HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-02-12 - City Commission NWCEO Meeting MinutesMINUTES OF THE
NORTHWEST COUNCIL OF ELECTED OFFICIALS MEETING
Monday, February 12, 2024
12:00 Noon
Malbec Grill
7351 North State Road 7
Parkland, FL 33073
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Rich Walker, City of Parkland, called the meeting to order at 12:12 p.m. and welcomed
those in attendance. Self -introductions were made around the room.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Commissioner Hazelle Rogers
Broward County
Vice Mayor Sandra L. Welch
Coconut Creek
Commissioner John Brodie
Coconut Creek
Commissioner Jackie M. Railey
Coconut Creek
Mayor Veronica Edwards Phillips
Lauderdale Lakes
Commissioner Tycie Causwell
Lauderdale Lakes
Commissioner Sharon Thomas
Lauderdale Lakes
Mayor Kenneth Thurston
Lauderhill
Mayor Tommy Ruzzano
Margate
Vice Mayor Arlene R. Schwartz
Margate
Commissioner Antonio Arserio
Margate
Commissioner AnthonyN. Caggiano
Margate
Commissioner Joanne Simone
Margate
Mayor Samson Borgelin
North Lauderdale
Vice Mayor Darrell "Dee" Lewis -Ricketts
North Lauderdale
Mayor Richard Walker
Parkland
Vice Mayor Jordan Isrow
Parkland
Commissioner Simeon Brier
Parkland
Commissioner Ken Cutler
Parkland
Commissioner Neil C. Kerch
Sunrise
ALSO PRESENT:
Monika L. Thompkins, Ex. Asst. to Lori Alhadeff
Captain Michelle McCardle
Deputy Fire Chief Mike Moser
Stephanie Frohman, Deputy City Clerk
Sowande Johnson, Assistant City Manager
Marcela Madigan, Senior Administrative Assistant
Alyson Morales, City Clerk
Anthony Soroka, City Attorney
Jackie Wehmeyer, Senior Director of
Strategy and Intergovernmental Affairs
Robert Meyers
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Broward County School Board
Broward Sheriff's Office/Parkland
Coral Springs -Parkland Fire Dept.
Parkland
Parkland
Parkland
Parkland
Parkland
Parkland
Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman
Approval of the meeting minutes for the January 9, 2024 meeting hosted by the City of
Margate.
Vice Mayor Brier (Parkland), motioned to approve the minutes. Commissioner Lewis -Ricketts
(North Lauderdale) seconded, and the motion was carried unanimously.
3. OLD BUSINESS
There was no old business.
4. NEW BUSINESS
Mayor Walker (Parkland) asked everyone to introduce themselves. He then asked if anyone
individually, or their municipality, had joined the Form 6 lawsuit.
Mayor Walker then introduced today's presentation speakers: Parkland City Attorney Anthony
Soroka and Attorney Robert Meyers, former Executive Director of the Miami Dade
Commission on Ethics and Public Trust, both of Weiss Sorota Helfman Cole + Bierman.
Mr. Soroka spoke about the difference between Form 1 and Form 6 and how Form 6 was
recently mandated to be filed by Florida's local elected officials in 2024. He offered some
resources on how to obtain valuation on assets. There was discussion amongst all regarding
disclosing insurance costs, the effect of joint assets on net worth calculations (reported
separately vs. collectively), and reporting of trust assets.
Mr. Meyers noted that assets worth over $1,000, such as a mutual funds, may be placed
collectively in trusts, partnerships, LLCs and corporations, which allow the assets to be
reported as a whole, rather than broken down separately. He explained liabilities and
examples of what should be reported.
Mr. Meyers explained the repercussions of not filing the Form 6. Several elected officials
across the state have resigned their seats prior to December 31, 2023, to avoid filing the newly
required form. Mr. Soroka spoke about the impending litigation and the $10,000 fee for
municipalities to join the lawsuit. At least 21 municipalities have joined, along with at least 46
individual elected officials who chose to be named as plaintiffs.
Some elected officials expressed that filing a Form 6 seems punitive and that perhaps city
managers and purchasing directors should be required to file Form 6.
5. SCHEDULE OF NEXT MEETING
Mayor Walker announced the March 2024 Northwest Council of Elected Officials meeting
would be hosted by the City of North Lauderdale. Mayor Borgelin (North Lauderdale)
relayed that the exact date would be determined soon.
6. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 1:12 p.m.
Alyson Morales, MMC
City Clerk, City of Parkland