OFFICIAL MINUTES BELLE GLADE CITY COMMISSION. REGULAR MEETING April 17, 2017

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1 OFFICIAL MINUTES BELLE GLADE CITY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING April 17, 2017 Pursuant to due notice, a regular meeting of the Belle Glade City Commission was held in City Hall, 110 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., West, Belle Glade, Palm Beach County, Florida, on Monday, April 17, 2017 at 6:32 p.m. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Wilson. The Invocation was observed by a Moment of Silence, and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Commissioner Underwood. Upon roll call, the following Commissioners were present: Martin, Underwood, Wilkerson and Wilson. Commissioner Burroughs arrived at 6:41 p.m. Members of staff present were City Attorney Torcivia, City Manager Harrelle, Deputy City Manager Scott, Director of Finance Tibbs, Assistant Director of Finance Hughes, Director of Human Resources Hunter, Director of Planning & Community Redevelopment Services Parchment, Director of Public Works Akhimie, Assistant Director of Public Works Gooden, Facilities Manager Hood, Planning & Building Manager Butts, Deputy City Clerk Sautter, and City Clerk Buff. Also present: PBSO Lt. Coleman; and Alicia Wilson, Commission Secretary to County Commissioner Melissa McKinlay. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: [Approved as Amended] City Clerk requested consideration to Amend the Agenda as follows: Add; 7.B. Add; 11. Resolution Relating to Acceptance of Private Donations in the Amount of $6,400 for Funding Repairs to Property Located at 509 NW 14 th Street Approval of Special Event Permit Application, Applicant Glades Area Ministerial Association, Relating to 2 nd Annual Area Wide Tent Revival Service at Corner of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, West and Main Street, May 1-6, 2017 Vice Mayor Wilkerson MOVED, Commissioner Underwood SECONDED, and the Motion carried 4-0 to approve the Agenda as Amended. [Burroughs not present for vote] RECOGNITION OF DIGNITARIES: Mayor Wilson welcomed dignitaries and all other citizens in attendance at the Commission meeting, with special recognition to Taranza McKelvin, City of South Bay Commissioner. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS: [Motion carried to approve Consent Agenda items] Vice Mayor Wilkerson MOVED, Commissioner Martin SECONDED, and the Motion carried 4-0 to approve the following Consent Agenda items: [Burroughs not present for vote] Minutes: Regular Meeting, April 3, 2017 Workshop Meeting, April 3, 2017 Purchase Electronic Marquee from Signs Plus, New Ideas-New Technology, Inc. for an Amount Not to Exceed $7,239; Approval of Addendum to Purchase Order; and Approval of Budget Transfer No. 17-T- 012 for Said Amount Relating to Torry Island Campground Reallocate Funds in the Amount of $20,000 Within the YEC's JAG 2016-DJ-BX-0576 Project Budget and Approval of Associated Letter of Approval Accept and Proceed with CRA Recommendation to Solicit Proposals for Lease of City-Owned Property and Adjacent Parking Lot Located at 224 SW 5 th Street (This Portion of Page Left Blank Intentionally) 1

2 CITY CLERK REPORTS: ADOPTION OF RESOLUTIONS City Clerk read the following Resolutions by title: Relating to Authorized Signatures Upon City Checks RESOLUTION NO FLORIDA, RELATING TO FINANCES, AUTHORIZING USE OF FACSIMILE SIGNATURES UPON CHECKS OF THE CITY; PROVIDING FOR A CONFLICTS CLAUSE; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Vice Mayor Wilkerson MOVED, Commissioner Underwood SECONDED, and the Motion carried 4-0 to adopt said Resolution. [Burroughs not present for vote] Relating to Release of Lien, Case No a, Shirley B. Harris RESOLUTION NO FLORIDA, ISSUING A CODE ENFORCEMENT RELEASE OF LIEN ON CASE NO a, SHIRLEY B. HARRIS, AS OWNER, FOR CONSIDERATION OF $373.60; AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE SAID RELEASE OF LIEN; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO RECORD SAID RELEASE OF LIEN; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, CONFLICTS, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Vice Mayor Wilkerson MOVED, Commissioner Martin SECONDED, and the Motion carried 4-0 to adopt said Resolution. [Burroughs not present for vote] Relating to Renaming Lake Shore Park to Louis James Butts Park RESOLUTION NO FLORIDA, RENAMING LAKE SHORE PARK TO LOUIS JAMES BUTTS PARK; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS, SEVERABILITY AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Vice Mayor Wilkerson MOVED, Commissioner Underwood SECONDED, and City Clerk called upon Jermaine Webb, Belle Glade resident who requested to comment on this agenda item. Highlights of Mr. Webb s comments as follows: Expressed concern that original request to name weight room at Lake Shore Park in honor of Louis James Butts had been revised by City Commission to instead rename Lake Shore Park in its entirety. Asked if renaming of the weight room was still being considered. Said requesters wished to honor Mr. Butts in a way that could be implemented quickly. Expressed concern over length of time it would take to satisfy Commission s wish to secure funding and update park prior to groundbreaking with new park name. Agreed with Commissioners that honoring Mr. Butts was important and well-deserved, but emphasized that immediate action was necessary, considering the health of Mr. Butts. [Commissioner Burroughs arrived at 6:41 p.m.] Upon roll call, the Motion carried 5-0 to adopt Resolution relating to renaming Lake Shore Park to Louis James Butts Park. (This Portion of Page Left Blank Intentionally) 2

3 CITY CLERK REPORTS Continued: ADOPTION OF RESOLUTIONS Continued Relating to Acceptance of Private Donations in the amount of $6,400 for Funding Repairs to Property Located at 509 NW 14 th Street RESOLUTION NO FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF PRIVATE DONATIONS FOR THE FUNDING OF REPAIRS TO PROPERTY LOCATED AT 509 NW 14 TH STREET TO REMOVE A HEALTH AND LIFE-SAFETY RISK AND TO BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY THROUGH THE IMPROVEMENTS; AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO FACILITATE THE REPAIRS; FINDING A PUBLIC PURPOSE; AND PROVIDING FOR EXECUTION, CONFLICTS, SEVERABILITY AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Vice Mayor Wilkerson MOVED, Commissioner Burroughs SECONDED, and the Motion carried 5-0 to adopt said Resolution. OTHER BUSINESS Setting Time to Review Comprehensive Plan Amendments During Workshop Scheduled for May 1, 2017 Mayor Wilson determined Commission consensus for Workshop Meeting on May 1, 2017 to begin at 5:15 p.m., during which Comprehensive Plan Amendments would be reviewed. Encouraged Commissioners to make necessary provisions to attend said meeting. Designation of Voting Delegate and Alternate Relating to Palm Beach County League of Cities Meetings [Motions carried to designate Steve B. Wilson as Voting Delegate and Mary Ross Wilkerson as Alternate Voting Delegate] Vice Mayor Wilkerson MOVED, Commissioner Burroughs SECONDED, and the Motion carried 5-0 to designate Mayor Steve B. Wilson as Voting Delegate to Palm Beach County League of Cities Meetings. Commissioner Underwood MOVED, Commissioner Martin SECONDED, and the Motion carried 5-0 to designate Vice Mayor Wilkerson as Alternate Voting Delegate to Palm Beach County League of Cities Meetings. Announcements Mayor s Proclamation Declaring April 2017 as Florida Water Professionals Month May 1, 2017 Commission Workshop Meeting at 5:15 p.m., Followed by Regular Commission Meeting at 6:30 p.m., City Hall Commission Chambers CITY MANAGER REPORTS: SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT APPLICATION, APPLICANT GLADES AREA MINISTERIAL ASSOCIATION, RELATING TO 2 ND ANNUAL AREA WIDE TENT REVIVAL SERVICE AT CORNER OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. BOULEVARD, WEST AND MAIN STREET, MAY 1-6, 2017 [Motion carried to approve Special Event Permit Application] Vice Mayor Wilkerson MOVED, Commissioner Burroughs SECONDED, and the Motion carried 5-0 to approve Special Event Permit Application, applicant Glades Area Ministerial Association, relating to 2 nd Annual Area Wide Tent Revival Service at corner of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, West and Main Street, May 1-6, PUBLIC RELATIONS REPORTS: Public Relations Coordinator not present. CITY ATTORNEY REPORTS: None. (This Portion of Page Left Blank Intentionally) 3

4 PBSO (PALM BEACH SHERIFF S OFFICE) COMMENTS: PBSO Lt. Coleman provided the following comments: Traffic Issues Said PBSO had scheduled extra units in the area to address traffic issues discussed in previous meeting. Mayor Wilson asked for PBSO and City Manager to meet to discuss solutions to speeding issues, as well as the possibility of assigning a specific traffic team to the City of Belle Glade. Peace in the Hood Event Mayor Wilson expressed appreciation to PBSO and officers for supporting the Peace in the Hood Event held at Louis James Butts Park during the previous weekend. AUDIENCE COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS: STOP SUGAR FIELD BURNING/GREEN HARVEST CAMPAIGN Patrick Ferguson, Sierra Club Organizer for the Stop Sugar Field Burning/Green Harvest Campaign explained Campaign to City Commission. Mr. Ferguson distributed information packets to Commissioners which included information regarding Pre-Harvest Sugar Field Burning health threats, examples of sustainable cane trash use, and examples of local burning restrictions. Highlights of comments as follows: Patrick Ferguson, Sierra Club Organizer Stated the Sierra Club s goal in attending tonight s meeting was not to pursue legislative action, but to inform Commissioners of Green Harvesting Campaign occurring within Glades communities. Said Campaign supporters would like to initiate community conversation regarding Pre-Harvest Sugar Field Burning. Said Campaign commenced when Glades residents impacted by Pre-Harvest Sugar Field Burning contacted the Sierra Club with health and safety concerns. Said the Sierra Club had researched impacts of Pre-Harvest Sugar Field Burning, finding children and elderly to be among the most negatively affected populations. Said the Sierra Club suggests an alternative to Pre-Harvest Sugar Field Burning called Green Harvesting. Said Green Harvesting could bring new jobs to Glades communities and end suffering associated with smoke and ash produced by Pre-Harvest Sugar Field Burning. Said he looked forward to continuing community conversation relating to these matters. The following Glades-area residents, representing the Sierra Club, shared their experiences relating to Pre-Harvest Sugar Field Burning, as well as their opinions on Green Harvesting. Highlights as follows: Steve Messam, Belle Glade Resident Stated Green Harvest Campaign was not meant to negatively impact local sugar mills, but to bring additional jobs to the area. Said there were companies willing to purchase cane trash to produce commodities such as mulch, tissue, and paper goods. Said this could help negate potential land loss by increasing profits. Said that Pre-Harvest Sugar Field Burning caused allergies and asthma. Said Green Harvesting was an improved and healthier method of harvesting sugar cane. Proposed that same harvester that collected burned sugar cane could perform same duties when sugar cane was green. Expressed disappointment that Belle Glade didn t enforce burn restrictions similar to Clewiston s rules against burning in close proximity to Wal-Mart. Said that Green Harvesting would eliminate black smut that dirties properties and cars. Said Green Harvesting proposes a mutually beneficial situation for residents and cane farmers. Brittany Ingram, Belle Glade Resident Said many Glades residents had developed respiratory issues, such as asthma, due to Pre-Harvest Sugar Cane Burning. Said she observed the impact of burn season on children in the area, noting increased hospital visits and use of medication. Said doctors had suggested moving as a remedy to sickness caused by Pre-Harvest Sugar Field Burning. Said moving was not a feasible solution. Said Green Harvesting was a solution that would eliminate health threats posed by burning cane while also stimulating the economy. Said she hoped Commissioners would be willing to join the conversation around Green Harvesting, gain knowledge on the process, and encourage healthy practices on behalf of the community. 4

5 AUDIENCE COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS Continued: Stop Sugar Field Burning/Green Harvest Campaign Continued Kina Phillips, South Bay Resident Said she joined Campaign because her daughter and grandson had suffered from asthma and sinus infections during sugar cane burning season. Encouraged businesses and residents in Belle Glade to be good neighbors, which she defined as looking out for one another instead of devaluing the community and properties of citizens. Said she understood the community was battling multiple issues, but stressed that this did not mean residents must compromise on the issue of Pre-Harvest Sugar Field Burning. Encouraged citizens to stand up and speak for what they believe is right. Said fires burn very close to Rosenwald Elementary School in South Bay, which frightens children. Asked businesses to, at the very least, consider restrictions on Pre-Harvest Sugar Field Burning near schools. Stated that lives were worth any sacrifice it may take to implement Green Harvesting in order to encourage a healthy environment and suitable air quality. Asked Commissioners to engage in conversations around this subject. EMPLOYEES COMMENTS/SUGGESTIONS: None. COMMISSION REPORTS/COMMENTS: BURROUGHS: Economic and Business Development No new report. Youth Programs No new report. Senate Bill 10 (SB10) Acknowledged the many concerns currently impacting residents and encouraged everyone to stay informed and continue to fight SB10, as it is currently the most urgent issue at stake. Said there continues to be movement relating to SB10 that could severely affect the livelihood of the community. Said his family faced health issues due to Pre-Harvest Sugar Field Burning and he empathized with the campaign to stop burning; however, said SB10 should be addressed prior to Green Harvesting, due to the threat of land loss that SB10 poses. AVID Program Thanked Dr. Wilehelmenia Jacobs for attending tonight s meeting. Mentioned recent donation of 100 copies of Robert s Rules of Order to Lake Shore Middle School AVID Program. Expressed appreciation to all who played a role in donation of said books. Said the AVID Program was initiated in the Glades area to encourage youth to seek guidance and opportunities for their future and explore career opportunities. Expressed appreciation to Dr. Jacobs and Principal Lockhart of Lake Shore Middle School for supporting the AVID Program. Appreciation Expressed appreciation to community for support of City Commissioners and community leaders as they work to ensure Belle Glade is a great place to live, work, and raise a family. MARTIN: Airport No new report. Business Park No new report. Marina Campground No new report. UNDERWOOD: City Parks No new report. Grants No new report. Director of Public Works Welcomed new Director of Public Works, Vince Akhimie, to the City. Said he looked forward to working with Mr. Akhimie. 5

6 COMMISSION REPORTS/COMMENTS Continued: WILKERSON (Vice Mayor): Beautification No new report. Job Training No new report. Solicitor on Avenue A/Main Street Asked Lt. Coleman if a solution could be found relating to a solicitor who walks in the street near Avenue A and Main Street. Said this individual puts himself and drivers in danger. Lt. Coleman said the gentleman had been arrested and offered community assistance numerous times; however, he always returned to walk and solicit in same location. Said PBSO would address the issue further. WILSON (Mayor): Recreation Activities No new report. Transportation No new report. Peace in the Hood Event Expressed appreciation to Lt. Coleman, Director of Human Resources, and Parks and Recreation Manager for support of Peace in the Hood Event during the previous weekend. Violence Said an incident occurred in a neighboring city on Sunday s date, which had a direct impact on Belle Glade. Said he hoped solutions could be found to halt future violence. Traffic Issues Encouraged PBSO and City Manager to schedule meeting to discuss solutions to speeding and traffic issues in Belle Glade. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the City Commission, Mayor Wilson adjourned the meeting at 7:09 p.m. ATTEST: Steve B. Wilson, Mayor Debra R. Buff, MMC, City Clerk 6