Congratulations to Mayor Litt and Vice Mayor Reed

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At the April 2021 City Council Meeting, the results of the Special Election were certified, and newly-elected Council Member Marcie Tinsley was sworn-in.  Council Member Marciano nominated Rachelle Litt as the new Mayor and Chelsea Reed as Vice-Mayor and both were confirmed by the Council.  Former-Mayor Carl Woods was ill and not in attendance.  Congratulations and best wishes to Mayor Litt and Vice Mayor Reed, and returning Council Member Tinsley.

There was no video of the meeting, and there were audio disruptions as well on the livestream.  Here is a link to the complete audio with no gaps.

Comments from the Public:

• Former Mayor Joe Russo – He congratulated Mayor Litt, Vice-Mayor Reed, Council Member Tinsley, County Commissioner (former-Mayor) Marino and the entire council and said that Covid kept him from coming to meetings.  He also thanked the City on behalf of the Honda Classic
• Agustin Sosa, VP of the Palm Beach State College Student Body Association – Gardens location, thanked the Council and City Staff for the positive working relationship on security/traffic issues.

City Manager Report:

• PBG Cares and Mortgage Assistance Program – status of the applications – submittals are coming in.  To apply see here.
• Burns Rd Rec Center Vaccination Site – Just over 9000 doses so far in 12 days.  Starting to open 4 days – M, T, TH and F – Moderna doses – administered by the the Healthcare District of Palm Beach County.
• Par 3 19-hole golf course status – received 7 proposals for design, Jack Niklaus design team chosen and in negotiations
• Mobility Fees dispute with Palm Beach County – City has received 3 letters of support for their position, (from North County Chamber, PGA Corridor and TPA) and against the County’s plan to place liens on private property owners.  The item will be held on the April 20 Board of County Commissioners’ Agenda and Ferris recommends that Mayor Litt address the Commission and present the letters of support.  He also suggested that he and City Attorney Lohman also attend.
• Granted an additional 90 extension to the outdoor seating exemptions.  Now will allow through the end of June.  See here for more information.
• Brightline RR Crossing closures: all are complete except for Kyoto Gardens Dr. which will be closed from April 21 to May 16.
• The American Recovery Act – The City expects $5.92 million from the recent federal legislation.  While the ‘grants’ are expected to be given to the City in two block – the first of $2.96 million by 5/10/21 and the same amount 1 year later, the City is awaiting more detailed communications from the Secretary of the Treasury.

Consent Agenda:  Passed 4:0

Ordinances and Resolutions:

• Ordinance 4, 2021 – Budget Amendment – Finance Administrator Allan Owens, presented a summary of the amendment, which is done every year to reconcile the prior year’s budget with the current one.  His charts can be seen here.  Passed 4:0
• Resolution 23, 2021 – AIPP  for Alton Town Center and Resolution 24, – AIPP for Downtown Palm Beach Gardens.  Both passed 4:0.  Former Mayor Eric Jablin made public comment on the first item, saying that he had been chosen Chair of the AIPP.  Joel Engelhardt published an in-depth piece on both sculpture project in his blog OnGardens.Org entitled Meet your new neighbors: Council welcomes Tekno and The Blooms.

Items for Council Actions/Discussion and Items of Interest:

• The Council reassigned primary and alternate members of various external Boards and Committees
• Mayor Litt said that she wanted to bring back Board and Committee Reports to the monthly agenda
• Mayor Litt said that she wanted to ‘share the truth’ about the status of the Covid-19 Pandemic and gave her perspectives on both the current statistics and the actions the public should still be taking.  One of the key items was to get vaccinated.  Council Member Marciano said that while most of his patients are getting the vaccine, he is encouraging those who are reluctant to do so as well.

There was no City Attorney Report.