JUPITER INLET COLONY REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING LIVE. AND VIA ZOOM Meeting ID 5856288134 05.08.2023 3:001 PM MINUTES  1. Mayor Comerford Called the Meeting to order at 3:00 PM.  Roll call for the record: Mayor Daniel J. Comerford III Vice-Mayor Milton Block Commissioner Richard Busto Commissioner Mark Ciarfella Commissioner Marie Rosner  ChiefofPolice John Pruitt Town Administrator Kevin Lucas Town Attorney William P. Doney Town Clerk Ivelisse Chico-Randazzo  Also present approximately 40 members oft the Community via zoom and inj person. 2. Public Comments: Tracy Siani congratulated and thanked the Commission, especially Vice Mayor Block and Commissioner Busto for the Committee. Cindy Keim made a statement regarding the time of the Commission meeting saying that the meeting should be changed to 7:00pm. She continued to say that since there is a lot going on in Town, people should be present to know and understand what is going on. Vice Mayor Block replied to Mrs. Keim stating that there are only three people who usually complain about the meeting times. He suggested that a survey be sent out asking residents what time they would prefer to attend the Commission meetings, but they would need to commit to attending a few meetings. Commissioner Rosner informed Mrs. Keim that residents need to call the Town Hall ifthey have questions instead of asking her. Ed Hocevar stated that itr needs to be a democratic process. Ift the Commission wants to get younger residents to participate in Town government, 3:00pm does not work since most oft the younger residents' work. Mayor Comerford read an email from resident Jay Goetschius regarding meeting times. The email stated that meeting times should be moved to after business hours to make them more accessible to residents who cannot attend daytime meetings. While zoom: is helpful, it does not change the challenge of attending a meeting in the middle of the day. Mr. Goetschius also stated in his email the zoom has been a completely inadequate host and technology standpoint making the remote alternative unacceptable for inj person. Mr. Goetschius provided examples of the last three meetings, citing how unacceptable the remote options were due to the technological issues. Keeping residents like him from running for Town Commission. Mr. Goetschius also wanted to know the procedure for hiring police officers. Mayor Comerford also answered his questions (via email) by stating that Det. Sgt. Beckman conducts all background checks, including but not limited to social media and internet searches, following the    requirements ofFDLE, interviews with former employers and other persons who have knowledge of the candidate, physical and psychological examinations, and fingerprinting. Fran Wiatr asked ift there were any updates on the North Walkway, Mayor Comerford stated they are waiting for the final inspection and once the inspection passes, the Town will petition the DEP so that they follow their own rule of having steps to the beach. In case there is resistance, the Town is prepared to have Art Landro write an affidavit and have everyone sign a petition. The Mayor is prepared to speak to the Director ofthe DEP  as well as speak to the former and current Governors ifr necessary.  3. Vote: to approve Consent Agenda  a. April 2023 General Operating Fund Budget Report and Financial Statements b. Minutes from April 10, 2023, Regular Commission Meeting. Motion: Vice Mayor Block made a motion to approve. Second: Commissioner Busto seconded the motion.  Motion passed 5-0.  4. Commission/Staf Reports:  a. Town Administrator- No: report b. Town Clerk - No report  Chief of Police- ChiefPruitt stated was aj pleasure serving the residents ofJIC. He will have a lot of great memories. He also reminded residents that it is the start d. Code Enforcement- Mayor Comerford reported 8 incidents regarding whether Commissioner Reports- Commissioner Rosner had a few items to report, she stated that there are trees that are overgrown and need tol be trimmed. She addressed the poop issue on the walkways. She stated people need to pick up after their dogs. She has cleaned some up, but it is al health hazard and asked that a calling post be sent out to remind residents toj pick up after their pets. She also mentioned that there are people riding bikes on the walkways and when coming off the walkway, someone is going to get hurt because drivers do not stop. Also mentioned were solicitors, she stated she had a solicitor get very aggressive toward her and she in turn got aggressive back. She asked ift there could be a policy put in place that requires solicitors to check in and show their ID. Commissioner Rosner also recommended that the Town should have a newsletter g. Vice Mayor Block- Vice Mayor Block reported that there was going to be a meeting at. JILONA and that BLM was going tol have a presentation. h. Mayor Comertord-Mayor Comerford announced that they have new stickers for each vehicle, they would be given out at the Police party in the park. The stickers are to be put on the rear driver side window of the vehicle SO that vehicles that  ofhurricane season sO please remove the coconuts. people have permits. Issues have been resolved.  Town Attorney -No Report  providing the Residents with more information.    belong in JIC can be easily identified on the cameras. Police Party in the Park would be held on May 11th, and they would have Chick-Fil-A and ice cream.  5. Announcement: LEED Certification Gold Level Award  Mayor Comerford stated that thanks to the very hard work of Bill Whiteford, the Town has achieved the Gold Level Certification which is a very prestigious award from the U.S. Green Building Council. Itt took 1 year and 61 months to achieve this. Vice Mayor  Block stated iti is a big deal, especially for a' Town of our size. 6. Update: Chief of Police Search Committee Report  Vice Mayor Block started his statement by saying that on the advice of council would not take questions after the presentation however, residents can ask or submit questions and he would answer them ifTown Attorney Doney says it would be okay. Vice Mayor Block read his report stating that the Committee is committed toi integrity, transparency and confidence ini the effort and outcome JIC Commissioners will select the next Chiefof Police with the goal of presenting the best possible candidate(s) to the Commission for the job. The Town was working on a new user-friendly website which will have al link called ChiefofPolice Selection Committee. There will be 3 folders, resident correspondence, committee documents and job description. All documents will be posted.  The committee has accomplished to date: -hiring Sheri Resnick, HR specialist -held 1st organizational meeting  -hired Mike Piper, Florida Municipal Government Employment Attorney -posted position on Indeed, Florida League of Cities, and Florida Chiefs Association. -Committee members will individually review all resumes submitted, including those -schedule second committee meeting to identify a small group ofl highly qualified -third committee meeting will be for the committee members toi interview the candidates While this all seems complicated and time-consuming, it will ensure that the committee is  -created and finalized ChiefofPolice job description  Next step for the committee: recommended by Ms. Resnick  -collect, review, and recommend candidates by Sheri Resnick  candidates  -have background checks conducted on the finalists -committee will present final candidates to the Town Commission. transparent and follows all Sunshine and ethics laws. 7. Discussion: Consulting Agreement with John Pruitt  Mayor Comerford stated that Chief Pruitt initially stated he was going to retire on May 5th but Chief Pruitt has agreed to stay on until May 25th because he still has work to do with us. He will also continue to work with us to get us through the filing ofthe TRIM package which needs to be submitted in September after the second budget meeting. ChiefPruitt has agreed to stay on until September 30th to file the paperwork after he assists with the budget. Hej proposed to work for $9,000.00 a month which is approximately $7,500.00 less than he was getting paid. Mayor Comerford recommends    that the Commission moves forward with the proposal because hei is needed. Commissioner Busto asked if Chief Pruitt would continue to be Chief during that time or who would run the police department? Mayor Comerford stated that the Deputy Chief would be acting Chiefuntil they hire ai new Chiefof Police. Commissioner Busto stated a person running for Chief should not be the acting Chief, they should have someone else, suggesting Lt. Schultz. Vice Mayor Block agreed with Commissioner Busto. Motion: Commissioner Busto made a motion to. have Lt. Schultz as the acting Police  Chiefuntil a new Police Chiefis hired. Second: Vice Mayor Block seconded the motion. 8. Discussion: Proper Use ofTown Vehicles  Motion passed 5-0.  Mayor Comerford stated that last year, the Commission voted on the Chief and Town Administrator not having take home vehicles, despite information given to the Commission that in the rest oft the county, they have take home vehicles. Mayor Comerford stated that since then, the Town has gotten a truck and he will take full responsibility for allowing the Town Administrator to take the truck home. The Chiefhas never taken the Tahoe home. However, Deputy Chief Freeman takes the Tahoe home. He takes the Tahoe home because it is showing signs of rust. Commissioner Busto stated he was the Commissioner who asked for this discussion to be added to the agenda. He stated that last year, it was made very clear by the Commission that taking town vehicles home would not be allowed. Commissioner Busto asked Mayor Comerford to rescind his decision on allowing employees to take vehicles home. Mayor Comerford disagreed with Commissioner Busto stating that he explained his reason for allowing the Deputy Chief taking the vehicle home. Mayor Comerford explained the reason why he allowed the Town Administrator to take the vehicle home. Commissioner Busto stated the Commission had agreed that no employee would take any vehicle home for any reason and the Mayor has no authority to allow that at all. Mayor Comerford stated he would revisit this matter at a meeting because it isi important to Commissioner Busto. Mayor Comerford stated that it is mean spirited that they do not have take home vehicles even after showing the Commissioners that all Towns, even smaller Towns have take home vehicles sO that the Chief and or Town Administrator can get to Town in cases of emergencies. Vice Mayor Block stated that it is a fundamental point being made that the Commission voted on this matter and Vice Mayor Block stated he, personally did not have aj problem with the Chiefand Town Administrator having a take home vehicle, but knowing the culture oft the Town, he knows people did not want to provide cars to employees. He: stated that because it was voted on by the Commission, it needs to stop. Commissioner Rosner stated that she would like to see this revisited because other Towns allow employees and police officers have take home cars because if there was an emergency, they would not be able to get through anywhere for emergency reasons. Commissioner Ronser would like tol have this topic added to the June agenda. Vice Mayor Block stated that in the meantime, no vehicles would be taken home. Commissioner Rosner asked what would those employees that have come to work in the Town vehicle that day do? An audience member stated that it was their problem.    Commissioner Rosner made an emotional statement saying that this is a small Town, and they are family. She said when someone gets sick everyone gets together and helps each other but the with behavior she has been seen and been hearing, she is saddened by it and especially for someone to make a comment like what was said earlier in the meeting. She stated that the employees are here to serve the community, the Commissioners are volunteers, and shel has never heard things like what is being said before. She has been around for a long time, but they need to take care oft the employees and take care oft the people in Town. She would like to see more people coming together instead of the little groups forming in' Town. She said she would like to see more people come together and  bel kind to one another because being kind goes al long way.  9. Wrap-up and adjourn.  Motion: Vice Mayor Block made ai motion to adjourn the meeting at 4:07 p.m.  Second: Commissioner Busto seconded the motion.  Motion passed 5-0.  Approved by:  Mayor Daniel J. Comerford III Town Clerk Ivelisse Chico-Randazzo  Date Date  STATE MANDATED STATEMENT  Ifaj person decides to appeal any decision made by the board, agency, or Commission with respect to any matter considered at such meeting or hearing, he/she will need a record of the proceedings, and that, for such purpose, he/she may need to ensure that a verbatim record oft the proceedings is made, which record Any person requiring special accommodation at this meeting because ofa disability or physical impairment should contact the Town prior to the meeting. Please contact the Town Administration Office, Administration Building, 50 Colony Road, Jupiter Inlet Colony, and FL3 33469, telephone 561-746-3787.  includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.