yes good evening everyone welcome to this special meeting this regular Commission meeting of the Delray Beach City Commission but it is a special meeting because we are having the honor tonight to swear in our newest Commissioner Judy Monson we're excited about you joining us up here and it's in a few moments you can relax you have you right right over here so you can watch it we were keeping you we're Commissioner marker just keeping it warm for you he's got a little thing down there so and I and I also see in the audience I want to not to admit to mention back to the chamber now representative Rob Long back over here we have former Mayor Jay Alperin tonight and we have Reverend John and we have Reverend Johnson of the Mount Alla Baptist Church we don't see very often so we're all getting started if you could all of you have the court could please take the role and also another commissioner will be will be sworn in Angela Burns I forgot all about you but
you don't have to change chairs you can speak it's here Commissioner eternal true ourselves is first you are not appointed you are not elected without the people so all your decisions should reflect all the residents of the city of Derry Beach and my last statement is remember back in the day Atlanta Avenue was filled with black businesses and we do desire to see that one day so in your mind if you talk about West Atlanta Avenue and want to take it from a neighborhood when it's been the valuable asset to it you're wrong and do what's right for the people thank you thank
you everybody Marjorie Waldo I do not have a written speech but I have a present this is a very difficult job that you do I want you to consider and there's one for you Miss Clark as well take one and pass come see a show and relax and then if you would be kind enough to to pass these free we don't charge anybody for them so you don't have to claim them just pass them down everybody gets one these are stress microphones and I suspect I think I got it all the way to you miss Jelen I'm not sure you should have one did I leave enough no you got another one okay good I want you to know that you squeeze on the stress microphone come see a show and keep doing the amazing job that you're doing thank you so much thank you very much those are
my name is Chuck Ridley and my zip code is 33444 I wear many hats tonight my hat is a citizen that just witnessed one of the best election cycles I've witnessed this election cycle all candidates who chose to run look to bring the city together as opposed to seeing us divided I can't even begin to express how much I appreciate it now the right candidates did win but any candidate in this cycle that would have got to sit with you all would have been the right candidate I hope this election cycle sets the tone for the next and all the elections to come Delray is a special place let's be the prototype for all communities we can run hard for election without dividing and being bitter at the end thank you to the candidates and I want to yeah we'll see how this plays out this time
thank you very much good afternoon my name is Ernestine Holliday I live in 33444 zip code to the powers that be you whispered you whispered to our community you can't withstand the storm the set community whispered back to you we are the storm we did not beg for this success we work for it and we hope that you understand that we work for it and we want results thank you very much seeing no other members
of the public wishing to speak or unless you are you're migrating up to the lectern here yes okay
good afternoon everyone congratulations on the new administration your name is zip code mary rose o'connell 33483 I just want to thank the city commissioner missioners and the mayor for the Delray golf course I think that place will bring more opportunity to young people that have no advantage of being there and it really touches me with the achievement center perhaps they could have a segue there and that these young kids can learn to golf all over the community I know it was expensive but I think what happens when kids learn a sport and get off the street or whatever it it's a tribute to the city so thank you very
much thank you very much soon Jennifer Jones 3 3 4 4 4 the mayor as mayor commissioners I want to say congratulations to our newly re-elected commissioner and our new commissioner elect um Commissioner Monica I want to say that as a representative of the Asian community bonjour bonsoir chaque passé because I don't find myself entering a room without speaking for my community and the Haitian community I want to first say thank you to every commissioner who's made a commitment to continue to support the community to continue to allow its residents to feel safe and protected in our community I know that um years ago Delray um made a commitment to this president to make sure that everyone understand that they are wanted and welcome regardless of how some laws or bills statute have passed to make people live in fear I know that many immigrants live in fear in Florida and South Florida but I appreciate the fact that Delray Beach has worked really hard to protect this residents I want to um ask you to renew your commitment to our community to the Haitian residents that are living here and that are working hard that we live work and play in Delray give our all our all to the city many employees of the city our Haitian our residents our children in school and they are waiting for us they're looking at us as leaders and community activists to make sure that we create an environment that is safe for them and I thank you um everyone who's when I address them and I mean every member of this commission um new and existing I've already always um showed its support and its willingness to continue to uh be an ally to the Haitian community and I hope that we can continue working together I see uh great things happening in Delray I've lived in Delray for over 30 years and it's changed a lot and it will continue to change in the coming 30 years and I'm hoping that we can do that together and continue to um foster a space of inclusivity of um thoughtfulness and a place where we continue to love Delray the way I love Delray thank you
thanks are there any other members of the public wishing to to speak in public comment seeing none public comment is closed now the fun part the oath of office to be administered to the newly elected city commissioner members for the following seats Judy Mollica commissioner for seat number two and Angela Burns for commission as commissioner for seat number four we will start with I guess with Judy Mollica do you have someone here to swear you in or you do perfect oh well of course
i figured reverend johnson you were here for a reason but yeah and we got the we got your family
up up behind you on the screen watching can you all see it where you are and then do you see it all
they're in Denmark prior to swelling it in let me say to the commission i'm not here often but i want you all to know that you are a wonderful group and you've done a marvelous job keep looking to the hills for when it's come with your help and all things will fall for you so my blessing to hear with you each one god bless them it's good to see you all right thanks uh judy uh and to the audience you have just elected one of the most wonderful persons in the world i say that because she's a member of the monologue baptist church so so so is her first man mark so uh judy moniker would you state your name do you solemnly uh swear or affirm uh that you will support and protect and defend the constitution of the government of the united states i only swear and affirm for the constitution of the
government of the united states and the state of florida and the state of florida and the city of delray
beach and the city of delray beach and that i am duly qualified i am and i'm duly qualified to hold this office to hold this office under the laws of the state of florida under the laws of the state of florida and the charter and laws of the city of delray and that i will well and faithfully perform those duties and that i will well and faithfully perform those duties of commissioner of this city of
I am a commissioner of this city.
Upon which I am about to enter.
Upon which I am about to enter.
So help me God.
So help me God.
Praise the Lord.
Congratulations, Commissioner Malika. There's now an empty seat in the front if anybody's looking for an extra spot. And I now have the honor for the oath of office to be administered to Angela Burns. Do you have someone here to administer your oath? I do. Okay. Yes, you do.
We invite Ms. Burns' family to come close. Yes. I'm honored and proud to be the one of the city of the oath of office. It's okay. I'm about to cry again. I'm not going to do it this time. I didn't lash you. I'm not crying this year. But I want to say on behalf of the set and the city of Delray and all here how proud we are of you, our champion, our leader, and our fierce commander, Ms. Burns, repeat after me. I, in your name, do solemnly swear that I will support, protect, and defend. That I will support, protect, and defend the Constitution and the government of the United States.
The Constitution and the government of the United States.
And of the state of Florida.
And of the state of Florida.
And of the city of Delray Beach.
And of the city of Delray Beach.
That I am duly qualified to hold office.
That I am duly qualified to hold office.
Under the laws of the state of Florida.
Under the laws of the state of Florida. and the charter and the laws of the city of Delray Beach.
And that I will well and faithfully
and that I will well and faithfully
perform the duties of commissioner of the city
perform the duties of commissioner of the city
upon which I am about to enter
upon which I am about to enter.
So help me God.
So help me God.
Congratulations Commissioner Burns.
Thank you.
We now are going to perform a second roll call because we have newly elected commissioners who have taken their seat whose terms officially ended a few moments ago. Yes? Which daughter? Your daughter wants to say something?
Oh, she does. Okay.
Well, okay. We are live from Denmark. If we can get the picture back.
I see a little corner of it in here. There we go.
Oh, hi, girl. All right. Your mother is up here, so.
Hi, everyone. Can you hear us?
Yes, we can.
A big congratulations. We're so proud over here from Denmark.
Surprise! Congratulations!
Thank you very much.
Thank you. I know.
I love it.
We now are going to have a second swearing in because we now have the two newly seated whose terms ended a few moments ago as commissioner. So if the clerk could please read the roll.
Commissioner Margaret.
Here.
Commissioner Malika. Here. Commissioner Cassow. Here. Commissioner Burns. Here. Mayor Carney.
Here.
We have a quorum.
Congratulations. Now we're going to go through the rest of the agenda items which is largely ministerial things, choosing different positions for different people. First will be the selection of the vice mayor for the term commencing March 26, 2026 today and March 25, 2027. So I'm sorry. Could I nominate Mr.? You want to be recognized?
Thank you. I'd like to nominate Ms. Burns as vice mayor. Okay.
I was going to nominate Mr. Markert and it's no disrespect to Ms. Burns but she did serve a short term and we had agreed we were trying to do it evenly. He goes to every other. She actually never served.
She was always deputy vice mayor. She was never made vice mayor. Oh, we didn't move you up? No, we didn't move you up. We never made her. Oh, I apologize.
I thought we jumped you up.
No, we didn't do it. No. Some people in the community did but we never did officially.
We never did officially. Honestly, I apologize. I thought we moved on.
But you never complained about it which is great.
I'm not a complainer.
I just want what's right for me now.
So are you making a motion or?
I guess I'll withdraw it. I thought she'd serve that term.
Okay.
So we have a motion. If there are no other motions and can we have a call? Do we need to call the roll? Are all in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Congratulations, vice mayor. We now have the selection of the deputy vice mayor for the term also March 26, 2026 to March 25, 2027. I'd like to make a nomination. Commissioner Casale. Thank you. Okay. Are there any other nominations?
I appreciate that. Thank you. I was going to nominate Commissioner Marker because technically it's his turn.
Technically it's your turn.
I would agree with that.
Huh?
I would definitely agree with that.
So I nominate Commissioner Marker.
I would second that. We have one nomination. Are you withdrawing your nomination?
You can withdraw your nomination.
Okay. Then we have one nomination.
I have to nominate you, Mr. Marker.
Are you?
Yeah.
Do we only have one nomination?
I'm seconding that he nominated. He withdrew. I seconded her nomination.
Not required, but thank you very much. It's my pleasure. So all in favor for Commissioner Tom Marker as deputy vice mayor? Aye. Any opposed? You should have said no. I don't know if you can. All that is correct. Congratulations, Deputy Vice Mayor Marker. Thank you, guys. Appointment of the chair and vice chair of the Community Redevelopment Agency.
I think I'm next up for the chair because I was in the rotation. I like that.
Well, I think he was the deputy.
It was deputy, but I'll nominate Ms. Giselle.
Thank you. I appreciate that. Thank you.
Are there any other nominations for the, do you have any, you're seeking to be recognized? Do you have any nominations? No. Okay.
Thank you.
Then we have one nomination. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Thank you. Okay. Appointment, we now need an appointment. Vice chair for the Community Redevelopment Agency.
I think I should nominate Ms. Mollica at this point since we've all gotten a nomination here.
That's fine. Do we have any other nominations? Then I need a motion to, are there any vote? All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Congratulations. Vice chair of the Community Redevelopment Agency. Mollica. Designation of the Delegate to the Palm Beach County League of Cities. You have been doing such a great job, and I would be just as happy if you continue to do that. I'm happy to pass the gavel and make that nomination if you would like to keep it.
I'll nominate her if you like you.
I'll nominate her. Does anybody else want to do it? Does anybody else want to do it?
You've done an amazing job, I agree. Oh, thank you so much. Bring it up. Bring it up. Carry it.
Then we'd like you to carry on. So we have one nomination, and that's for Vice Mayor Angela Burns, who sit as our representative to the Palm Beach County League of Cities. Can we have all in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? We are moving right along. The designation of the Palm Beach Metropolitan Planning Organization, the MPO member and alternate. Mayor. Hold on.
You need an alternate. I need an alternate for the League of Cities? For the League of Cities.
Oh, who would like to be? Is there anybody who would like to be the alternate?
I'd volunteer to be the alternate in her absence.
Okay, so we have one person volunteering to be the alternate. Anybody else want to volunteer to be the alternate? Then I need a vote to approve Commissioner Julie Casale as the alternate as a representative to the Palm Beach County League of Cities. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Good. Everybody's moving right along. Now we have the designation of the Palm Beach Metropolitan Planning Organization, MPO member and alternate. This was originally Commissioner Long's position, and Mr. Markert was the alternate who's nobly filled in. I've cleaned it up, Rob. Yeah. I would love to do that. Huh? Does he want to stay? But I think he would like to continue. Yeah, let's nominate him. So if there's any issues, I'd like a nomination to have him continue. I'll nominate Mr. Markert.
I appreciate that service.
Okay, any other nominations? All in favor? Aye. Any opposed?
Congratulations. Commissioner Markert. I'd like to nominate Ms. Mollico as the alternate. Okay. If you'd be up for that.
I'd be happy to. Thank you.
Any other nominations for alternate?
No, thank you.
All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Great. Congratulations. Alternate. All right, now we have the review of the proclamation guidelines. I don't know whether you have a chance to read these proclamation guidelines. There is, I think that.
Can we move that for another day?
I would like to actually, I'm going to ask if we could actually postpone that for another day because I do think that the number of proclamations and things and the reasons, when I read what we give proclamations for in our rules and in the code, we seem to be, we have expanded that list by use but not by written word. So I would like to actually have a discussion on that further to see how we really want to adopt the proclamation policy. Does anybody have any objection to that?
Can we just put it for a date certain so we don't forget to do it? Yeah.
But that's fine.
April 21st. Perfect. I'm sorry? April 21st.
That's fine. That's fine.
So moved. All right.
Do we have a second? Yes? Second. All in favor? Aye. Great. All right. Proposed city commission meeting dates for 2026 and 2027. You've all had an opportunity to review them. Anybody have any changes?
I was going to do what I did last year and move them all around to give us breaks. If the way this schedule is working, we don't have any period of time. You travel quite a bit. I have a child.
Well, we've got the last two weeks of June are free. The last two weeks of September are free.
No, but we can manipulate this and give ourselves a break. Like we can move June 2nd to 9th and give ourselves off from the – I have a lot of dates. If you want me to produce it and maybe if you want to vote it in next time or do you want me to read it out now?
Well, let's just – let's approve the April dates if nobody has any changes to those, and then we can come back and do the balance.
Okay. All right. So let's – The 7th and the 21st then? Okay. Okay.
We have a motion to create the dates of April 7th and April 21st as our initial dates for the commission. Do we have a second?
Second.
All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? So we're going to – also at the meeting on – you're not going to be here on the 7th, but really by the 21st we need to be – so I think on the 21st you'll be prepared?
Absolutely. And what I would suggest if anyone has a date certain that they would like to be out of here, send it to me and I'll make it work in the schedule.
I'll have a 5.30. No, no. Date certain.
Not time certain.
Date certain.
I'll get on that and I'll have that. So this one's going to be as possible to the 21st. Yes.
Okay. So you will be circulating. And anybody else, please take a look at the calendar. And if there's any dates, you know, of a wedding, if you know of a – you know, you have to go to Denmark because it's a cheap fare. I understand how that works.
Let me know and I'll work it into the schedule so we can have a really –
So we could manage those dates. I mean, I do agree that it's nice to have, as we do at the end of June, we have – there's like two weeks, two weeks free there. It takes us to the – and it's the end of September.
And typically we do throw a workshop in or something, but just even the idea, you could kind of plan a little bit ahead and say this is what I like to do in the course of the year.
I'm just – I have the end of June and end of September. I don't care what you do with the rest of the day. Okay.
Text – email me that so I have that. Fine. I'm happy to do that.
Thank you. So that's item 14. Number 15 is review and adoption of the Delray Beach City Commission local rules and procedures and quasi-judicial rules. We had talked about amending one of the rules as it relates to rebuttals. Yes. Cross-examination. Well, cross-examination. Yes. Excuse me. And do you want to articulate that? Have you discussed it with the other commissioners?
Pretty much. I think at one of the meetings we had a quasi-judicial hearing and the applicant indicated that they wanted to cross-examine all of the public speakers that had come forward. And the rule isn't exactly clear. It talks about one minute and we kind of had a little bit of a back and forth. Obviously, I think the intent was one minute per person, but it's not clear here. So we just want to make this as clear as possible for people who come forward so they understand the rules.
Okay. That's fine. As long as that rule does not apply to a cross-examination of the city.
So, sorry. The rule currently says is cross-examination shall be limited to two minutes.
Right.
So do you want me to write two minutes per person for each person to be cross-examined?
I mean, I thought we were trying to reduce it to one minute.
We can do one minute. I mean, one minute's really short.
All right. Well, okay, two minutes.
I think it should be two minutes per person.
And obviously, if somebody needs additional time, it's at the discretion of the board. So they can always ask for additional time.
So how long of a period are we giving them then for the cross-examination? Is it a total of ten minutes? I mean, we should put a limit on how long cross can take place.
So you can do two minutes for each person to be cross-examined for a total of ten minutes if you want to do it that way.
Okay. Because that would give. That would allow for five people.
Is ten. Should we make it 15?
I'm just saying, if they want to cross-examine ten people, they have to do it all within ten minutes. I agree. I think make it 15 minutes just for fairness. But if they still can't do it for more than two minutes for one person.
Well, 15 is the entire presentation time limit. It's 20 minutes for the presentation. That is 15.
Isn't it? But this is. 15.
I just want to confirm that the cross-examination does not apply to the applicant cross-examining the city or the city cross-examining the applicant.
I can make that distinction.
I just think the city and the applicant ought to be able to cross with each other as opposed to what it is to a witness.
So you just want to strictly apply to members of the public who appear for public comment during the quasi-judicial hearing. They can only be cross-examined? Right.
Yeah, I would think that yes.
Or the two minutes. No, the time limit only applies to them is what he's saying. Not that they can only be cross-examined.
Yeah, because the applicant in the city are different, you know.
So two minutes for people who speak during public comment. Right.
Okay.
And so did we say 15 minutes or?
No, we said a total of 10 minutes for the cross-examinations. 10 is mine. I just said in public, I think. 15 minutes for the presentations.
Yeah. Or a total of 10 minutes, I'll say.
Or a total of 10 minutes, right.
Okay. All right. So I'll make that change. Are there any other changes?
All right. So we have that proposed rule changed. Do we need a motion to approve the local rules? As amended. As amended.
So moved. Second? Second.
All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Great. We're right along. Good. Now, we're going into the regular meeting. This is very exciting. We have a consent agenda. Are there any items on this consent agenda, which really, there's not much to it, but all proclamations and things such as that, which we are going to be dealing with. So are there any amendments to the consent agenda? Then I need a motion to approve the consent agenda.
So moved. Second.
All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Great. All right. Now we have, we're coming to the portion of the REF. Some of you in this room participated in the visioning 20 to 35 process. We hired a company called REF Telus to conduct all those meetings, including initial meetings with the steering committee and a final meeting with some hundred and some odd residents of the city of Delray Beach. This is their report, which they have sent to the city, and the commissioners all have received a copy. This is their initial report as to, you know, the scope of what they have found and where they think we're going. There will be, there is also discussions in a month from now, bringing the groups back that participated with an opportunity to kind of go through it as well. So with that in mind, turning it over to REF Telus. Your name and for the record, please.
Yes, sir. Good evening. Cheryl Trent with REF Telus. I'm your neighbor, just a little bit south of here in Cape Coral. It was a pleasure to drive over. I spent some time in the city, contributed my sales tax dollars, so I try to every time I come. Thank you. I want to thank the mayor and the commissioners. I want to particularly thank the community members and the steering committee members that helped so dramatically shape this plan for the Vision 2035. I'd like to give you a brief overview. I know you have the full report, which is some 72-odd pages long. I will not read that to you, but you did also have a PowerPoint associated with this presentation that I would like to just kind of go briefly through to hit the highlights. So first, congratulations. This is hard work, and there are a lot of people in the community that put their time and effort into it, and it's never easy to come together and talk about issues that you feel very passionate about and to try to make sure that those issues are part of the future agenda of Delray Beach. Your community did an excellent job of engaging, of having really insightful and thoughtful communications. I know many of you stepped in and out during that time frame to kind of check in and see, and there were several people who had experience and background doing this kind of work, which was also helpful to us at Raftelis. Our team was comprised of Michelle Ferguson, who was here on the ground. I was here several times, and you had a visual facilitator that was also here. So if you would like to – I have a clicker. Whew, look at me. Ah, seriously, high technology. So the report does include some more photos of all the work that was done. Very hands-on, very participatory, so people could have those conversations and put down what they felt. This is one of the graphic images that our visual facilitator was able to capture. As people talked, she captured their thoughts and what they came up with in terms of what they want to see for the future. And what I will say is Delray Beach is clearly an incredibly special community, especially to the people who live here. And they hold it very dear to their hearts. And in the actual report, you'll see the work that you saw that Julie did that included what we love about Delray Beach, and there is so much to love and to preserve, as well as a look ahead to the future. And what I want to do is talk briefly about the vision statement that we are proposing. There are solid reasons to have a vision statement. And the trouble we find ourselves getting into with a vision statement is sometimes it can be wordsmithed. So I look at this as a working vision statement that I think that the commissioners can have some strong foundation knowing that your community came up with this vision statement for you. Just for the record, I'll read it quickly. Delray Beach, the village by the sea, a thriving community with a charming downtown and vibrant neighborhoods that celebrates heritage, values sustainability, and creates an inviting quality of life. So it captures that essence of what you already have in Delray, as well as this look ahead to the future of this broad possibility of what you could continue to do to improve what you have. There were some key focus areas, and we captured that as well. These visual captures work really well to remind people so much better than a report. So I strongly encourage you to use them in your subsequent meetings moving forward, as well as these were the main key focus areas. Each one, especially the very first meeting with the steering committee, we spent a long time talking about these. You can think of them as their big buckets, the things that are the most important to focus on. Economic development, education, environment, historical preservation, and strategic development. They are in alphabetical order. There is no particular weight to one or the other. They're just in alphabetical order. The document goes into some detail about the definitions and all the hard work that went into saying, well, what do we mean when we say economic development? Which then led us right into the conversation about the goals. We did work with the large community meeting. Over 100 people came to your community meeting after the first two steering committee meetings. And 100 people put their work and effort into crafting these goals and trying to set up some sort of priority order for these goals so that the commissioners could hear what they felt was most important. So I don't want to belabor this, so I'm going to go fairly quickly through each of these. It's important to note that there were many, many, many more things talked about. And what we try to do with strategic goals is roll them up into the biggest, most broad categories so that you as a commission aren't constrained and your community isn't constrained by a very narrow, limited goal that you might accomplish in a year. These might take one year, three years, five years, ten years to complete. There may be some ongoing projects here. And it's good to look at them this way because so many things you could accomplish within each of these goals. So in economic development, advocate for community or economic development support, promote the arts, and promote small businesses and entrepreneurship. This is not to imply you're not currently doing these things. I should make that point as well. No strategic plan is implying that you aren't currently doing them. Your education goals, restore the education board and encourage internships. Your environment goals, maintain, protect, and expand open spaces and increase and preserve the tree canopy. Your historic preservation goals, increase historic designations, create incentives for historic preservation, and preserve legacy trees. Strategic development goals. This was very related to the right kind of growth, thoughtful growth. So enforce appropriate zoning and focus on citywide transportation. The next steps as we see them would first be the conversation around using this framework. We really look at this as a framework. It's not a complete, it should never be complete. It should be a living document that you consistently update as you have a history of doing. So using this framework to prioritize actions when you talk about, as a commission, any goals or any projects that you're thinking about, and using that to help drive your budget conversations as well. Taking a look at your operations across the city, and it is incredibly rare that what you're currently doing is in any kind of conflict. But sometimes there are minor changes that you can do operationally that your city manager can undertake to more closely align the work of his staff and his teams to align with the strategic plan. And then when you have budget items, when you have items that come in front of you for consideration, when you're discussing any types of projects that come onto your agenda, making a note of how they align with your strategic plan will be a great way to keep the strategic plan alive. So which one of these goals, which one of these key focus areas does this potential project align with? And that will give the commission great direction on whether or not it's a community priority. And then finally, communicating it, putting it out there on your website, sharing those visuals that Julie did, implementing it into your conversations with your community would be our recommendations. So that really was a very quick pass-through of hundreds and hundreds of hours of work from you all and your community. I would be happy to answer any questions or offer additional information if you would like.
Okay. Well, thank you very much. You guys did great work, by the way. And it was, I mean, I was just there as an observer. The commission, we commissioned, we're just really there as observers, but it was fun to observe all the tables interacting and people bouncing from table to table depending on the issue that they were, you know, they wanted to discuss. So it was, I thought it was, it ended up, it was a very well-run thing. Thank you. And I want to thank Raftelis for all the work that they did. Are there any questions that any commissioners have at this time?
No questions, thank you.
I just have one quick comment. I just want to say thank you for the work that you did. I thought the citizen participation in these events was off the charts amazing. I mean, with lots of people there, with lots of diverse opinions. And that is what you need in the strategic planning process. You need to hear every voice. And people really came out. And I'm so thankful that people made time for it because it really did help us get to the right place. So thank you for making that happen.
You're welcome.
Our pleasure.
Commissioner?
Sure. Thank you very much. You know, we do the goal setting annually. And I'm sure because you participate in the goal setting that you see it's kind of repetitive in terms of the same thing that comes up at goal setting as the values that we more or less have are pretty much the vision that came out of this. A little bit more time, but same thing. But what are the, you've got a couple things on there, but like concrete, actionable strategies to get us to where we need. What are the performance metrics? How do we measure if this vision is on its correct course? And how do we align it financially to make sure it happens? You know, because you're leaving us with this document, but at the end of the day, when I go through it, and I did a couple times, I don't quite know where to go next. Yeah, it's in my own decision making to be mindful of this vision, but I think as a commission, we need to have a clear path forward of how do we get ourselves to this vision? Because I don't necessarily appreciate that the same goals are coming up every year at goal setting. And at a visioning 10 years after or 15 years after the last, if you compare the last visioning to this one, you're going to see there's great similarity. And what that says to me is we're not accomplishing our purpose because we're not, we're not, people aren't seeing that if this is still our vision, then we haven't done it. And that's, I want to be able to say, how do we get from here to there? And this document didn't necessarily place me there. And I think if you look at POCA, they do quarterly follow-ups with their strategic plan to say, these were our thoughts. Maybe it's just reminding us of what the residents want because we should be viewing it in every aspect of our day-to-day operation. But I think, Mr. Moore, we need to figure out a way to get this report to be a reality. And that's something we need help with. Thank you. But I appreciate you and the report.
Thank you very much. You, Joe, have a comment you want to?
I might offer a perspective that is very true in our work. When we find that the current work is similar to the work five years ago or ten years ago, what that tells us is you did an exceptional job ten years ago or five years ago. Visions in particular and big strategic goals typically are 10-, 15-, 20-year components. What you're talking about is the implementation piece, which would change rather dramatically from quarter to quarter, certainly year to year as you make progress toward your goals. Right. Some of these goals, I think, are never-ending because they're a consistent work in progress. Right. So it is something as you go through the implementation piece and your manager has the opportunity to integrate this into the budget, you'll start to see, I think, those pieces come through as well as, you know, metrics are – I love metrics. I'm sort of a data geek, and they are very important, but they're also really difficult to get right. So thank you. I appreciate the feedback. Sure.
Thank you very much. We will – did you have a comment?
I did.
Okay.
I heard. Thank you.
Pushing around that vice mayor stuff real strong.
You're supposed to elbow him, ma'am.
I might hurt him. But I just wanted to say thank you for your contribution. I've always enjoyed working with you, and the community came out in numbers. But I think one of the things in the next steps is that the city has to figure out what our priorities are. We have to figure out, based on these things, we keep planning and making – but what is our priority? Make it known to the commission and to our residents, you know, what are, like, three things. What are the priorities once we work on that? Then we go to the next three. But we need to identify what our priorities are, and that's my comment. So thank you. I agree. Did you have a comment?
Yes. I just – I was part of the visioning process as a citizen, and early in the process, there was some more solution-oriented things. There were a lot of ideas out there, and I think in some of the reports that were emailed, some of those are sort of identified. So we can go backwards towards the big picture and the big goal to sort of implement those ideas, in my opinion. And I think you did a great job, especially keeping us in line. Thank you.
Yeah, those – this was a very overview, because you've articulated it in much greater detail in your 78-page document, which is a great document. But I do view that we're going to be – the best – when we did visioning way back when, and I was on that board, the next year we had our goal setting, and that visioning thing became a big part of the discussion. So I'm looking forward to that, as Commissioner Casals says, to try to – how can we implement some of these things? What are our goals going to be? How do we want to prioritize things? And so I do think that's always the challenge to implement. But I do believe that so many of the items that are identified now that were identified then is because it's a city that's – the city is a work in progress. But these are our ideas, and so far, you know, we try to grab as many as we can to make them work. So – but I want to thank you very much for everything that you guys did.
Thank you. And it was really due to your community. We can't – we can't ever do this work without their participation. We have a great community. We have a great community. Absolutely. Thank you very much.
Thank you very much.
Before I continue, I had recognized a bunch of people when the meeting first started, dignitaries, but I did not see until somebody moved seats. And then I see her plainly in front of me is constitutional officer, Palm Beach County tax collector, Ann Gannon. Commissioner – I mean, Mr. Moore.
Yes, Mr. Mayor, so my one-item contribution this evening is in relationship to the 2026 goal-setting session. We are making arrangements for Friday, May 8th, to take place over at the Vintage Gym at the Old School Square Campus. And, in essence, the timing is rather impeccable. Given the conclusion of the Vision 2035 exercise, this will be Commission's opportunity to utilize what was just shared by representatives from RefTelis and Cheryl Trent. How we can make a connection in this regard in terms of priorities, direction, et cetera. Not to mention the proposed budget process for the coming fiscal year is also eminent in this regard. So, for that reason, I think this would be a productive exercise. As was the case back in 2024, we did utilize facilitation services involving RefTelis. We are making arrangements to do the same for May 8th, 2026. And, given their intimacy and involvement with the aforementioned Vision 2035 exercise, I think it should be a very productive approach. Not to mention the selection of a new commissioner to provide her with an opportunity to connect and offer contributions in this regard. I think this would be appropriate. So, my –
Do we need a motion to create the May 8th date, or are you just going to –
I've actually made arrangements, however, support from the City Commission to the effect of what I just described, I think, would be nice. Okay. So, if you – You're recommending a motion, so I need a motion? So moved. Second. All in favor?
Aye. Wait.
Did we say – what day is it?
May 8th.
May 8th. 18th. No. It's 8th. But what day is it?
May 8th.
Oh, hell no.
Friday. May 8th. That's a Friday. That's a Friday.
Okay.
All right. So, we're all in favor? Any opposed? Good.
Thank you.
We got that. Mr. Moore, any other remarks?
I yield at this time. Thank you.
Okay. To the City Attorney.
I just want to say congratulations to Commissioners Malika and Burns, and we're so excited to start working with you.
Yeah.
I'm going to – it's now time for Commissioner comments. I'm going to give the floor to our newly – you were also elected, but the newest person to have a chair up here. I'm good. I'm good. Okay. Commissioner Malika.
Well, I thank you all for being here. I'd like you to come to every single City Commission meeting, please, because I'd like to see you all out there. And thank you to all the voters of Delray Beach. I'm excited and honored to represent every citizen in Delray Beach. And I'm also very honored to be part of this team and look forward to working together and supporting our Delray Beach professionals. So, thank you very much.
Thank you.
Commissioner Marker.
I just would like to say thank you very much. I know the campaign was – it's always hard, and it takes a lot of time, and it was well done. And congratulations to you. And I'd also like to congratulate my friend Angela, who also is up for another term. Looking forward to working with both of you. So, thank you both for doing this. She didn't campaign that hard, no. Commissioner Casale. Thanks.
Welcome, ladies. Welcome back, and welcome. Chief Hunter, he's not here. He celebrated his birthday. Happy birthday, Chief Hunter. I hope he's having fun somewhere. And also, Chief Rodney Stevenson also had a birthday. Happy birthday to both. Audits. When the city is being audited externally, and if there's an internal audit going on, I would like the commission's consensus to direct Mr. Moore to inform us. I don't – I want to know when an audit is happening in the city, and we don't know. I want to know when an internal audit is going on, like a staff person.
Are you saying like if the state – I mean, I just want to clarify.
Palm Beach County, the state, whomever, I think we should know that's happening, and we don't. If you feel it's a sensitive issue, you can reach out to us by phone. But I do think as commissioners in the city, we should not be finding out about audits after the fact by reports or from outside individuals or organizations. Can I get a consensus for that?
Do we have a – I mean, that seems to make some sense. I mean, you can contact us all privately if it's confidential and it swears to not say it to anybody. But I do think it's important for members of the commission to know if there's somebody in town doing an audit, and I think that's a very good suggestion. Of course. So do we have consensus for that?
And also, if there's an internal investigation or audit going on, we should know that as well.
Internal for what respect?
HR doing an audit of somebody or some such.
That's a tougher one. I think that – I don't know that – I think that's not a good – that's –
We get inquiries on regular basis. If you want to stick to the outside for now, we can think about the other. But the outside is critically important to me.
The outside I agree with completely. Thank you. The internal – I think that that's getting too involved with the internal workings from that office.
Just that we know something's happening is sometimes important because we all hear things, and it's – I have to direct them off, obviously.
Agreed is important, but whether or not it's appropriate is where I'm – Okay. I want to give them the –
I'll give you – I think you're right. That could – but the outside for sure.
The outside we've agreed.
April 22nd is on the calendar to speak about procurement on my calendar. I think I'd like an update. When is – when did we say we're going to update? I've kind of asked three or four times on this. Procurement is a really difficult issue right now because it's not – we're not procuring the way we did, and I'm not exactly sure what we're doing. We don't have somebody in charge. And I know we put out that job posting some time ago, but I'm curious. I don't know why we can't just get an update on this easily. It seems – it's difficult to understand why there's not just some update. We've had so many applicants. The process is open. We are – we are – I mean, if you put that out however many months ago, and it was a long time, any applicants probably, if they're worthwhile, have found jobs by now. Do we have to go back out? Has it become stale? What are we doing? Because I think it's critically important that we have a qualified and the right person in the procurement department. And I say this sitting here because I sat here when we had somebody who was amazing, and I've also sat here when we've had nobody. And there's a very big difference in how quickly things can move through the city. And I don't – I'd like to see progress in this regard, and I'm very concerned with the fact that I can't seem to get an update or an understanding of exactly what's going on.
Mr. Mayor, if I may, please. You may. Thank you. So we initiated the selection process in latter January, so a little bit over approximately a couple months ago, two months ago. It's now late March. And we are in the midst of finalizing the selection process and the dates I've outlined coincide in which I anticipate making an announcement as to what the selection will be.
When do you expect to make that announcement?
Within the next couple weeks or so. Okay. Mid-April. So we are very productive in this regard, ladies and gentlemen, and therefore my interest is to visit with you all to share what that will be and likewise who the selected chief procurement officer will become. So we are well on our way, and I look forward to sharing that with you all, and thus the arrangements in April.
Thank you. Thank you. Another thing, I had brought up about an insurance claim on Mr. Weiner's building being approved and paid out, and then there were follow-up claims made. There's a question of did we accept liability in the process of quickly paying out that claim without doing a lot of research. I had a recent exchange with Mr. Moore on another question about an insurance claim. I was hoping you could just maybe give us a two-minute presentation on how claims work in the city. If someone calls up and has a claim, who decides where it goes? Do you contact the appropriate department heads? And I'm asking this because in our exchange I was able to provide you information that you didn't have before talking to the individual and beginning the process. So how do we get information before we determine what are the next steps? And then what exactly are the next steps? Because it's concerning if we're paying out on claims that we don't need to be. It's not a good practice to be paying out taxpayers' money unnecessarily on claims. So I'd just like to know what that process looks like so that we understand what the chain of command is and how it works.
Mr. Mayor?
I'm just going to caution. It's a litigation matter, and we need to be really careful about our discussion of claims, damages, liabilities, et cetera, et cetera. Just the process. That's what I'm concerned about. I understand that. So I just want to make sure whatever answer is being provided, either by you or the city attorney, we need to keep that in mind.
Of course. And if I may, Mr. Mayor? Yes. Thank you. I would be more than happy to offer a very brief, succinct discussion or presentation during the April 21st meeting. Thank you. Via city manager items, section 5. Yep. To briefly outline the process when third-party applicability is the case or when an internal process is necessary to get to that place so that the clarity can be achieved. So with that, ladies and gentlemen, I'd appreciate you all's consensus to support the April 21st arrangement. That's fine. And we will do so.
Could I just clarify on the consensus? What I'm trying to find out is what your process is in the city. Not anything beyond that. Just a step-by-step. Not any specific claim. Of course. Not an individual. You could hypothetical, what if this happens, what that. But I'd just like to know what your process is because these two different issues concern me. And so I question, is the process working correctly? Thank you. And that is all I have.
Thank you. Commissioner Burns. Vice Mayor Burns.
Thank you. So I just wanted to congratulate Judy again. It is such an honor to have been sworn in alongside you today. And thank you for stepping up to serve our community. Tells a lot about your heart and your commitment to our city. So welcome once again. I also wanted to say that at the League of Cities meeting on yesterday, Delray Beach was recognized for the Delray Reads. We came in second place in the county. It seems that we're always second place to the Village of Wellington in many areas. However, I did receive a certificate. I'll bring it at our next meeting so that I can give it to the appropriate person. But we did, I think, the Village of Wellington, they created a video where everybody participated in. So they went over the top with theirs. They had a lot of readers as well. We had a lot of readers. But they did a big social media push for their read day. So we were honorable mention, and they were the winners. But we got that recognition at the League of Cities meeting yesterday. And then also, in reference to the Barrett Road project, I know that I'm sure, commissioners, you've received lots of correspondence about it. But I am asking for consensus, I guess, so that we could get a presentation given by SAP. I appreciate the one that we've already gotten. But it seems that people are very concerned about safety and that these barriers are being removed. And I am trying to figure out how can, you know, keeping the barrier there and putting an extra layer of safety can be an issue. So I would like to get consensus from the commission to see if we can't get maybe the, who are they, the project managers, the contractors, someone to give us a, you know, a short presentation to explain why those barriers have to be removed or why they can't stay and create an additional. You know, you know, my children went to school at Banyan Creek and walked along there, and there's been accidents over the years. And so I've seen it and witnessed it, you know, and lived it myself. So I'm just, I'm not understanding why keeping those barriers there would be detrimental. So if we could get a consensus to have the engineers or the project managers. I think it would be Missy would do that.
It would have to be a Missy question. She could come in.
And let me work closely with Missy on being as conscious as I possibly can relative to city commission requests working with the office of the city manager so that I can determine what appropriate staff members are necessary to facilitate a response to an inquiry. In many cases, in this regard, it would be Missy, but sometimes it would necessitate outside project managers and other contract representatives. I will work out those details. Nevertheless, with the consensus being proposed, I will make arrangements for the next couple meetings or so.
Thank you. And did I get consensus? Yes. 100%. Okay, thank you. Thank you.
Finished?
I think that's it. Yes.
First of all, I want to congratulate and welcome our newest commissioner and our returning commissioner to the dais. I've watched you in the P&Z. You're very thorough in what you do, and I'm really looking forward to your input to our decision-making process here. And we are a great group to work with, so you're going to have a good time. I'll let you know. And the mayor's always right. Just remember, the mayor's always right. So other than that part, other than that part. Okay, there's some disagreement on that. Except for that letter. There's some disagreement on that. But then congratulations to the vice mayor as well. So I'm glad you're making your way towards getting the purchasing department underway because really and truly we have been without someone for a long time. And part of our issues related to the seawall contract and the contract we're having with Pompeii and others are because we really have not had someone at the helm who has subject matter expertise. So it's really going to be a welcome thing for us because I do think that this commission needs to sit down and have a discussion of what we want our purchasing policy to be. Obviously, we need a purchasing person in order to do that. But as soon as we have that person in place, which is a sooner rather than later thing for me, that would go a long way to facilitate how we operate. Because, you know, I'm very happy we got this. My next question is going to be to you about the seawall, which contract we approved tonight. But these kinds of things took an inordinate amount of time, I believe, partially, not solely, but partially because we didn't have a purchasing department to kind of really work their way through all these contracts. And I'm looking forward to it. I think it's overdue. And I'm really looking forward to the next couple of weeks you presenting the person and telling us who this is and moving forward on that. As it relates to the MANCON contract, which has now been ratified, we have signed it. When do you anticipate – I see people from the Marina District out there wanting to know, when are you going to start? Are we buying shovels already?
No. That's a good question for Missy. First, we have to get this executed. So that's going to – that won't be tonight. So I'll give it to you tomorrow. But Missy can answer that.
Good evening, Mayor and Commissioners. The Marineway contract is a construction manager at risk contract. So the way that that contract is structured, the first portion of the contract is us looking at all of the plan sets and designs for the project and agreeing on a guaranteed maximum price, which we bring back to commission. So phase one happens very much outside of public view. It is us negotiating back and forth with the contractor in association with our owner's representative to arrive at the best possible price for the work that needs to be done. We bring that back to commission. Commission approves that price. And then they move forward with the construction project. So those discussions on arriving at that guaranteed maximum price can take anywhere from a couple of months to four or five months as we move forward.
Well, I just – again, that's one of those ones we've been – it's been languishing for a while and we want to –
It was one of my first projects when I came to work here 10 years ago. And I'm going to get it done before I leave you.
I remember it was on the agenda for my 21st birthday. So, I mean, it's been a long time.
Yeah.
So, I mean – Unless you ask me to leave before it's done. Okay. Because it is a – it's not – it's not getting any better in that neighborhood, you know, as the tides are –
We're very aware. We keep very close eye on the increasing levels. The king tides are literally going up every single year, whether we attribute that to a weather pattern that is multidecadal or climate change. No matter how you look at it, the science says the water levels are going up.
We've got – we're starting phase one, which is better than we were last week at this time. So, that's good. The only other thing is that we received something from Gina Carter this morning on – Wait, Missy. On the OSS thing. But I'm just wondering whether – we did not get that?
I'm sorry?
Gina Carter, you had sent out a thing this morning to all of us on the study that had been done. I'm just wanting to make sure that that's part of our – when we do our goal setting, that that would be something that I'd like to be discussed as well. I mean, I'll bring it up.
You will be able to initiate that at that time.
Yeah, that's fine. That's fine. And I didn't have anything else. Well, I did, but I'm not. Did you have something else you wanted to say?
Yeah, just something quickly. Yeah, before you hit that gavel. I just want to thank a city attorney for this lovely flower arrangement. I just looked on to see. I was like, who gave me this? So, just thank you for this. Thank you. You're welcome.
Could I ask Missy a question since you brought her up for this? Yes, please. You may regret. So, this is a CMAR construction management at-risk contract. Are you saying that when this price is locked in, we won't be getting these additional bills in the future?
That's the whole thing.
So, yeah, once we arrive at a guaranteed maximum price, then the contractor that does the construction takes on the full risk and responsibility of time changes, unforeseen conditions, all of that.
So, and when we go forth with a design build, that responsibility is more on us? Yes. Okay. Thank you.
Theoretically, if it comes in cheaper, we get the benefit.
Well.
Theoretically. That's right. I said theoretically in capital letters, bold, underscored.
Well, the devil is always in the unforeseen details.
Okay. And one more question based on your comments. I'm sorry, ladies. I know you're looking to go celebrate. Why did that item get sent out to us today? I kind of found it shocking to get an e-mail, a bad e-mail. I don't understand what's – and I was looking to inquire with you privately, but because it came up, what's going on that we're getting that e-mail?
Director of Communications, Gina Carter, took the initiative of outlining a potential outline in the event that it becomes appropriate.
She took that initiative on her own without your direction?
We talked about it like two months ago. So she was going to be looking at, you know, calculating – I mean, I'm assuming that's what –
I'm just – why did that come out today? I don't understand.
Mr. Mayor, if I may? Please. Thank you. As I stated, that initiative was taken. It was provided. An interest was expressed by one of you, Mr. Mayor. Actually, I'll speak specific about that. My policy and practice is I share with everyone. So I've asked Ms. Carter to share that with everyone because it was made available, and therefore, I think you all should have it. So it's provided to all five of you, and I did request that she do so.
Are we ready? Yeah.
We are adjourned. Thank you.