The Face of the City

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Council members demonstrated different sensitivities at the beginning of April’s City Council meeting. Mayor Marino wanted to alter the agenda to bring forward Presentations.  Council Member Lane requested that the Reorganization be brought forward since he had to leave in observation of Passover.  Council Member Marciano was in support of Lane’s request.  Council Member Woods was quick to reply that he felt the Presentations should be remain as Marino suggested – which would have explicitly disenfranchized Lane from the Reorganization vote.   Council Member Litt was concerned about how long the reorganization might take. All were deferring to the Mayor. Before she could decide, State Representative Roth, who was part of the presentation agenda, piped in and broke up the hesitation by saying that he had no problem waiting and the issue was resolved to allow the Reorganization to occur first.

Marciano nominated Mayor Marino as Mayor, Litt seconded it – both citing stability for the City. Woods spoke in support of the choice describing Ms. Marino as the ‘Face of the City’ over the last year. The vote was unanimous, and Council Member Marino was ‘re-elected’ as Mayor.  Lane nominated Marciano for Vice Mayor; Marino countered with Woods. The issue was resolved when Council Member Marciano withdrew his name from consideration and Carl Woods was ‘elected’ Vice-Mayor.

Both State Representative Rick Roth and Mat Forrest gave summaries of the legislative session, and City Manager Ferris, along with Forrest and Roth praised Elicia Sanders, Assistant to the City Manager for her involvement in the process. Renee Gold, a Manager at Publix on Northlake, and Kamilla Soares, Paramedic saved the life of a woman who had passed out in the Publix with CPR. For their quick response and action, the two were awarded the City’s Citizen Lifesaving Award. Also recommended was the PulsePoint medical app that monitors and alerts to emergencies. Residents were encouraged to learn hands-free CPR; classes are offered at Fire/Rescue on the third Thursday of every month. See the Palm Beach Posts coverage of the presentation.

The March 13 Elections results were declared and approved 4:0.

Comments From the Public included:

• Tom DeRita, representing Steeplechase, spoke about the community’s concerns regarding FDOT plans
• Maxine Cheesman introduced herself as candidate for Palm Beach County Circuit Court Judge
• Paula Magnuson handed in letters to the Council, to the Clerk – expressing concerns about her censorship by the City (which was confirmed by the City Manager later)

City Manager Ferris began his report by saying that the previously proposed meeting with FDOT and the Steeplechase Community would be moved until June 7th at 6pm. He then, claiming reluctance, started a disturbing 35 minute presentation entitled “Council Directive From February 2018 Council Meeting”.  Residents should read “Imperious Staff Publicly Bullies Two Gardens Residents” to see how staff considers residents who are dissatisfied with their treatment.

The Consent Agenda and Ordinance 2, 2018 regarding regulations for Home Solitication Sales Passed 4:0.   Nuvo Business Center’s proposed AIPP (Art in Public Places) statue by Mark Fuller raised concerns by the Council that it would be magnet for children attempting to scale the statue  . Staff and Fuller agreed to work together to come up with a satisfactory solution with statue and landscaping modifications.

Charter Questions will once again be on the Ballot during the August 28th Primary.  Resident Jane Feinstein spoke in favor of extending the term limits from two to three consecutive terms.  Both Council Members Litt and Marciano suggested that the questions related to the base Charter be broken out into a few separate questions, and that Charter Reviews remain in the Charter. City Attorney Lohman said that he’d already decided to do the latter and planned to create questions that would be immune to those who ‘litigate for sport’. Question 2 would be re-drafted as well. While SOE Bucher at first rejected the City’s request, two other municipalities – Lake Worth and Boca Raton were also going to require ballot questions, so she relented.

The schedule is as follows:

• April 19 – City Council Special Meeting at 6PM to review and vote on First Reading of proposed referendum questions
• May 3 – City Council Meeting – 2nd Reading and Adoption of proposed referendum questions
• May 11 – Deadline to transmit the ballot language to the Supervisor of Elections for inclusion on the August 28, 2018 ballot

Items for Council Action and Discussion included a few adjustments to external boards and committees, as well as discussion of a resolution to be sent to FDOT regarding issues related to Steeplechase.  But of additional resident interest were two topics that will be on future agendas:

• Council Member Litt suggested that the City prepare a resolution, as have other municipalities in Florida, regarding regulation of assault weapons. Council Member Marciano was in support of the preliminary steps the legislature and Governor had taken, was proud of the Parkland students actions, seconded his opposition to assult weapons, and voiced his concerns about safety not just in the schools but in other public places. City Manager Ferris felt that this should be a future agenda item with full Council attendance and the opportunity for public comment and development of a clear directive.  Council agreed.
• Council Member Marciano suggested that sometime in the next few months the Council should discuss a succession/transition plan, to be worked out prior to the following April reorganization meeting.  Council Member Woods liked the idea and suggested that there be public input into who should be Mayor and Vice Mayor.