last voting for it? What date would that be?

We don't understand the question.

What date would it be where we have to adopt our budget?

Oh, that would be September 31st.

The actual meeting. I'm talking about the last meeting. Oh, the actual meeting. Yeah. What is it like this?

Mr. Sherman, can you answer that?

Oh, he's not down there.

Oh, he's not?

Okay, so September 4th is the 120 days. Then just for this argument's sake, September 30th. So are we able to provide a few months? I mean, if that's what you're trying to accomplish is make sure that we have Mr. Wilkins here to go through the budget process, which would technically be over around September 30th. His 120 days is over on the 4th. I WOULD NOT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH GOING BEYOND THE SEPTEMBER FOURTH, DOING A TWO-MONTH CONTRACT BECAUSE AT THE SAME TIME WE SHOULD HAVE OUR NATIONAL SEARCH GOING. AND I GUESS ONCE WE GET THERE, WOULDN'T IT HAVE BEEN APPROPRIATE TO KIND OF GET A LITTLE UPDATE ON THAT FIRST BEFORE WE KIND OF HAD THIS CONVERSATION? BECAUSE I THINK IT WOULD HELP. to have that information from the HR.

Okay, it's up to the council. Yeah, we can have that discussion. The other thing that I considered was Mr. Wilkins is now going through issues that are going to require some recommendations from him. And I think that it should be a timeframe that allows him to follow through on whatever recommendations that he may give us to deal with the challenges that he has discovered since he's been here. So that's why we're having this discussion to determine what would be a reasonable timeframe. It's not often that A municipality has someone with over 30 years of experience, respected in the community, live in the community and love the community. This is an opportunity that I don't think come often. And quite honestly, I want to milk it for as much as I can get. I'm thinking more about a minimum of a year up to a year. If you want to leave before then that'd be his choice. but I would like to negotiate a contract up to a year. He doesn't have to stay that long, but if he so chooses, I would definitely welcome this type of knowledge and experience in our city.

So, Mr. Chair? Yes. Yeah, I don't agree with, I don't support that. I guess that should be a better word.

That's why we're having a discussion.

Right. Although, I mean, we know there's been challenges, you know, for years here and when we decided to go in another direction, we knew that someone new who was new to coming into this arena at this stage. I know Mr. Wilkins has quite a bit of experience from many, many years ago. And I've had a conversation with Mr. Wilkins. And one of the things that I did share with him was that There has been almost no communication in any updates in terms of projects. I told them, you know, sure, it's good to pick up a phone and call people, but it's not realistic to constantly picking up a phone and giving all six of us an update every time something happens or we need to know something. COMMUNICATION HAS CERTAINLY BEEN AN ISSUE. IT'S BEEN LACKING FOR LACK OF A BETTER WORD. AND I COULD CERTAINLY SAY IT MAY BE DUE TO THE TECHNOLOGY. I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS BUT I KNOW THAT I HAVE ALMOST HEARD NOTHING. I DO HAVE A CONCERN AS WELL WITH BRINGING BACK THE UTILITY DISTRICT DIRECTOR. when there were still questions as to what transpired with that situation. I have a lot of respect for Mr. Wilkins, but what I am seeing is that there's a lot going on. He's been out of the field for many, many years. Technology has come on board and it doesn't seem that that's something that has been in the forefront of him. And so it's kind of hindered him in that area. That doesn't take away from his knowledge, at all, and I'm not trying to do that. But I do feel we need to have someone who is able to do all of those things, to be present, to be able to share information. I haven't received very much of any information. And I just feel like it's kind of like a step back in terms of innovation or being innovative. I feel that we truly need to look for Another person. Now, like I said, I don't have a problem with a few months. if you want to say the budget is the concern. But I don't, I feel like we're going backwards with a lot of the stuff that we have put into place. We've worked very hard to get a lot of this stuff in position and to place moving forward. And now we're kind of like at a standstill. And I'm just concerned because of the fact that the information is not flowing. It is stopping. I'm also concerned too that Mr. Wilkins has allowed one or two board members to kind of direct them. And we know that is not what's supposed to happen, but that's what I'm seeing. And that's what I have experienced. That may not be everyone's experience, but that has been my experience. And I've talked to Mr. Wilkins about that. One thing about it, I feel like whoever it is as a city manager, You need to make sure everybody gets the same information. You need to make sure that you provide updates. You need to make sure that you are keeping everyone abreast of what's going on. I can't say that's been happening. So I couldn't support more than three months past the 120 days. Thank you.

Thank you for your comments. Sure. Vice Chair Spiritish.

I would like to first respond to my colleague, clearly there's a, clearly you're stating that one of the board members is directing our city manager. That's quite remarkable considering your past with the former city manager. But regardless, I think we're very lucky. Please, I'm speaking now. Your time is up. Wait, wait, wait.

Mr. Chair, I just want to hear what he said. Please, please, please. I can hear. Oh, you can hear? No, I just want to say.

I'm going to repeat it.

Okay.

Okay. Don't talk over each other, okay.

So I'm very happy with the new city manager. I disagree with my colleague that we're going backwards, quite the opposite. Two of the things that I've been trying to get done for the last two years have now happened. So clearly we're moving in the right direction. And I would like to make a motion that we keep the city manager, we give the city manager a one year agreement subject to the city council finding a new city manager.

I second it, but I know we have comment cards. And on discussion, we can hear the comments from the public.

When do we ask questions at the board?

You can do it now. This is the discussion. There's a motion on the floor. We're in the discussion phase of it.

Okay, you went straight there, so I didn't know if you would call the question.

Yeah, I just wanted the public to know that they're going to have an opportunity to speak.

Okay, so, Chair, my question is if there is a year extension, what will happen with the process, the recruitment process? Does it start after that or is it during that time?

Is that a question? I can understand. It's actually our decision. Whatever the board decides how we want to move with that. Certainly, Mr. Wilkins would be very integral And I were deciding when we're going to move when he tell us that a. In other words, it'll be about two months out. You know, you don't need to start doing what you do. OK. I think we have any other comments from the board before I go to the public.

Oh, yeah, I do have some concerns as well.

OK. Comfortable, I'm sure a little near.

Yes. So some of the concerns that I have, I think that Mr. Wilkins is a very good city manager and his position that he is now. But I do have some issues with the communication flow. I'm not getting response to emails. I'm not getting response to questions that are being asked. And I think that that is indicative of leadership, that if you're asking questions as a board member, then you should be receiving answers. I think that I'm not getting the information that I'm requesting. I think that maybe some other members may be getting information. I'm not getting it. There are decisions that have been made that I HAVE ASKED FOR INFORMATION AS TO WHY THE DECISION WAS MADE. I HAVE NOT GOT ANY INFORMATION. OF COURSE, I THINK MR. WILKINS, OTHER THAN THAT, IS DOING AN EXCELLENT JOB. HE DOES KNOW HIS WORK. BUT I THINK THAT HAVING A SITUATION WHERE WE HAVE TO HAVE COMMUNICATION GIVEN THAT THERE ARE SO MANY PROJECTS ON THE TABLE HERE IN THE CITY. CITY HALL, THE MARINA. We have other projects happening. We have utilities. We have a new water plant. There are a lot of things going on and we cannot get that information in an hour or two at the meeting. We have to have information that is flowing between city administration and the board to be able to make informed decisions when we do get here. So I do have an issue with that. And I think that that needs to be something that is a part of this negotiation.

So noted.

Mr. Chair.

Councilwoman Davis-Brenner.

Okay. So I want to just say that I've kind of been in the same position that Councilperson Miller-Anderson talked about tonight, like you said, with the previous city manager. So communication. ACROSS THE BOARD, DEPENDING ON WHO'S IN LEADERSHIP, CAN BE VERY UNEVEN. SO I'LL DEFINITELY WANT TO MAKE SURE I PUT THAT ON THE RECORD. AND THEN I WOULD SAY THAT MAYBE THE MANAGER, IF HE IS TO STAY, NEEDS TO CHECK HIS SUPPORT TEAM. BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE GETTING PAID A LOT OF MONEY. THAT SHOULD BE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE, THAT SHOULD BE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE BOARD IN A TIME EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE WAY. SO THAT WOULD BE MY SUGGESTION. IF WE ARE TO KEEP THIS, THAT'S WHAT CONSISTENTLY IS GOING ACROSS THE BOARD IS COMMUNICATION BEING AN ISSUE. NEW SPEAKER MADISON.

But I'm looking to get the information from him, not his support staff. I don't know if that's what you were saying, to get the information from the support staff or from, what do you mean?

No, to get it from him, but if his, I'm sorry, Chair.

Go ahead.

Okay, I'm saying to get the information obviously from him, but if he needs support and it seems like it's a technical issue or his technical skills, or things of that nature are deficient, he has a team of people that should be able to assist him with that.

Yes, I hear you. As long as it's coming from him, that's what I'm looking for.

Okay. Public comment.

Mr. Chair, we have six public comment cards. The first three speakers are Rochelle Hughes, followed by Nick Dragon, and then Cindy March.

Thank you. First public speaker, please.

Good evening, Rochelle Hughes, Riviera Beach. So on May 6th is when you decided to terminate the former city manager's contract. May 6th, it's July 1st. I'm a little shocked that we haven't even put it out on our website that we're looking for a city manager. It's not even out on LinkedIn, which I've seen other government entities put out job postings.

May 6th, it's July 1st.

No offense, Mr. Wilkins, you're a very nice guy. I've had a couple of conversations with you. You're very nice. But I just have a problem with number one, how he came to be interim. And then now we're just kind of lackadaisical about are we looking for a city manager? We want to move the city forward. We probably need to bring in people with new fresh ideas that maybe have worked in other cities that can bring in a fresh perspective. We keep recycling. No offense against you, Mr. Wilkins. Like I said, you're a very nice guy and I respect you highly, but 120 days, September 4th, May 6th, that same day or the next day, it should have been posted on the city website and or LinkedIn and or Indeed or whatever, because those are free sites that you can put a job posting on. And we didn't do it. Now we're at July 1st and everyone's kind of like, oh, we only had 120 days. So I think and remember Mr. Mayor had his meeting with the public and we all said we wanted to be a part of this. And we're not a part of it anymore. Or it seems like we're not a part of it. I get the council gets to appoint a city manager, but we asked that we were to be involved as well. And that's not happening either. So I just want you guys to really think. We need fresh ideas.

Listen, we just won All-America City.

Come on, let's keep that going. Let's keep that motivation going and look for somebody outside that will bring in fresh new ideas to the city and probably give us maybe a better perspective of how to run our city. Thank you.

Thank you for your comment. The next public speaker.

The next public speaker is Annette Dragon, followed by Cindy March and Lady March Goldwire.

Hello, everyone. Annette Dragon, Riviera Beach. I echo what Rochelle said and take it further. I actually contacted a couple of people a couple of days after the Mayor's gathering in here with suggestions. Nobody took any notice. I did hear last month that your HR Director came and talked about what was going to happen. Has it happened? I have not seen a job listing on any of the government websites, federal or local or regional. There are several websites that can be used with free advertising. I also echo Rocky in saying that you didn't advertise this on the website. Why? And it's not the only job that should be advertised on our City of Riviera Beach website. I have all respect for Mr Wilkins, but he was contracted for 120 days. Why have you not done anything faster than now to discuss whether you're going to employ him for another 12 months after his 120 days expire? At the citizens' cost, I might add. We already spent $200,000 on removing Jonathan Evans, who was a great city manager. Now you're looking to spend another $200,000 or more on keeping Mr. Wilkins in place for another 12 months. When is the wastage going to stop? You need to examine your motives of what you're actually doing here and get on the ball. It doesn't take rocket science to advertise a position in national and regional and local press and media. Let's do it. It doesn't take rocket science. You need to get on the ball and do it.

Thank you for your comments. Next public speaker, please.

Cindy March, Leni March Goldwire, and Dorota Polk.

Good evening, everybody. Everybody has the right to their own opinion. But let me say this, and I'm going to make myself very clear. You all spent $190,000 to bring Evans back. You all revised that contract and that resolution. And he came back. A lot of us wasn't involved, but you all changed. When he set up on the oath, he would never seek employment for the city of Riviera Beach. He not only seek employment for Riviera Beach, he was held with two or three jobs for the city of Riviera Beach. We just let this man go. You don't have to turn your head because I'm directly talking to you. Because you're the man-head spirit. We can agree and disagree. We can put the person of the devil aside. And that's the only way we're going to move this city forward. Then you let this man go with the $84,000 plus a hundred and something thousand. This man got almost over $300,000 to be a city manager. And you want to talk about communicate? where was the community cake when the e coli was out here doug lawson got in an altercation with one of his colleagues because it was hidden for over a year okay don't start talking about this utility director don't start talking about mr bill and by his get somebody to help him that's what we got to do we got to unite with one another you're not the smallest kid on the block So because you're in the education field, don't think you're the smallest one. Do unto others as you want them to do unto you, Kshama. It's enough already. We are on here bickering about what certain people want. This is one city. And you all are so rude when other council members speak because you all think you all know everything. Anything can be replaceable. You need to be disposed. You're despicable. And it's time to dispose you.

Thank you, Ann. we don't need to get personal i know that's just next next public speaker the next speaker is lady march goldwire followed by dorito paul

good evening uh council everyone is so good to see you i'm gonna try to pipe it down um what i wanted to say i want to reiterate the public comment what i will say is one i think is a beautiful thing that just occurred relative to everyone coming out and celebrating us being awarded all-american city there is a lot of back and forth narratives that happen here with regard to Riviera Beach and us not being able to get it right. And so even when you don't agree, when you don't always like the players, you don't have to hate the game. And I love this game. I love Riviera Beach. I just want to put on the record the fact that a lot of you were not as involved with city municipal governance when Mr. Wilkins was the city manager previously. He had two stints. But when Mr. Wilkins was the past city manager, the city of Riviera Beach, there were 37 municipalities at that time. And we ranked one and two alternating years. We had an AAA plus credit rating. And at that time, we could borrow $50 plus million on a signature. At that time, we had the reestablishment of Coca-Cola, FedEx, UPS, Cisco, Chaney Brothers. We had certain mattress and a whole bunch of other large headquartered Fortune 500 companies decide to plant here in Riviera Beach under that toolage. While I do agree that knowing that he had 120 days stint, Initially, I believe the charter doesn't allow anybody to serve longer than that without some intervention. There probably should have been some conversation before today about what happens next. But that has not happened. And you've already embarked upon 120 days. You have to do something to get here. for all of us to talk about being an all-American city and being a part of it and just pull, pull, pull, pull, pull. It makes no sense. You can't stay an all-American city without a manager. And it doesn't seem like anybody is in disagreement about pursuing a search for a manager. What you're trying to agree on is what you do and how you keep your hands on the wheel currently. I have moved on in many, many ways from the city of Riviera Beach. I decided a long time ago that I wanted to bloom and plant in a different spot because it left such a bad taste in my mouth. But every time I turn around, I'm pulled back here, and I don't want to come back and witness this. What I would love to see is you guys decide unilaterally that it's okay to have someone with that level of experience hold a will for as long as it takes for you to find his replacement.

Thank you for your comment. Next public speaker.

Mr. Chair, we have two public speakers. Left, Doretta Park, followed by Fain Lozman.

Good evening, my name is Doretta Park and I'm a citizen of Riviera Beach and my concerns are concerning achieving a new city manager. Is the. Firing and rehiring of the utility plant managers director Mr Josh Neiman. And I was just hoping that you would speak on this, Mr. Wilkins, what deemed you to fire him? And then two days later, hire him back. Did anyone talk to you concerning changing your mind and having him be rehired? So these questions need to be answered by you to find out what deemed you to fire him. by him and then rehire him. And I want you to elaborate on that if you can. Another thing, kudos. This is such an honor for this all-America, This is an award that you all got. This is amazing. These are our children and they're very articulate. And even when I watch what you all sent back, the feedback on Facebook, it was outstanding. So kudos to our children. And we also, again, Councilman Guyton, You have to have respect and give them time because she was still in a little rush with the presentations. So please just give them time. And the failure of HR or whoever is responsible for putting out applications for the city managers is so desperately wrong. I don't know why this was done, but we got to get on the ball. And we need to look and see, advertise for a new city manager. Not saying anything about Mr. Wilkins, because I do want you to explain the hiring, the firing and rehiring. I want you to explain that. And a whole lot of citizens want to know what made you change your mind and bring him back. And I just want to also say Councilman Spiritus, and the way you have been talking sometimes in these meetings to Councilwoman Kashama Miller is very degrading. You need to stop that because I know what you have done to me, what you said to me, but you need to settle down and be the Councilman that you are. You're better than this. And I thank you very much.

Thank you for your comment. Next public speaker.

Next public speaker is Fain Lozman.

Fain Lozman. Bill Wilkins was hired 47 years ago. He started with the city. He was city manager in 1979 to 1987. Then he got caught up in a scandal and was forced out. He came back for round two in 2006, 2008, or 2009, when I ran into him, I have in my hand a copy of the certified executive session transcript from June 23rd, 2006. On the front page is Bill Wilkins' name, involved a lawsuit that myself and the lady from Seashell City filed to kill the redevelopment deal that was going to take 2,200 homes. In this transcript, Spiritus has a copy of it. I'm going to give this to the clerk. She can make copies of it. In this transcript, they talk about intimidating me, finding out why the governor involved with me, hiring a private investigator to follow me around to harassment. That harassment started and I talked to Wilkins about it. 17 times the police came when I walked my dog. Harris came over to my Florida home and was going to arrest me for fixing a door before a tropical storm. I talked to work and go, I'm just doing what the council wants. If somebody told you to shoot me, would you do that Wilkins? You're not qualified to be the city manager, but you don't have to take it from me. You can read the transcript and you can see the chain of events that happened that he followed directives that I think were illegal that he could not do. Wilkins is 79 years old. He can be 80 years old. We have two qualified people who are the assistant city managers right now that can do the job. Deborah Jacobs was the assistant interim city manager. We have Coppins who has a career in law enforcement. We can save hundreds of thousands of dollars. You know, the property tax bill on the ballot in November, that's going to pass. And cities are going to be looking for money. When we have two qualified individuals that can do the job versus the 79 year old man, they've already done it twice and couldn't last. We need to have financial responsibility. Hiring him for a year is absurd. You can get somebody in here in 90 or 120 days and put Deirdre Jacobs in and let her do the job again. But we need to have some financial accountability. I have a problem with this man for what he did to me. I don't know what he's done to other people, but you can read all about it in this transcript.

Thank you for your comment.

Mr. Chair, that's the end of public comment for this item.

Thank you. There is a motion on the floor. Let me just say this. It doesn't matter who sit over there. It's going to be people who like them and don't like them. It does not matter. What matters to me is somebody with experience sitting there. Mr. Wilkins not only has been a city manager, he's been an assistant county administrator. Very few people in our community have the experience that Mr. Wilkins has. Some like to try to portray others as you have to be Jesus and never made any mistakes in life or you're not qualified. That's absurd. What I know about Mr. Wilkins is he's one that knows what he's doing. He does it fair, and he does it in an impartial way. I haven't seen any partiality toward me or anybody else. I can only speak for me. I know, and others have said, that he picks the phone up and calls all of us and let us know what's going on. Some are going through technology. That's fine. I think that can be worked out. But I'm not going to sit here and allow comments about somebody that I know has given a lot to this community. He didn't ask to come back. Somebody went and asked him to come and step in. So. The point I'm making is when you have people willing to sacrifice and give their knowledge and experience, I'm appreciative. I don't know about others. I'm very appreciative. Having said that.

Mr. Chairman?

Yes. Councilwoman Miller.

I hear what you're saying, but I do need to make sure everyone understand he is getting paid $250,000 a year. So it's, I mean, he's getting paid to come back. So he's not just, you know, doing out the kindness of his heart. And the other thing is September 4th is the 120 days, right? That's the last thing? September 4th? Okay, so the 120 days is not up yet. The other thing is, you know, I said this earlier about, you know, feeling that Mr. Wilkins is taking direction from someone. And what I meant by that was the exact reason why item number 12 D, which is the update on the city manager search, is down at the end is because it wasn't even on the agenda. And I know When we last spoke, the board, we indicated we wanted an update every time we met so that we knew where we were on this national search. During my agenda review, I was told that it was stopped. And I said, I know the board, I think it was all five of us said, we want to have continued updates as to how it's going. We almost came in here today with it not even being on their agenda because Mr. Wilkins was told, according to him, to stop it or pause it or not to bring it before until we figured out what we were going to do. And I said, that is not what the board said in our last meeting. Our last meeting has always been to give us continued updates. so that we know we're on track for actually looking for someone. That is not what happened yesterday. I was told, Mr. Wilkins was told to take it off. Now, it's one thing to, and I know the next argument will be that, you know, depending on who is the chair, some people take people's items off and all of this different stuff. That may very well happen. That never happened with me because I don't do that. Everybody has an equal say. The chair does not have any more power than anybody else on the board. But in this particular situation, it was not something that an individual council person wanted to be added onto the agenda. It was something that was stated in the public, in the sunshine by all of the members. And Mr. Wilkins took direction from one person to go against what the entire board told him to do. And That I thought was an issue. And that's why I said what I said, because if that happened yesterday, I don't know what else is happening. And I have had a conversation with Mr. Wilkins about this. We can't, you know, individual people cannot direct the manager. And I honestly feel that Mr. Wilkins is, you know, he's taken direction from them. And so therefore he's, he's, I don't want to say things are being pulled over his eyes, you know, that kind of thing, but it's a difference. And I tried to have a conversation with him, tried to get his understanding as to why he thought that was okay when it was not. And that just made me think, what else is being done that we would not know about So that's where I'm coming from with it. Like I said, it doesn't take away from what he knows and, you know, his experience. But I do know people keep referencing, you know, all of these years he had. But understand how many years ago. It's been over 20 years since he's been in that field or actually working. A lot of things have changed, okay? And so with that, obviously, part of it is technology. And I don't, you know, I don't think it's fair to say, you know, All of these people should be able to, I mean, of course you're going to have a team effort, but he's getting paid $250,000. Okay. We can't say, Oh, we're going to give you $250,000 and you don't have to know how to turn on the computer. No, that, that makes no sense. So, although I have no issue with him as a person, as a manager, I have an issue with knowing that that right now, 20, 30 years after being out of the field, It is an issue. It is an issue. It is an issue with the technology part. It is an issue with not being able to stand up to the board members when they're trying to push him to do something he knows is not the right thing to do. And I have questions about that. I just don't know that that's not going to happen again. Like I said before, I'm fine with doing like a three month And the extension is not over till September 4th. But if we're talking about trying to get through the budget, I don't have a problem with three months past that, which would be December, which would allow for the national search to do everything we need to do to interview, get an opportunity for the public to participate in the process, and then even have a transition period if you want to. But doing this for a whole nother year, I just see people just telling him what to do and he's just doing it. And although I know when he came on, he said he would not do anything that's immoral or illegal and all of these things. But like I said to him, that was not the right thing to do, but you did it anyway. So that just, you know, I don't know how you come back from that. But carry on. Thank you.

Thank you, Councilwoman Miller-Anderson. One of the reasons that, and it was me that asked him to put it on pause for a minute because you made a good point at the last meeting. You said something similar to, we shouldn't go out and spend money if we think that we may even temporarily hire somebody from the area, and when I thought about we coming up on the budget session, I thought that we shouldn't go spend that money right now. Walt, do you have that little clip?

Oh, no, I remember seeing it, and I said it for that purpose. Okay, okay, okay, just calm down. Oh, no, I definitely said it, and I still say it.

Calm down. Please, Walt, hit it.

So, you know, we've been through, many of us have been through this several times, and what I've found is that a lot of times when we do the national, sometimes people have intentions of, you know, you might know who you want to give it to already, You may know you want to stay local, but it sounds good for us to say we want to go national so that we can have a lot to pick from. But with that, as you see, is a cost. So I think we need to be realistic in what our intentions are. If you truly want to get people that are outside or considered outsiders, if you don't, then we don't need to waste the money if you really want to just stay locally. And then I'm simply saying that because I've seen us go and do national, but you don't want someone that's an outsider. I know a lot of times we like to say, you know, homegrown.

And what I'm saying is that we don't need to waste the money. That's why I want to bring it to the board first and have this discussion about the budget session coming up. And do we want to waste that money? going out now so that is the reason i suggested we put it on pause it wasn't on stop and it came back to the board not me telling them what to do i just want to carry it back to the board for discussion mr chair okay yes councilwoman miller but that's that's the part i'm talking about it's you you didn't have the right to tell them to stop they i didn't tell them to stop i said i want to bring it to you all to discuss this budget process before we spend a lot of money.

but what the direction from the board was to bring it back. Now, once it was brought back, they continued to move forward in looking for someone. They were supposed to continue until the entire board said they wanted it to stop. That's the issue that I had. It's not so much that now you have this epiphany and you don't want to spend the money, because I already knew this was the place, but I'm just saying, whatever he leaves with the board given direction, that's what it is until the board comes back and then give additional direction. The chair cannot give that intermediary direction direction. You can't tell him to stop so that when we come to the meeting, then we can have the conversation. No, the last thing that was said by the board was go continue doing what you're doing with the national search, come back in two weeks, every meeting, come back and give an update. That's what was supposed to happen. Not You tell them to wait and then we talk. No, that's not how that goes because that then just opens the door for other stuff for you to tell them to stop or not bring it or whatever the case may be. That's not what the board said. The board said bring it back. So that's my point. Not so much as what you all are doing now, because I already knew you were going to do it. But I'm just talking about that's the right thing to do, is to continue to follow what the board tells you to do, not what one person tells you to do offline. Mr. Chair.

Okay, so noted. Councilwoman Davis-Preneur.

Well, I just want to thank all of you all for the clarification, because WITH THE PREVIOUS CHAIR, I THOUGHT THE CHAIR COULD TAKE IT OFF, ANYTHING OFF THE AGENDA AT WILL. BECAUSE I KNOW THERE WERE SEVERAL THINGS ON AGENDAS THAT WERE TAKEN OFF AND IT WAS SAID IT WAS BY THE CHAIR. THE MAYOR'S REPORT SEVERAL TIMES WAS ON THE AGENDA, OFF THE AGENDA, ON THE AGENDA. SO THIS IS LIKE MORE OF THE SAME. SO I THINK THANK YOU FOR THE CLARIFICATION. SO WE ARE SAYING THAT THE CHAIR CANNOT REMOVE anything off of the agenda by themselves. That's new to me because I know in the past that hasn't been done on more than one occasion. I'm going to finish on more than one occasion. I'll let you go. Sure.

Councilwoman Miller-Anderson and then Vice Chair Spiritus, and then we have a motion on the floor and we have public comment waiting. and we're going to have to decide and keep this meeting moving.

Yeah, that's nothing new about people, you know, the chairs taking things off. But in this situation I'm talking about right here, it is not about I wanted something added to the agenda and he took it off. I'm talking about direction that has been given to from the board directly to the manager that should continue I'm not saying oh I want you to add All-American on and then I get to the meeting and find that you pulled the chair pulled it off that's not the same thing I'm talking about but in reference to that yes the chair has no more authority than any other council person that has always been the case that's what the charter says but Just as you're saying, Ms. Davis-Prenier, I went through that same thing in 2015, 2016. I mean, it's not anything new. You have different people that become the chair and want to remove stuff, and they don't have that power. So, I mean, this happened with various people. It's not just one. I mean, that's been going on for years. So, yeah, I understand what you're saying, but this is a different situation I'm talking about.

Thank you for your comments, Vice Chair Spiritus, and then we're going to have to take a vote and public comment. Thank you, Chair.

I do remember chair Lanier giving a directive to the city manager to put out plants and prepare plans and specifications to put the water plant out to bid that never happened we waited months it never happened we were forced to vote on a CMP probably cost the city over a hundred million dollars nothing ever happened so clearly this is not the first time thank you okay thank you um councilwoman shirley lanier you said that'd be what that was the board voted and you directed the city manager to prepare plans and specifications for the water plant to go out to bid that was our exit ramp that never happened it was never prepared never happened we had no choice but to vote or put the water plant off for at least a year which we weren't willing to do we had no choice but to vote with the cmp that was given to us at that time. So what did I have to do with that? A directive was given by the chair to the city manager, but the board voted for the chair to give that directive to the city manager, and it never happened. So that's what we're talking about right now.

No, no, no, no. That's totally incorrect. No, that's not correct. That's not incorrect. You can go look at the minutes. That is incorrect.

Go look at the minutes of the meeting.

Go look at the minutes. I have the floor now. A point of order being called.

I have the floor.

Councilwoman Shirley Lanier, and then if there are any comments, you can follow up.

Right. And that is totally incorrect. I want to be clear. When I was the chair, what I did was if a person wanted to have something on the agenda, my issue was to make sure that the item was voted on by the members. Do we want to hear this? Because when you add things to the agenda at the meeting, you have no backup. You have nothing to go on in terms of making a decision. So I would say, no, what we'll do is you can come to the meeting and you can ask the board to put this on the next agenda. so that now we have backup. Now we can make informed decisions. I never took anything off the agenda if it was not pertaining to something that was directed to the city manager. If the board voted on it, and the board said bring this back every two weeks then that's what happened i would never take anything off because i don't have the right to do that but i would often take things off because what you put things on the agenda at the meeting and you have no clue as to what it is or the conversation you'll be having about that particular item and that's what i did on that tip but there is no way in the world that i took the city manager and not move forward with the water plant that is ludicrous But I digress. I also want to say that if we're going to do this, we need to make sure that we are pursuing the city manager national search as well. I don't know, and I think that that's the crux of the argument here. That was supposed to be on the agenda every two weeks for us to get an update on it. You took it off. That was something the board as a whole said that it's supposed to be on the agenda. You cannot unilaterally take that off because of that. So the question is, are we going to do a national search or not?

Okay, and that's a question for the board. We'll vote on it, and whatever three or more people say, that is what we'll do. But there's a motion on the floor now, and if somebody want to address those issues after we carry this motion.

Chair, I called the question.

I'm sorry? I called the question. Okay, call the question. Could you repeat the motion, please?

The information that I have, Mr. Chair, is to keep the interim city manager for a one-year agreement. Okay. So, Chair.

Chair, I have to correct that. I said subject to the city council hiring a new city manager.

Okay.

So, Chair.

Councilwoman shirtle in there with you in the discussion. The motion right on surely linear.

So I want to ask a question so we're we're in the discussion phase of of extending the contract for Mister Wilkins for an entire year. The issue that we're still talking about is that are we going to have a conversation about the national search. Because I was pulled off the agenda yet.

And as I just indicated one that the motion is carried. If someone wants to bring up that issue, you can. But that's not part of this motion now. We can only vote. No, no, no.

I understand that. I just want to make sure that that is a discussion that we have as well.

We've got to carry this motion, and that's the discussion after this.

So, Mr. Chair.

Yes, Councilwoman Shirley, I mean, I'm sorry. That's okay. David Spanier.

Okay, that's okay.

And we have to wrap this up. We have to.

OK, so I have a question. What would a six-month extension be? What date would that be?

We have a procedural issue here. Vice Chair Spiritus called a question that takes precedent over discussion. Mr. Chair?

Mr. Chair, he did actually correct and clarify the motion. after he called the question. So I think procedurally there was an adjustment to the motion that was read into the record. And I mean, if he's calling the question now again on the update, then we can call the question. I think there was some unreadiness because we did spend about 30 to 40 minutes talking about, you know, the roles and the responsibilities of the chair, but I still have unreadiness about what's the step, what is the off ramping, what's the next steps of transition, succession of the next city manager, what's that timeline look like? To clarify, the update on the city manager search is actually still on the agenda for 12D. That discussion may want to happen prior to this extension so it can be clear. That would be my recommendation to clearly understand what's the next steps for the city manager process and incorporate that into this contract because if we find a city manager in six months, What does that do for Mr. Wilkins' contract, which would be a year? what would that payout look like? So I just want us to just be cautious with how we proceed and stay in order. And just to put on the record, I do appreciate the communication with Mr. Wilkins. He is more so just a phone call person, and that's where we've been in constant communication with. Hopefully the emails will work and increase a little bit more, but the phone calls, he always answers when I call.

So thank you. Thank you, Mayor. A question has been called on the amendment. The question has been called again.

I have a question about what it was.

Councilwoman, it takes precedent.

I don't know what I want to hear what he said. That's what I'm trying to find out.

Would you repeat it so so we can carry this motion?

The motion is to keep the interim city manager for a one year agreement subject to the city council hiring a city manager.

Okay, so Mr. Chair, we are hiring him as a city manager. That's what we're doing, right? That is what we would be doing. So how is the motion?

Councilwoman, the question has been called. You want a clarification.

It's a clarification about his

Procedurally, we've got to answer the question being called. Yes, we do.

Mr. Chair, I'm trying to get clarification on his motion.

I know, but he called the question.

But if I don't have clarification, how am I going to be voting on something? Mr. Chair.

Go on, repeat it. She's going to repeat it.

He said the motion was that he, Mr. Chair, he said that he wanted to, he was, doing this motion to hire him until we hire a city manager. We are hiring him. That's what it is. So what does he mean until another city manager?

You want a clarification on the motion? Now you're asking questions about the motion. That's the difference. That's the difference. It's time to take a vote. Once they call a question, it's time to take a vote.

I'm just trying to get understanding of what you said. You cannot, we both have a voting right here. You cannot shut me down. Can he just answer what he means?

Time out, time out. Our ordinance say that we're going to operate by the Robert rules of order. And Robert rules of order says if a question is called, we've got to carry it.

I cannot continue to, sir. I understand that, but you understand too, if someone does not have clear understanding of what the motion is, Can he clarify what his motion was? Because it doesn't make sense. That's what we're doing. We're hiring the person. But then he says it's to another until a city manager. We're not extending his interim his interim agreement.

So that's why I've been I've been flexible with the Robert.

But but Mr. Chair, can he answer that? It's a simple question.

What would you like to compare? Sure. I'll explain. Basically what I'm suggesting, what my motion was, was to give a one year agreement and there'll be an exit ramp that'll be negotiated by the city attorney to ensure that if the city council during our search hires someone in two months or three months, the city manager will no longer be the city manager. The new city manager will take the place. If it takes up, it may take 10 months, it may take one month, we don't know. But at least we'll have a city manager that has full authority to function in that position.

But Mr. Chair. Historically, the chair has been involved in the negotiations too.

But here's the thing.

If we're going to put that in your motion.

Mr. Chair, if we're giving him a one-year contract and you say that we could possibly hire someone in seven months, ten months, wouldn't we have to pay him off to finish out that contract if we decide to get someone else at that point?

Now we're going off.

It's a part of his motion.

His motion is and what I suggested up to THE LANGUAGE THAT I'LL USE. I SAID UP TO A YEAR.

I'LL AMEND MY MOTION TO SAY UP TO ONE YEAR. AND THE CHAIR AND THE CITY ATTORNEY WILL NEGOTIATE AN AGREEMENT THAT WILL HAVE AN EXIT RAMP AND THE CITY MANAGER WILL BE PAID PROPORTIONATELY BASED ON THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT HE SPENT THERE IN THAT POSITION.

IS THAT MOTION ACCOMPLISHING WHAT THEY'RE SAYING?

I understand the spirit of the motion. I would draft the language to say for up to one year or the hiring of a city manager, whichever comes first. We would also include whatever severance that would be up to the maximum of 20 weeks pursuant to the statute. But it could be less than 20 weeks. It just can't be more.

Okay. Please, please. Okay.

And all of the

of the components of that motion, the city manager and the chair can negotiate. OK, Madam Chair.

So, Mr. Chair, what is the change in his motion to witness Wednesday or second?

Yeah, I mean, they're second to the amendment to the motion that the attorney just articulated.

David, please.

Yeah, I'll second it. Yeah, I can get the second second. Yeah. Now, Madam Chair, Yes, call the question.

Councilperson Davis-Panier? Yes. Councilperson Lanier?

No.

Councilperson Miller-Anderson? No. Chair Pro Tem Dr. Spiritos?

Yes.

Chairperson Guyton?

Yes.

The item passes with Councilperson Lanier and Miller-Anderson dissenting.

Okay, we're going right into public comment. Public comment shall begin at 730 unless there is no further business of the City Council, which in that event, it shall begin sooner. In addition, if an item is being considered at 730 p.m., then comments from the public shall begin immediately after the item has been concluded. Please be reminded that the City Council 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 yourself accordingly. First public speaker, please.

Mr. Chair, Rochelle Hughes, Lynette Dragon, followed by Lloyd Brown.

Good evening.

I just wanted to say congratulations to Ms. Miller Anderson and Mayor Lawson and the whole crew, the whole city, the whole staff, the youth council. for the All-American City Award. That was amazing. I got to watch the presentation that the city made out in Denver when the city said, okay, they're gonna be on. It was fantastic. I'm sorry that they all left, but it was amazing. I got goosebumps watching the city, their whole performance, their whole skit. It was amazing. And then when they won, I cried. I was like, yay, go team. I think it was amazing. And I just, I wish they both were in the room, but they did a fantastic job. with the the kids and i do think because of the youth council um that did someone mentioned that before about having the youth council there i think that is what drove because man we have a great youth council and so i hope we do continue with them um and and keep it going for years and years so i just want to say kudos um to the city as a whole because it's the residents it's the city staff it's miss miller anderson mayor lawson you know, just that drive. And like I said, that youth council, they're the ones who applied for it. So that it's awesome. So that's all I wanted to say. Thanks.

Thank you for your comment. Next public speaker, please.

That dragon, Lloyd Brown, Shaquille Brown.

Hello again, everyone. Echoing Ms. Baker Hughes's congratulations. Proud to be a part of the city. A couple of things have come to light. The city's website has become very unwieldy and difficult to navigate. I did send a note to Walter Stevens last week and no reply yet. We need to define the website in better terms. A lot of the links don't work, a lot of the information in the website is outdated, and it needs simplification. Second thing, This grant business for home improvements in the CRA district, this is really unfair. What about those of us that don't live in the CRA district? There is absolutely nothing out there for any of us, particularly those of us on fixed incomes. And I unfortunately was widowed 18 months ago. I had to put a new roof on my house, cash out of pocket. I had to put a new air conditioner in my house, cash out of pocket. And at the time that my husband died, I had no ceilings in my house because we had started renovating inside the house as well. Got no grants for that either and had to put cash out of pocket. When is the city going to actually do something for the people that do not live in the CRA district? We need this. Do something about it instead of prevaricating and twiddling your thumbs doing nothing.

Second question, comments. Next public speaker.

Lloyd Brown, followed by Shakir Brown and Sammy Brown.

You know, people, they say that I don't vote, right? I mean, I pay taxes. I have the right to complain. I mean, where's the logic in I don't vote, so I can't complain? If you voted for these people up here and elected these people, these dishonest, incompetent individuals, and while in office, look at the city. Look at what's going on with this city. Tom, we got the best city. Go over there and ask some people on this avenue about that. They don't know. I don't want to say a word because you want to put me out, but they won't know about what's going on over here. You bring in people like the drug dealer used to do. He used to give me drugs because, you know, I'll be his friend. And if he ran for council, I'll vote for him. You know what I mean? You do stuff to get votes. You don't do it to help the city. And I mean, you know, I was trying to put in a card when they were talking about Mr. Wilkins. We pretty good friends. Mr. Wilkins, you don't turn your back on them. I'm going to tell you now, don't turn your back. They may be smiling in your face today. When you turn your back, they will stab you. Them same ones that up here talking for you, they'll be putting their foot in your butt when you turn your back. I'm telling you, I know. Me and you good friends, so don't turn your back on. And you know what this is over here? Garbage in and garbage out. I ain't talking about you. I'm talking about them. And you know, all my neighbors out there, all my neighbors, they don't even, they put you in here. You can't blame me. Because at the time when it was time to vote, I stayed home. I didn't even go out the door. Because there's nobody over here. Y'all young. Y'all work some new people on this avenue. I hear you arguing over here. I go on this avenue, hear the same kind of BS. And then you got people looking at you. Hey, Onion, you see them arguing? That's my friend. You see them arguing? They act like the man on the corner, don't they? y'all ain't doing nothing y'all just a bunch of misfits i mean i don't know how they can say this city is the number one place yeah for your friends who you give awards to because they're going to vote for you like the drug dealer used to give me drugs and when i used to go in the store i used to clean up the store same way they gave me beer so i was right on tight with them like you giving them awards out and then you talking about sending money to jamaica you're jamaican Well, that's probably why. I got a friend live up on the top of my hill. He's 101. His roof is bad. Like the lady's saying, people need help. His roof bad. I don't see you walking around going door to door. We had people to do that. You just here, you want to give out stuff like the drug dealer so you can have those people coming to you. I don't know why they vote for you. They got to be blind. I mean, garbage in, garbage out.

Next public speaker, please.

Shaquille Brown, Sammy Brown, Jamel Stewart, O'Brien Edwards, Jamie Lee Bradshaw, Fane Lozeman, Mike Alvatron, and Delores Williams. I have a whole stack of cards left.

Who's the next one now?

Fain Lozman, followed by Mike Albatron and Morris Williams.

Mike Albritton.

Albritton. My apologies.

After this speaker.

Fain Lozman. I see we have a lot of people from the Emirate here. The media has been doing a lot of research into what's going on with the Emirates. And I know some of you have a close relationship with the developer of the Emirate. But what's going on, and this city should really be interested in it, EB-5 fraud. EB-5 means you make an investment in an LLC. If you make the right amount of investment, you get a green card. And when the project is built, you get your money back. The developer has not returned any of the EB-5 money. He's kept it. That's securities fraud. The people in that building who have been contacted by investors, I think also some investors contact the city. They need to go to the SDC. They need to go to the US Immigration Department. It also deals with EB-5. And we ought to say, what is going on here? How can we as a body, if this is accurate, that this developer has pocketed something like 60 or $70 million has been alleged and haven't returned it to investors. you have a responsibility to deal with that. Okay. Because you are the governing body. You're the legislative body of this city. And if somebody is committing a fraud of that side, if that's true, you know, I haven't seen the documentation, but that's true. This board right here, you have, you have liability to the city that you approve this project. You knew it was funded by EB five. And now these people have been defrauded. Somebody needs to take a good look at that project. Now, My taking case, Halo's taking case, government lot one's taking case. All those cases are being refiled. We just had to get a denial of invariance to develop our property. There's been a lot of new developments in the last year. Ultimately, those lots are going to be developed. There's going to be, they'll be bulk headed and filled. There's going to be construction. And when you read the complaints, you understand why. And your job is to make sure the city doesn't go bankrupt. And in federal court, if we get a judgment for a couple hundred million dollars, that could bankrupt the city. What you need to do is when you look at the complaints and you go over with a lawyer who knows what they're talking about, you could say, we need to change the comp plan and zoning. We cannot put the city at liability if we win a taking case. The big case, the city of Marathon just lost it to Florida Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court in the Shands case. S-H-A-N-D-S. Look it up. Google it. Shands is... was a guy that owned a island. And for 20 years, they wouldn't let him develop it. He alleged to taking and the theories that were thrown out by the court of appeals are the same theory that your city attorney has been pushing for the last few years. So that's going to be a big story in the coming years. You need to deal with that and you need to deal with EB-55.

Thank you for your comment. And next public speaker.

Mike Albritton, Dolores Williams, and Michael Jordan.

Good evening, council, chair. I will pray for all of you. It's been a long evening. I can't imagine how you endure what I've experienced being here. As a business entrepreneur, I will never go into politics. I see the good and I see the bad, but it's very wearing. to go through what I've seen you go through. But I'm here to speak about the All-American Award. I was very fortunate to be able to participate as a business entrepreneur and transportation provider to go to this event. Every person there, every child, every adult put out so much, and I am still sore. uh we didn't have any slack from the time they were practicing on the bus on the way down they were the only group the entire all three of our categories we were the only people that memorized our lines everyone else every other of the 20 total groups had their scripts everyone in our group knew their script they studied it we all had to study it because we were told very clearly Anybody could walk up to you as a member of the organization and ask you any question at any time. Who wants to fail that when you're there to represent us at your city? So all of us did. We studied, studied, studied, studied, studied. From 7 a.m. to 9.30 at night, we were focused on winning this award. I want to be sure that it's not belittled. I know people that weren't there don't feel the way I feel about what we went through. They don't feel the value of what we went through because they weren't there. You didn't see the faces of the other people and the other parents and the other children that were there from the other 20 cities of 1,600 cities that applied. Only 20 were accepted. Only 10 won the awards. We saw all 20 or 19, excuse me, of them, the looks on their faces, the desire to win this award for their city. It's not a word for me. This won't go in my business. This respectfully won't help my business with what I do. But this is for this city and the residents of this city. It's for making things better. It's a piece of, I saw some of the naysayers. It hurt me to know how much effort is put towards this to make this happen and how much money many of us as businesses spend to make things go well. for people to be able to sit back behind a computer or sometimes behind a podium, have something to say when you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem. I'm sorry for what you go through, but I'm so thankful what you did do was something in the right direction. And I swear to that because I must've lost weight. I lost business.

I mean, we had Team Portugal

and i am up there with with you all getting this award so if you didn't think it was important to me i promise you as well thank you so much and god bless you all thank you very much for your comments and thank you for your support in that endeavor next public speaker the next speaker is dolores williams followed by michael jordan excuse me and cindy march good evening everybody the audience on television

FOR THE CITIZEN OF RIVERA BEACH. NOW, TO ME, IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE GOING ON TO MAKE THE CITY THE BEST PLACE TO WORK to live and play. But I tell you, be playing up there. Miss Anderson, I hate to call your name, but when Mr. Evans was here, you hardly ever, ever got up and say that much stuff like you're saying. I thank Mr. Wilkinson. You say something about 30 years. People that got experience, got more experience than y'all just starting out. You know him. You know his daughter. You went to school with his daughter. You went to school with my daughter. They're professional, too. for you to feel like you should give him a contract. What's so, y'all say? What's nine more months, whatever it is? What's that? You arguing about, I want to make sure it's right. Right on what? You know, you see these things right here. These people sending me all these things. I want to buy my house. I have to get on the phone and tell them. But y'all was so much for letting these entrepreneurs come in here and they buying up all the elderly people houses. They want to get it up and take over the city. But yet y'all said you've been there 12 years. You've been there nine years, Ms. Lanier. Y'all been through a lot of stuff. You could say you didn't. The chairman didn't change some stuff. You did. You didn't put some stuff over the chairman, Ms. Lanier, when he was trying to first verify Mr. Evans, you took it off and then put it on. Y'all are adding stuff on in the midst of a meeting. Why are you always trying to find fault with somebody? You're not trying to go nowhere. You're hindering what progress we can do. I don't think Mr. Jonathan coming back, you know, they said last year, I don't know how it is. Like you kept saying, oh, I heard. I heard them say, get the truth thing. He brought this thing up on the screen about you talking. So please stop doing that. Let him stay here for one more year. What that going to hurt you? What that going to hurt about you? Stop being so honorary. I'm not going to call your name being honorary and just so determined not to say nothing. Mrs. Spearman. I don't think you cut cross on her. The last time it was, you was talking and she cut cross. He had to hit the gavel.

She wasn't, you was talking and he had to stop her from crossing.

Y'all do that a lot of times at the crossing one another. So please stop acting like you care about this city. You don't. You care about things you lost because you ain't got the help man no more. Stop it.

Thank you for your comment. Next public speaker, please.

the next speaker is michael jordan cindy march and lady march gold wire okay i would like to say hello to the council first first of all you all know that i love each and every one of you and respect you highly mr spiritus as i said before you have the right to your opinion okay it was a lot of changes when the chair was different every time we come here the agenda is never the same so i don't see what's the difference or what's the argument about from there until now okay we have to operate in the future mr evans with all respect is not here anymore so we can't talk about what he done in the past we got to talk what we have to do in the right now in order to move forward i respect everybody's opinion whether they respect mines or not and i'm going to be respectful not only that mr wilkins i have known you for a while you have always been a good man so what if you're not familiarized with the modern technology do you need to be familiarized with it yes but you still got the point across you have somebody to assist you like they have aids they delegate and tell people and give them directors on what they want to do so you have the right to do the same with whoever works up under you i don't see the difference the message still got to them okay first of all when they were talking about certain things was going to be removed off the agenda it still made it to the agenda so therefore you didn't listen to what they told you it was still on the agenda am i correct or incorrect okay so what i'm saying is let us be respectful toward one another let us come as i always say in reason together like i said i'm a person that always try to bring harmony i try to come in peace i try to respect everybody doesn't matter if they don't respect my opinion like i say i state what i have to say I'll never change it, okay? Because I am who I am. I stand up in the authority that I have to be able to open my mouth and exercise my freedom of speech. How can we move the city forward if we still worried about what Mr. Evans is doing, if we cannot agree together? I'm not going to sit up there and argue with you or go backwards and forth with you if my answer is still going to be no and I'm going to vote no. So like I'm saying, You all have the right to your opinion. I respect that. Keep doing what you're doing, Mr. Guyton, and everybody keep doing what you're doing as a council to come together and move the city forward. But like I keep saying, the reputation of the city of River Beach, it's really bad. you all don't hear the things out there and i'm so proud of what you all are doing with the youth and what miss hester has done but you think that i would bring my child here to serve on this youth council with what's going on the way you can cut the tension with your hand and you're going backwards and forth and cutting over each other talking that's not what i want to show my youth that this is the way that we're supposed to handle ourselves in a meeting And I know what I'm saying is right, whether you like it or not. I'm still going to speak to you. I'm still going to respect you. And I'm not going to lose no sleep about how nobody feels about me. Let's get it right and let's get it together and move forward. Like I say, I love each and every one of you, but we have to do better. We have to do better. There's no way I bring my child here and think about them working in this city.

Thank you for your comment on next public speaker, please.

The next public speaker, Cindy March, by the way, Lady March Goldwire and Cynthia Curtis.

But even counsel, you all can go ahead and put this boy down talking about the corn. I don't have the corn. Y'all don't have the corn. I am very angry That's why my volume was so high the first time. We don't even, and Mr. Bill Wilkins, can I get an answer? If I'm not here, I'll go home and look at my TV. We got so many persons in Dallas with one another.

Do we have the money for the waterfront? $400 million?

These are some of the questions we need to be having a discussion with. Let me say this as well. Social media is nothing but the police. That's how they solve their crimes mostly. It can help you or it can hurt you. I would never get on social media or come in here and threaten no one. I'm not going to defame it if it's not true. I am who I am and I have the right to my freedom of speech. The captain police, I can still remember when Lanier was a council person. I got escorted out the door. You know what he told me? You didn't do nothing wrong, but I got to do what the chair told me to do. I could have pursued it. You know what I did? Because we have such a great chief of police. I was sitting at my desk, tears rolled out my eyes because I felt like I had been mistreated from the same board, the same people who want to delineate what others have done as if they're the greatest person in this city. I've been an advocate for over 30 years. No, I'm not always right. But one thing I can do is be apologetic when I'm wrong. Y'all don't set an example. And y'all think people are not watching. People are watching. People are on social media. You all have a problem with Dr. Glenn Spiritus. You all have a problem with Mrs. Davis. And no disrespect to you, Mr. Guyton, they even have a problem with you. And let me tell you something. I didn't even support Guyton. But you all ran with Guyton. You all ran with Doug. You all help put these people in office. So as soon as they don't agree with you, you're ready to get rid of them. We don't spend over $300,000 for the ex-city manager. And we cannot even acknowledge this man's experience. Let me tell you, I'm from the street a long time ago. God healed me over 40 years ago. But I'm glad that I took the streets because you know what?

Thank you for your comments, dear. Next public speaker, please.

The next speaker is Lady March Goldwire, followed by Cynthia Curtis and Anthony Curtis.

Mr. Chair.

Mr. Chair.

I just want to be clear. Was there a threat made at the end when the buzzer came? I couldn't hear because of the buzzer, but I know she pointed at me, so I just want to know, was that a threat? OK. Thank you.

OK. Thank you. Thank you for your comment. OK. Next public speaker.

I have the good fortune of having the same last name as my aunt, so I'm going to almost always follow her comments. I get upset. My name is Leigh March Goldwire, by the way. I get upset when I see her upset. Because I know if you don't know her, you'll misunderstand the motive and you'll misunderstand the intent. But I'm the same little girl who she would drag to the port the candidates back in the early 80s, the late 80s, 90s. I didn't know what was going on sitting up with Ms. Emma Bates and some of these folks as they corralled around and the city was the best place to be. When I was the building official here, I happened to have the great fortune of being housed in an office where it apparently used to be the city manager's office or something because all of the original documents for the charter, the city charter was in that office. And I would spend countless hours going through it. Some of it was on old parchment paper, but you could understand the intent of our forefathers in terms of what they wanted the city to look like. And I believe what they wanted the city to look like was remnant of what we saw or what we've heard about relative to this all American city. The problem is whoever was there probably didn't get an opportunity to peek in here and see how we aren't so all American. We can legislate, we can congregate, we can fellowship and decide that we are not going to agree. There are some of you who hate my guts and I can assure you that the feeling is likely mutual. but in the spirit of diplomacy i can make up my mind to try to put on some pants some rouge lipstick and try to halfway exhibit some excellence because i come from a city that put something so deep inside of me that i could stand in the face of everything that you guys not you personally but what Some people opted to do to me and survive and go somewhere else and do better, be better. That's what you are when you're Riviera Beach bread, fed, and raised. I just wish that we could all American our way to being decent and in order. Some of you all have a spirit about you, regardless of how much you try to pretend that you're just legislating. It is quite obvious that you have your picks. You have your favorites. Your minds are already made up. It's not open to any change. I ask myself every day, do I want change or do I want credit? Do I want change or do I want credit? I've been able to move and do what I need to do because I'm Riviera Beach born and bred. And I just wish some of us would start acting that way so that the excellence can be on full display.

Thank you very much for your comment. Next public speaker.

Next speaker is Cynthia Curtis followed by Anthony Curtis and then Jason Dittar.

Hello there, I'm Cynthia Curtis, Amarant Ocean Resort. Happy 4th of July to all of you coming up. Today, I also want to celebrate something that happened at the Amarant Ocean Resort. We experienced the Peace Tower turnover. So that means somewhat of freedom of deliberate dictatorship. So Mr. Lawson, I know that you have cut the ribbon and I'd like you to come back to the Amarant and cut the ribbon and help us to get homestead today. so what I'm asking of you as the city council to please all work together because today I was reminded why I studied political science pre-law why our founding fathers wrote the Constitution we need to start following that we are Americans and it doesn't matter if we're in Riviera Beach or in Bloomfield Hills Michigan we need to conduct ourselves with law and order And I ask you to represent that here and to represent the people at the Amrit Ocean Resort. And I still don't have my mail.

Thank you.

Thank you for your comment.

The next speaker is Anthony Curtis, followed by Jason Dittar and Doretta Paul.

Good evening. It's been several months since I addressed the issues at the Amet Resort. As my wife just said, we still don't have homestead. I don't know what it's going to take. I've been there two and a half years now and we're getting nowhere. We need the help of the city because this developer, he should be in jail. Really, he should be in jail. I mean, the things he has done to us and to everybody else, He's a criminal and we need to fix this. And only you guys can fix it. We have plumbing issues there. I don't know how he got away with building this building without getting inspections. We need inspectors to come out there and address the plumbing issues. We have no way to jet the systems. They're supposed to be jetted at least once a year, our sanitary sewers. They can't be jetted because he didn't build them the code. I have a letter from the city, a building inspector addressing it, but nobody's done anything. Why don't we have a CFO for the hotel and his banquet facility and his restaurants? It's been two years and eight months with no CFO. What city lets a developer get away with that? I mean, when is the city going to shut down his hotel and his restaurants because he doesn't have a CFO? I don't understand it. I mean, I've been in business in Michigan with numerous companies and every year we get inspected. This guy never gets inspected. Why? Why doesn't the city inspect this building? Here, for two years now, two and a half years now, I have been complaining to the developer and his people about our emergency exits are locked. I live in the West Tower. the west tower on the south side of the building. Our emergency exit requires us to leave out the exit doors from our building and go to past the gym. And there's two exit doors that'll take us out to the street. Those doors have been locked for two and a half years and nobody does anything about it. This is a fire emergency. Doesn't the fire department inspect this building? I just can't understand what's going on. When is the city going to do something? When are you going to order your inspectors out there and your fire marshal out there to do something, shut down his hotel, shut down his restaurants? That's how you're going to get his attention. That's the only way you're going to get his attention. Thank you.

Thank you for your comment. Next public speaker, please.

next speaker is jason dittar followed by doretta paul hello everybody and thank you very much for your new service and welcome back mr wilkins and mayor council thank you so much my name is jason debtor president of armored ocean resort condominium association that is tony who just spoke. He is the other president. There are two towers. He's now president as of today. So I was going to talk about some other things because, you know, public records, the thing I talked about the last time that took 14 months in a lawsuit, the writ of mandamus to actually get those public records. It's fascinating what is in those public records, the privileges and confidential information and private emails that include your city attorney, that include pretty much every single person involved of all upper management in the city, including your former city manager discussing the CO and how that process unfolded. Rather ironic that he happened to bring that up. There's a lot of things that could be talked about, but in the spirit of cooperation, what we are concerned with now is a path forward, a path forward to the fact that we're just the hotel. This has been known for a long time. Why does our architectural drawings show that our areas that are condominiums say residential? Why were they stamped and approved that way as R2 residential? Why is a lot of things happened along in this process, but we're not residential? Spoken to members of the zoning board and involved in the city in the past, they didn't even know.

They thought we were residential.

Previous city manager, Jonathan Evans, even in a deposition was confused about, was it a hotel? Was it a condominiums? Went back and forth a couple of times with that. There was a ton of confusion. So we're not fools. Our dozens of attorneys and land planners and professionals that we've had involved has found a significant number of inconsistencies that existed and confusion. So I'm not here placing blame specifically, but to just say, look, there is a path forward. We've determined that and it is going to require a text amendment to the code under me hop. So we need all 182 units converted the residential the way that it should have been. So we are going to be coming to you. We will be hiring that professional, George Gentile, which you're mostly all familiar with. He has been working with your director of development services in that department for over the last year and determining what that pathway could look like to make that happen. It will ultimately rest with the council because unlike in, I believe it was May of 2017 that Julie Votel brought reference to in the last meeting, which I didn't know about, there was an administrative change that apparently happened to deviate that plan. So now we want to fix it. Thank you so much.

Thank you for your comments. Next public speaker.

The last speaker is Doretta Paul.

Good evening. My name is Doretta Park, and I just want to I really sympathize with you all what you're going through, especially when you hear about the sewer situation in your building. I really do, because we're going where I live at 20th and around the corner is G. Every six months, this pipes break and the stench. So I sympathize with you going through. But now we do have now new pipes in, and hopefully that's going to eliminate everything. But have you all thought about going to the state representative, Devante Edmonds, or your state senator? They might be able to help you all. I don't know, but just a suggestion, just a suggestion. And I just want to say that I wish that we did have a program for the youth leadership that Mrs. Cashambo-Miller and also Mayor Lawson started. I would have loved my children to be involved in something like that. Because when you see the caliber that our children in Riviera Beach have. They are so attuned in their knowledge of the Riviera Beach. They're so articulate in their bringing their presentation forward. I was so proud of each and every one of them. And it starts with the leadership that we have. Councilwoman Kashama, Miller, Anderson, Doug Lawson, Mayor Doug Lawson, also Mrs. Hayes, and numerous, numerous, so many people that was involved in this. And kudos to all of you. We are on the move. We are on the move. And I just want to also reiterate that please, when you do have a chance to speak on what the question I raised for you, city manager Wilkins, please just let me know and let everybody wants to know why the decision to terminate Mr. Josh Neiman and also then a couple of days later, hiring him back. We need to know that, you know, just what went on. And our city is, you know, we are progressing. Maybe it's a little slower than people want it to happen, but we are progressing, you know. And we're a city that helps one another. And I just want to advise that let's just be kind to one another. We have to be kind to one another.

Thank you for your comments. Next public speaker.

Mister chair that was a lot of speaking us in the public comment. That was the last speaker that is in the public comment.

Okay, chair. Comfort woman surely live in there.

Let me ask a question about the emory issue what is what is what is the expectation for the city what could we do to manage what is it that was the attorney is not here. I'm trying to figure out what the ask is for the city.

Chair? Can I answer that?

The city manager doesn't know?

I am not familiar with the intricacies of this particular situation. Others on staff have been dealing with it. AND I THINK COUNCILPERSON SPHERES COULD ANSWER THAT QUESTION BETTER THAN I AT THIS TIME.

NEW SPEAKER SO, MS. WINN, COULD YOU GIVE ME SOME INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT THE CITY CAN DO? I THINK THAT THE INDIVIDUALS, YOU KNOW, COME TO THE MEETINGS AND THERE'S AN EXPECTATION OF WHAT THE CITY CAN DO, AND I WANT TO KNOW WHAT THAT IS.

NEW SPEAKER YES, MS. We have not looked into what the city can do. I know that they want homestead, the homestead exemption. However, when I know, and I know what the issue is that when the developer applied, he, he marketed it. My understanding is as residential units. However, when he applied to the city and I believe with the property appraiser's office, he did not categorize it as residential units. but as a wellness resort community. And that's why they have not received a homestead exemption.

Yes. Mr. Sermon did work on this issue regarding the change of the text. So there has been some work and I'm sorry, Dr. The chair, I would just want to know if I'm talking right now. Wait, wait. Yeah.

Let's let her finish and then hold on a second. I just want to ask the question because the individuals come to the meeting. And they've been here numerous times. I want to know what we can do as a city to be able to help them. And I want to get the information from the attorney and from the people who've been working on this. Mr. Sermon?

Chair, can I talk before Mr. Sermon speaks? First, I want to make it clear. I want to thank everyone from the Amarillo for showing up this evening. You've been going through hell. I understand that. And yes, you're correct. The city council is your only way to resolve your homestead issue right now. I held three town hall meetings in the Amrit. I had the city manager with me, I had Mr. Sermons with me, I had other staff people at the Amrit numerous times over the last two years, I guess, speaking about this and working. We've been working with George Gentile and he's been working with our city staff to try and come up with a resolution The building itself was built as a condo hotel. It was approved as a condo hotel by the city. By being a condo hotel, they were able to get additional units and have less parking. So more density, less parking because they're a hotel. Obviously that makes sense under our code. But that is not what the people who were purchasing or many of the people who were purchasing thought they were purchasing that. They thought they were getting a homesteaded unit or a unit that they could turn into a homesteaded unit. Clearly that is not the case unless we do some sort of text amendment. which we think we have the authority to do. So right now, I know Mr. Sermons has been working with Mr. Gentile over the last couple of years to come up with resolutions and how to use the MIOP program in order to convert these units to homesteaded units. So now, Mr. Sermons, if you could explain to us where you are now.

Yeah, because everything you just said, I know that. I wanted to see what Mr. Sermons and the city had going on so that I can know how we can help them. Go ahead, Mr. Sermons.

Thank you. Mr. Chair, if I may? Yes. For the record, Clarence Sermons, Director of Development Services for the City. Correct, as Ms. Attorney Wynn has summarized and the Vice Chair, there was a disconnect between what City Council initially approved here and the understanding of those purchasing it at the property. What is approved is a site plan and a zoning situation that classifies the units as a resort, uh, hotel suites, um, in order for those to be changed to classification of condominiums, it's not a set staff level decision. It is a decision of the board. Um, and so as alluded to earlier, it would require an application to make that conversion and the, uh, ordinance vehicle that allows that is the Mihawk code that allows conversion of resort hotel suites to condominiums. Uh, we have, um, been in talks with the agent of the emirate, Mr. Gentile. I have dedicated one of my highest level staff members to be the direct contact and oversee this situation to ensure it gets the attention and experience that it deserves for these residents. To date, we have not received an active application to bring forth. And that is something that we are maintaining contact with the agent and the residents to make sure that we get that as soon as possible. We did get an additional curveball with the last legislative session in Tallahassee that has called into question on the ordinance. So we're also working with legal to amend that as well. And that's been an additional speed bump in this process as well. But the communications are there, the dedicated staff are there, and we know what steps need to be taken. But those are where things stand at the moment.

So so it's it's so if you bring who has to bring the application.

The application will come from the residents.

So the residents bring the application and then we make that decision.

Right. And it was it is twofold. The there would need to be a site plan amendment for it. But based on the conversations, we expect the residents to apply for a text amendment as well.

So residents, are you going to submit the application? Because I mean, it appears that we can make some changes and if we have the right documents, I'm assuming to be able to do it, then we should do it.

Chair, hold on.

Hold on a second.

Councilwoman Lanier still has the floor.

So, Mr. Service, you're telling me that once they make the application, then we can make that decision in regards to changing it over?

You would have to decide on any amendments proposed to the ordinance. I UNDERSTAND THEY DO HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT SOME OF THE LANGUAGE IN THERE AND THAT THEY INTEND TO SUBMIT A TEXT AMENDMENT, WHICH, OF COURSE, TWO READINGS, AND THEN A SITE PLAN AMENDMENT, WHICH WOULD BE ONE.

NEW SPEAKER OKAY.

NEW SPEAKER VICE CHAIR. NEW SPEAKER CITY STAFF HAS BEEN WORKING DILIGENTLY WITH THE OWNERS AT THE AMREC AND THEIR RESIDENTS. I WILL BE MEETING WITH THE DEVELOPER THIS WEEK, HOPEFULLY that can resolve one of the speed bumps that we're going through right now. And I should admit that he has to meet with me. I didn't ask to meet with him. That's a good sign. And I think that we could wrap this up hopefully by the end of the summer. And these people can go back to being workers retirees and enjoying their beach and enjoying their life and enjoying our city so that should be our goal is to do whatever we have to do but that will not resolve obviously the construction issues that you brought up and the inspection issues you can certainly i know that mr sermons now has his staff doing inspections I would ask that you ask the fire department to go in there with you and do an inspection of the emergency exits because clearly that is a life safety issue and other life safety issues that might be there should be resolved and hopefully we can get a CFO for this building rather than a temporary CFO for I don't know three years or whatever that's kind of ridiculous hopefully we can resolve all these issues I believe the city will support you I think we can resolve your issues, or at least a good many of your issues, and hopefully we can do this by the end of the summer. At least that's my goal. I hope that my colleagues agree. Okay. Mr.

Chair. Wait, Mr. Mayor.

Mr. Wilkins, if you can get versed as quickly as possible on this situation, this issue, because it shouldn't be Dr. Spiritus as a policymaker taking the lead, because the rest of your board is not updated. I'VE BEEN TO MULTIPLE MEETINGS AND I'VE FOLLOWED IT, BUT THE ENTIRE BOARD NEEDS ALL THE INFORMATION. AND WITH THE FACT THAT THE BOARD DOESN'T HAVE THIS INFORMATION AND THE FACT THAT IT'S KIND OF WITH THE TRANSITION PERIOD, uh they're left in the blind so when this comes before the board they wouldn't have had this background information these details that's going to make it convoluted make the change or the support of this policy a little bit not structured because it's a board member that's taking the lead on the city manager and staff's role so while i appreciate his efforts in trying to get this done i think we need to be more aggressive on the staff side and if you can be versed and caught up on what's going on with the full details so we can have this presented to us as quickly as possible

Yes, sir. I have spoken briefly with Mr. Sermons. I have spoken with Councilperson Spiritus. And it'll just take me a short period of time to get up to date on this. Yes, sir.

So as soon as you're updated, I think that the rest of the board needs to be updated as well. And I know you're getting caught up with everything that's going on in the city, but that's kind of where the disconnect is, where some of the board is being blindsided because they haven't been versed on this.

chair thank you mr will okay um dr spiritus and then we're going to have to move on yeah i just want to respond to the mayor uh as you know district 4 is where the amrit is located that is my district when i see an issue in my district i respond to that issue as any of you can i had the city manager the former city manager and staff with me at every meeting they were making the discussions they could have They could have shared that information at any time with any board member that they wanted to, but they did not. but clearly it was in the newspapers, it was on TV. Every single member of this board could have come and met with members of the Amarant, but that did not happen. But I did represent the people that were in my district, as you do when there are issues in your districts. But I did not tell the city what to do or direct the city what to do. I was merely there as a legislator and a policymaker, and I was there to support the city manager and our staff when they were meeting with the Amarant.

MR. CHAIR, HE DID ASK A QUESTION. HE MADE A STATEMENT THAT I WANTED TO RESPOND TO. IT WASN'T A CONTENTIOUS COMMENT. I DON'T WANT YOU TO TAKE IT, MR. SPIRITUS, IN REFERENCE TO YOU DID SOMETHING NEFARIOUS OR OUTSIDE THE CODE. I WAS ASKING OUR CITY MANAGER TO BECOME VERSED ON IT SO THE ENTIRE BOARD COULD BE VERSED ON THE ENTIRE PROCESS. I APPRECIATE YOUR WORK AND YOUR EFFORT FOR TAKING THE LEAD IN YOUR DISTRICT. but every board member has to vote on this item that's coming before them so if they're not all updated you taking the lead is not going to help these residents get accomplished what they need done you're just going to have been one vote to get that done so i appreciate the efforts but if mr

wilkins our city manager can update the entire board and keep them pressed we can get this done as quickly as possible so noted so noted thank you mr chair thank you chair i do have to respond to that i mean clearly i have brought this up numerous times at our meetings this is not the first time the board is hearing about this uh i've questioned the city manager about it at the public meetings uh and it should have been taken up at that time this should have been done a long time ago but i'm glad that we're now going to

Everybody, you're noted. It's on the record. One thing that I want to see too, and we definitely want to address all these issues, I want to see the owner here publicly as well. We see y'all a lot. And I would like to see the owner here having an opportunity to respond to some of the allegations and accusations. And Mr. Wilkins, I don't know if we need to have a special meeting for the Emirates, but I do want both sides to be able to articulate their position publicly so that the public can hear both sides and what's going on. But I do want to arrange that fairly soon. and we'll do it through the city attorney. If there are any legal issues that are outstanding, we'll deal with those. But we have to move on tonight. OK, thank you very much, Mr. Sermon. Our next item is discussion. And thank you, residents, for coming out and speaking.

Just one quick thing, Chair, I'm sorry. Could we get an update at the next meeting about this and where we are?

Yes.

OK, very good.

And an update about bringing them both together publicly. So each would have an opportunity to articulate their case and position. Okay. The next item is discussion of time limit on presentations.

Mr. Chair, we do have one public comment card on this item. The acceptance of the cards is closed.

Okay. Let's call a public comment card. You're welcome.

Thank you. The speaker is Fain Lozman.

This is item 12 B discussion of time limit on presentation.

Aim was normally there would be some guideline as to what the time limit should be. I didn't see any backup as to what the proposal.

No, this is something that I put on the agenda as the chair that I wanted to discuss with the board regarding the amount of time that presentations take out of our business meeting. And maybe we need to consider a different option because they are worthy presentations. And they're very deserving. But I think there needs to be another venue. And we do business over here. And we have a time that we do the presentations separate from our business.

I think one of the things that came up with the SOFR project on that narrow lot, when you have a developer coming in to put a couple hundred million dollars into a project, I think you don't leave it till 10, 11 o'clock at night when they came down from Miami up here, that's the project on Singer Island where they wanted to get a variance for the top five floors in Turnberry. So I think my suggestion is when you have somebody going to put hundreds of millions of dollars in the city, you have a special meeting just to deal with that project. Because these people got to drive back to Miami at 11 o'clock at night. They were here twice. I've heard nothing else about the project. Every day that goes by, inflation hits these people. You know, they want to put a couple hundred million bucks into Singer Island. We need that tax revenue given what's going on in November. Somebody should call a special meeting, bring them back, and get that done. So when you have big development, like the Marina project that was related, give a standalone meeting for that. That's all we're going to focus on. We're not going to have any awards for an hour. We're not going to have any public comments about the city, we're going to deal just with your project. So you could say, you can have a limit, like any project over $50 million, you get your own special meeting and we've got to have the second special meeting. It's our pleasure. Cause you're going to put hundreds of millions of dollars of property value on the tax rolls. And our objective is to get you to do that right away before you say, you know, something, screw it. We're not, we'll go do it in another city that appreciates us that nobody's got back to Turnberry. is unbelievable. I mean, Jeff Sofer, he did the Fountain Blue project in Las Vegas. He owns the Fountain Blue Hotel in Miami Beach. They've done like 50 or 100 big projects. They want to come here and we're fighting over eight feet? I mean, it's ridiculous. We need the money. In November, they're going to pass a law on the ballot where it's going to raise the homestead exemption to $250,000, $300,000. you need to bring in that revenue. And anybody that's going to come with that kind of project, you got to have a standalone meeting, approve it and say, hit the road and let's start building the project before recession hits. And then they think of where you come in.

Okay. The item at hand. We've been sometimes spending an hour on presentations at a business meeting. I've been getting some calls from people who love the presentations. And I agree, but they think that they need to be done at a different time from our business meeting. These presentations bring out the show, the best talent that we have sometimes in our community. They are needed. They are wanted. But is it at our business meeting, the appropriate venue? I think not. I would like to start our meetings at 530. Just to do presentations, we start on USD meetings at 530. We have 30 minutes. It'll be a hard stop with me at six as long as I'm the chair. And I think that it would give them more focus and attention instead of. thinking about that we still, for me, we still have an agenda of business that we have to do and how long we're going to have to be here. And I think that it would be better received when that's all we have are presentations for that half an hour, or if y'all want to come in at five o'clock. But I do think that it needs to be a separate venue for presentations, because now it's beginning to be an hour and plus in presentations. And council meetings, we're here to handle business. And there are a lot of people that want to hear the business. I think the presentations are very, very good and necessary, but just probably need to be done at a good time. Now, comments from the colleagues.

Chair.

Yes, Councilwoman Shirley Lanier.

I think that maybe the first meeting that we have in the month, you know, it's the first and third Wednesday that the first meeting we have no presentations and that we put, you know, A REGIONAL AMOUNT OF PRESENTATIONS ON THE SECOND MEETING THAT WE HAVE. THE FIRST MEETING IS ALL ABOUT BUSINESS. IT'S THE FIRST OF THE MONTH. WE FOCUS ON THE BUSINESS OF THE CITY. AND THEN THE NEXT MEETING, WHICH IS THE THIRD WEDNESDAY, WE HAVE A REGIONAL AMOUNT OF PRESENTATIONS. AND WE JUST PLAY IT LIKE THAT.

MR.

CHAIR. OKAY. THAT'S A SUGGESTION. ANY OTHER SUGGESTIONS?

YES.

COUNCILWOMAN MILLER-ANDERSON.

Since we have added the one I really want to hear from. Oh, wonderful. I'm glad you want to hear from me. So the extra day or the fourth Wednesday, I think it is that you all voted on when we're holding a U.S. meeting. I know the U.S. meeting will not take a very long time. I mean, it's not going to take it typically does not take three, four hours. So that I don't know sometimes they're going to be going to that. That's a very serious meeting. They don't always be that long, though. They don't be the same as a city council meeting. No, but talk about me.

That's a suggestion. That's what. Yeah. So, yeah, I want to generate some discussion of how to deal with the picture or the way we have it now. I don't think it's a good thing.

I'm sorry.

Come to one Miller Anderson has the floor.

The 4th with. The 4th now the 3rd Wednesday you were talking about using to do it on that day of the 3rd Wednesday along with the City Council meeting right but not make that meeting as long as the 1st. Exactly.

Or or you could. Dedicate the 5th Wednesday if there is one. For presentation.

Now, what about what happens in between the two? I'm sure that with all that is going on here, Councilwoman Miller, Anderson and the mayor are going to have some type of activity going on that they go. No, not just every meeting. You don't do it.

And it's two minutes, minus two minutes.

Oh, no. Yeah, you do.

Once a month.

OK. But you're not to wait. Vice chair. Spiritist has the floor. And we're going to wrap this up. We're not going to take too long.

Chair, I like the conversation that we've been having. I think we can do a combination. I think it should be, as Councilwoman Lanier said, the third Wednesday we should dedicate to presentations. But we should probably start at 5 o'clock. instead of 530. So we can get it all done before six. So we don't hit a six o'clock and you only did half the presentations. So we could start at five o'clock and do that every every third Wednesday.

Mr.

Chair. I heard Councilwoman Hilda Anderson and then Councilwoman Davis-Vanier.

Yeah, I'm not retired yet. So, I would appreciate. And we have our public that have to work too. So, can we keep them in mind when we make any time?

So, 5.30 is the earliest you could make it here?

That would be the earliest, yes.

Or we can start the council meeting at 6.30 that day. 5.30 to 6.30 on the 5th or 3rd Wednesday. Councilwoman.

So my question was, I'm okay with the third Wednesday, but because we'll be missing that first Wednesday, is it going to be triple the amount of presentations? So therefore it's going to be longer. Are you giving time limits or what have you?

Yeah, still time limit. Well, the total time would be an hour. I would suggest time limits for each presentation, but it's up to the board. um i don't see why any presentation should go over 10 minutes that's a lot of time um but it's the boy's decision yeah i think that has to be considered just because if we're not doing it twice twice a month or every month then you're going to have triple amounts and we know that that would only accommodate six presentations in an hour

we limit it to six ten minutes um but we've got to get some control sure yes i think five minutes is plenty of time we limited uh the speaker tonight the president the presenter tonight uh dr conacelli we limited him to five minutes he was he was limited he was told he can only have five minutes to speak tonight i think he kind of exceeded it but okay yeah it's close yeah yeah he exceeded

OKAY. SO ARE WE MOVING TOWARD THE THIRD WEDNESDAY STARTING AT WHAT TIME? CAN YOU GET HERE SOONER THAN 530?

I SAY, YEAH, 530 FOR THE THIRD WEDNESDAY. AND I SAY THREE MINUTES. BECAUSE WHAT YOU CAN'T DO IN THREE MINUTES.

Talk to your colleague to your left. Councilwoman Miller-Anderson.

Today was the first day.

No, you had 17 at the last meeting.

They graduated.

Okay, but it wasn't the first day.

But how often do we have that? I mean, we don't do that every month.

I know, but I'm just saying. It wasn't your first. Okay, but it's very worthy, very necessary.

But this is the thing, though. Every third Wednesday already is when the youth council does give their update. And we know that is just a simple little PowerPoint, and they just say what they've done the previous month. Okay. So five minutes would be fine. Three minutes, I mean, come on.

Okay. Five minutes? Okay. I mean, that's reasonable.

We've done that before. But here's my other question, though. Sometimes we have presentations that come similar to, like, a workshop, I guess. Sometimes we do.

Like the mobility, they went way too long.

Huh?

The mobility presentation. Yeah, something like that. No.

No, I'm not asking for 30 minutes. But I'm just saying it's something that is going to come up. when we get ready to vote on that.

If it's a business presentation, maybe we'll go 10 if they need it. 10. Yeah, 10 or 15. Business presentation.

Right, right, right. If it's more than five minutes, then it should be under discussion.