City of Margate 5790 Margate Boulevard Margate, FL 33063 954-972-6454 www.margatef.com Meeting Minutes a Regular City Commission Meeting Mayor Arlene R. Schwartz Vice Mayor Antonio V. Arserio Commissioners: Anthony N. Caggiano, Tommy Ruzzano, Joanne Simone City Manager Cale Curtis City Attorney Weiss Serota Heltman Cole & Bierman City Clerk Jennifer M. Johnson Wednesday, June 4, 2025 6:30 PM Commission Chambers and Zoom.us Webinar ID: 816 1476 6254 htps.laso2webzoom.us/81614766254 CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL Present: 3- Commissioner Anthony N. Caggiano, Commissioner Joanne Simone and Mayor Arlene R. Schwartz Not Present: 2- Commissioner Tommy Ruzzano and Vice Mayor Antonio V. Arserio MOMENT OF SILENCE Commissioner Ruzzano entered the Commission Chambers at 6:37pm. Vice Mayor Arserio entered the Commission Chambers at 6:39pm. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 1) PRESENTATIONS) A. ID 2025-137 RECOGNIZING DEES UTILITIES DIVISION LEADER NICK MARAGH'S REGIONAL ACHIEVEMENT CHAMPION OF THE 2025 BACKHOE ROADEO DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENGINEERING SERVICES (DEES) DIRECTOR, CURT KEYSER, praised his team and spoke at length about Utilities Division Leader, Maragh's accomplishment. 2) PUBLIC DISCUSSION MAYOR, ARLENE R. SCHWARTZ, provided instructions on how to submit a Public Discussion. MARGATE RESIDENT, ELSA J. SANCHEZ, read a statement praising Margate's Fire and Police Departments. MARGATE RESIDENT, DONNA L. FELLOWS, highlighted the homeless problem which she believed had increased in recent times and said that something needed to be done. City of Margate Page 1 Printed on 6/17/2025 10:46. AM Regular City Commission Meeting Meeting Minutes June 4, 2025 VICE MAYOR, ANTONIO V. ARSERIO, responded to Ms. Fellows' comments and indicated that the Police have been proactive in addressing the homeless situation. PARKLAND RESIDENT, MARGARET J. BREZINA, provided an update on the homeless situation where she said that on almost a daily basis, she speaks with City Manager Curtis and the Police Department MAYOR SCHWARTZ referenced having a homeless engagement meeting. MS. BREZINA continued to discuss nomelessness. MARGATE RESIDENT, TRACY VAN WINKLE, questioned whether the City had a plan for the hurricane preparedness three months in advance before June 1st, such as the Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) and the tree cutters. 3) COMMISSION COMMENTS COMMISSIONER, TOMMY RUZZANO, congratulated all the kids that were moving up in school. He wished the teachers a safe and good Summer. He thanked everyone for the calls in the last few days. COMMISSIONER, ANTHONY N. CAGGIANO, sent Father's Day Greetings. COMMISSIONER, JOANNE SIMONE, highlighted the Paint It Broward event. VICE MAYOR. ARSERIO, explained a situation involving the use of the 911 service where he was impressed with the rapid response and thanked the Fire. and Police Chiefs respectively. He advised on hurricane preparedness. He highlighted a straight line wind situation in Margate whilst a video demonstrating the same was being played. He sought CONSENSUS to obtain further information for lifetime term limits. Discussion ensued. Commissioner Ruzzano - Yes; Commissioner Simone Sought further nformation; Commissioner Caggiano Yes; Vice Chair Arserio - Yes; and Mayor Schwartz - Confirmed that Vice Mayor Arserio had his CONSENSUS. CITY ATTORNEY, DAVID N. TOLCES, advised that they could oring back some sample provisions which would help the City Commission with their discussion. MAYOR SCHWARTZ wished Commissioner Simone a Happy Birthday for tomorrow. She highlighted this Saturday's Sounds at Sundown event, Flag Day and sent Father's Day greetings. She referenced Make Margate Green' and suggested that the City should consider making a linear park along Rock Island Road and sought pictures of that site. Discussion ensued on exploring a linear park. MAYOR SCHWARTZ, discussed neighborhood complaints pertaining to speeding. She was not familiar with rumble strips and requested the City to look for something inexpensive to install SO that they could send a message. City of Margate Page 2 Printed on 6/17/2025 10:46 AM Regular City Commission Meeting Meeting Minutes June 4, 2025 4) CITY MANAGER'S REPORT CITY MANAGER, CALE CURTIS, thanked the City's crews that came out post-storm last Sunday to start the clean-up and clearing of roadways. He confirmed that the City had debris calling and monitoring contracts in place and that FPL's plan included a year-round tree trimming contract and to trim branches away from trees. He wished Commissioner Simone a Happy Birthday for Thursday and that he had a master plan picture of the linear park in his office. Discussion ensued. MAYOR SCHWARTZ suggested that in reference to hurricane preparedness, if Building Code Services or the Police Department saw something, they would advise the City Manager's Office accordingly. Discussion ensued. 5) CONSENT AGENDA Items listed under Consent Agenda are viewed to be routine and the recommendation will be enacted by one motion in the form listed below. If discussion is desired by the Commission, the item(s) will be removed from the Consent Agenda and will be considered separately. A. ID 2025-129 MOTION APPROVAL OF CITY COMMISSION MINUTES: MAY 7, 2025 REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING Approval of the Consent Agenda A motion was made by Vice Mayor Arserio, seconded by Commissioner Caggiano, to approve the Consent Agenda. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 5- Commissioner Ruzzano, Commissioner Caggiano, Commissioner Simone, Vice Mayor Arserio and Mayor Schwartz 6) ORDINANCE(S) - FIRST READING A. ID: 2025-136 ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 30 PERSONNEL; SECTION 30-23 COVERED PERSONNEL; SECTION 30-42 EXAMINATION PROCEDURE; SECTION 30-43 EXAMINATION AND ORAL BOARD RATINGS; SECTION 30-49 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND POINTS FOR POLICE, PROMOTION; PROVIDING FOR PROMOTION PROCEDURES AND REQUIREMENTS FOR POLICE PERSONNEL; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. A motion was made by Commissioner Simone, seconded by Vice Mayor Arserio, that this Ordinance, First Reading, should be discussed. VICE MAYOR ARSERIO explained that this Item stemmed from past issues within the Police Department and that the City conducted thorough investigations where it was City of Margate Page 3 Printed on 6/17/2025 10:46 AM Regular City Commission Meeting Meeting Minutes June 4, 2025 concluded that there may have been bias in terms of the promotional process. He advised that the Chief of Police had done a good job of organizing a Committee of peers of different ranking. CHIEF OF POLICE, MICHAEL PALMA, explained that this department put a committee together which contained different ranks where a staff survey was conducted. He advised that one of the biggest results found that in terms of promoting a Police Officer to a Police Sergeant, they wanted him completely divorced from that role but sought his input on the position of Lieutenants. He advised that for the first time, they would conduct a Personnel File Review. COMMISSIONER RUZZANO referenced that the Civil Service Board (CSB) where he said that they used to be involved in the process before they were phased out. He questioned ifi it was helpful if the Police Department could not hire externally. CHIEF OF POLICE PALMA, explained that the CSB was part of the process but as observers. He said that the City could not recruit externally for any rank and preferred to promote inhouse. Discussion ensued on the CSB's involvement in the Police Department and the recruitment process. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 5- Commissioner Ruzzano, Commissioner Caggiano, Commissioner Simone, Vice Mayor Arserio and Mayor Schwartz ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:27pm. Respectfully submitted, Transcribed by Salene E. Edwards A Jénnifer M. Johnson, City Clerk Date: 7e/z PLEASE NOTE: City of Margate Page 4 Printed on 6/17/2025 10:46. AM Regular City Commission Meeting Meeting Minutes June 4, 2025 Ifap person decides to appeal any decision made by the City Commission with respect to any matter considered at this meeting, the person will need a record of the proceedings, and for such purpose may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. Anyone desiring a verbatim transcript shall have the responsibility, at his/her own expense, to arrange for the transcript. [Unified Land Development Code Section 40.300(C)] Any representation made before any City Board, any Administrative Board, or the City Commission in the application for a variance, special exception, conditional use or request for any other permit shall be deemed a condition of the granting of the permit. Should any representation be false or should said representation not be continued as represented, same: shall be deemed a violation of the permit and a violation of this section. Any person with a disability requiring auxiliary aids and services for this meeting may call the City Clerk's office at (954) 972-6454 with their request at least two business days prior to the meeting date. One or more members of the City of Margate Boards may be in attendance and may participate at the meeting. Members of the public are invited to view this meeting through Zoom using Webinar ID: 816 1476 6254 or can listen via telephone by calling one of the following phone numbers: US: +1 312 626 6799 or +1 929 205 6099. . A copy of the Agenda for this Meeting is posted on www.MargateFL.com and on the main bulletin board outside City Hall located at 5790 Margate Blvd, Margate, FL 33063. THROUGH THE CITY'S WEBSITE: Go to www.margatef.com Go to "Agendas & Minutes" > Find the respective meeting date and click "Agenda Summary" to view the agenda items and see the Zoom meeting information ALTERNATE OPTION FOR VIEWING AND LISTENING TO THE MEETING THROUGH ZOOM.US Instructions: Topic: "Margate Regular City Commission Meeting" Enter the following link to join the webinar: ntps/ls02web.zom.u1S/81614766254 Telephone: Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on' your current location): US: +1 312 526 6799 or +1 929 205 6099 City of Margate Page 5 Printed on 6/17/2025 10:46 AM