[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6467570,"mediaKeyId","5786045-d96b8ffddaf74a58ec5e25e2f08d49a3","parentId",5786045,"title","Riviera Beach directs staff to craft community benefits ordinance, seeks quick timeline","audioSeconds",133,"startMs",9105000,"endMs",9238000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5786045-d96b8ffddaf74a58ec5e25e2f08d49a3&start=9105&end=9238","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5786045-d96b8ffddaf74a58ec5e25e2f08d49a3/thumbnail_9105000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6467570/Riviera-Beach/Palm-Beach-County/Florida/Riviera-Beach-directs-staff-to-craft-community-benefits-ordinance-seeks-quick-timeline","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6467570-1af1a39a7b0e8b0dc139afc726dcc3ea/orig.mp4?Expires=1770797484&Signature=fdCPPvZxr7rRUSyopqQiG2D~-yPRrD42EAoUlfTuo53wFNhjaZxyUR0~NTxDPmnooRCxz9ieYYpSEgIugCFD9RAVSHUjOlHbqj2bOGofXZ9wHnZJhrwuhYT7FY1AdUSG3UdFrxhyGwYTBJAYt7nWAjHI2rBjOwprn3BiYrH9JXT4qK2qULAghuB5rSyr12ounqyM4zXD3bnBt9LmHYBNEyab-wjFRjEdIHAHJX5pGradmJLjAhyNkgNz1A4ELLqB-3qSuxovvE-ongTztn2IKe29T7rb4Ub4hjST0bHB31FPyXITywBQU9qXgk4XCLwTNfWmhqa2IkILjT5tfp69Mg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Riviera Beach","date","2025-09-18T01:42:05Z","article","The Riviera Beach City Council on Sept. 17 directed staff to work with the city attorney and the Community Redevelopment Agency to prepare an ordinance establishing a community benefits framework to apply when the city is a bona fide partner in redevelopment projects.

City Manager Jonathan Evans explained that other Florida jurisdictions, including St. Petersburg and Miami‑Dade County, have adopted community benefits programs and that the city needs a clear ordinance and development-agreement template so benefits can be negotiated when public assets, incentives or land are part of private development deals.

\"We're asking for the board's concurrence to facilitate the creation of a community benefits program,\" Evans said, and added staff would draft an ordinance and return to council for review. He proposed a 30‑day timeline to bring an ordinance forward for council consideration.

Council members emphasized the need to capture tangible community returns—affordable housing, local hiring, infrastructure upsizing, mobility improvements and other public benefits—when projects involve city participation. Some councilmembers asked that staff consider hiring a consultant to accelerate implementation and ensure legal robustness, while others directed legal staff to draft an in‑house ordinance using existing templates from other cities.

The council agreed to proceed; staff said the city attorney’s office would draft the ordinance and coordinate with CRA staff. Council members asked for a fast timetable because several large development proposals and public‑private projects are already in the pipeline.

No formal ordinance was adopted at the meeting; staff will return with draft language and recommended procedures for review and adoption.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Council Meeting September 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council asked staff and the CRA to draft a community benefits ordinance within 30 days so future redevelopment deals can include local benefits; staff said it will use other Florida municipalities’ templates and work with legal counsel.","taxTitle","Riviera Beach, Palm Beach County, Florida","taxId",68132,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6467574,"Council to solicit proposals for marina management; current contract will be noticed",115,8533000,8648000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5786045-d96b8ffddaf74a58ec5e25e2f08d49a3&start=8533&end=8648","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5786045-d96b8ffddaf74a58ec5e25e2f08d49a3/thumbnail_8533000.jpg","/articles/6467574/Riviera-Beach/Palm-Beach-County/Florida/Council-to-solicit-proposals-for-marina-management-current-contract-will-be-noticed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6467574-0ba80d84de32e0fd644b1aded0ad8a9f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770797484&Signature=EW5eGpfcJS8yliO~mviqm0dNPZsSrTMYwr51Nx-wleiN3z9ml-321q-Vf8KePlLfUBRFwKOB6hdUyMFffHkmty5qx4oMxL-sby7QybSSXmZJlU~KmWpeeGfP6ZlCV4GAImmBwUbZmZKHFPC64~80-MV9E4sKV6efDatNxCvkzD1aTNI3zGRA8ckV05ybEEZPFPX1yX0r3zdFvepcP9btkPszwAm8GKYdeT154Xxs3PFsn582cFKtBnN5ymUVnkrJ1~3CTTy~v2w95UUArTHcdPSVj~vvhhfrSi1t~mIzVCoPHhP27KS13pOqIpSobaGwJjjRh-Sl27ILPPUN9GZ7SQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Riviera Beach City Council on Sept. 17 directed staff to issue a competitive solicitation for marina management services and to notify the current operator that the city will seek proposals.

A councilmember noted the existing contract with 7 Kings Management (Marina Management Services) is expiring and recommended testing the market to ensure competitive pricing and service. City staff confirmed they will provide the operator notice and that 7 Kings may respond to the solicitation as a bidder until a successor is selected.

The council moved and seconded the directive; the clerk recorded a unanimous vote to proceed with notice and a competitive procurement. Staff said the current operator would continue managing day-to-day operations until a successor is selected under the procurement process.

No supplemental financial terms or new contract award decisions were made at the meeting; staff will return with procurement documents and a recommended timeline.","Riviera Beach council directed staff to notify current operator 7 Kings Management and to issue a competitive solicitation for marina management services; operator may bid as a respondent.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6467579,"Riviera Beach council upholds suspension of chief financial officer after closed-session incident",399,8697000,9096000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5786045-d96b8ffddaf74a58ec5e25e2f08d49a3&start=8697&end=9096","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5786045-d96b8ffddaf74a58ec5e25e2f08d49a3/thumbnail_8697000.jpg","/articles/6467579/Riviera-Beach/Palm-Beach-County/Florida/Riviera-Beach-council-upholds-suspension-of-chief-financial-officer-after-closed-session-incident","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6467579-7b039f08fbe8159dcbb0ebd0a202ab2c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770797484&Signature=MhRzFdHof83gQ8R-rqIvns1sAuTNDBdldjXylNQ05fAyQdPSDrNpi36ILt2pkb6HEtycygeRKGhvaKr2rOKhFrnaAux9y7uJalOhC7q~Mxn7~0Ysy7YaMy9Te14Q8dkc1whc9bNv0cXLpzSBV3KO~Kp1VFEUVcmWk9jV~io1uxx9Qn85j-e6plFwFcFJFroBCwHsfBSGAKJi6aOvWHDjVq5OkAfMjv4b~g0rYege~gG~a16DZJY4G9fe7Fm~AkBhZOUKz2ehDfavAal93CDcsTo6C4fnxdLP4A-niOMdceWJ~hSd63uJEo~pmzGcdl58A-vRIr85PFz8fTaWnzNCDw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Riviera Beach City Council on Sept. 17 upheld a three‑day suspension of the city’s chief financial officer following an incident the mayor described as a breach of professional conduct during a closed session.

Mayor Douglas Lawson read a written statement to the council explaining that he had witnessed the CFO openly defy a direction from the city manager and engage in a public argument with outside counsel during a closed labor-session meeting. That conduct, the mayor said, violated the city’s recently adopted bill of rights and standards for leadership.

\"This action was not taken lightly,\" the mayor said, asking the council to support the suspension to preserve public trust and professional standards.

A motion to uphold the suspension was made and seconded; the council voted unanimously to uphold the suspension. Staff clarified that the CFO’s three days of suspension had been unpaid; if the council had voted not to uphold the suspension, pay would have been restored for those dates.

City Manager Jonathan Evans said he will meet with the finance director upon the employee’s return to work to discuss corrective steps and expectations. The council requested training on the bill of rights and a reiteration of conduct expectations for staff.

Several council members and members of the public spoke in support of the finance department’s work and urged fairness; the council’s action addressed conduct and process rather than finance department performance.","Mayor suspended the city’s chief financial officer after a closed-session confrontation; the council voted to uphold the three‑day suspension and directed the manager to meet with the finance director on return.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6467584,"Federal lobbyist tells Riviera Beach council: over $1 million pending for water treatment plant, outlines funding options",647,1327000,1974000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5786045-d96b8ffddaf74a58ec5e25e2f08d49a3&start=1327&end=1974","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5786045-d96b8ffddaf74a58ec5e25e2f08d49a3/thumbnail_1327000.jpg","/articles/6467584/Riviera-Beach/Palm-Beach-County/Florida/Federal-lobbyist-tells-Riviera-Beach-council-over-1-million-pending-for-water-treatment-plant-outlines-funding-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6467584-b25bb6e2f5e9b25bcc8749e48a51b91b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770797484&Signature=k4awHLUlODhju4QzAK~rWH~xXudlrTaDBMlvAg1W3c-0q91qlgsNoYu0kafmipTefEjoq4a1TKJ0RSqQzjq7UCVKNqgmNSqA2sn2gq8P2sRro3~HBQEuu5RY9fiGUJCtuQ6HI-eyBAwRU-kxAeahKOBGC~UuRt0wJGNXaRbM6C6k4ZLIdMPyO~1VJuKuFxlMsXr-vnFYiQoXZ5wqMfJQVL4~K2Y1OfaFWriZIzWHjhK9pwgp0-87PMzl0eFsFXJLMlVpfJlNsPA6C9RWEjdvE6SCwbzgnqbb5wZlSKcHneeoTPwRC7AjnyhjEY2e~SnQbjM2htMLYgijevYvjfqYsQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A federal lobbyist told Riviera Beach officials on Sept. 17 that Congress currently has more than $1 million in community project funding earmarked for the city’s water treatment plant and described federal financing and grant opportunities the city could pursue.

Maurice Kurland of Alcalde & Faye, the city’s Washington, D.C., lobbyist, briefed the City Council on federal appropriations, competitive grants and financing tools and answered council questions about next steps.

\"You have over $1,000,000 earmarked community project funding for your water treatment plant and also $250,000 for housing, elderly housing,\" Kurland said. He added that appropriations are still subject to congressional action.

Kurland summarized federal and federal‑adjacent funding sources that could help a large utility project: the Environmental Protection Agency’s State Revolving Fund programs; WIFIA (Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act) loans, which can finance a significant portion of large projects over extended terms; and community project funding requests from members of Congress. He also described recent grant wins the firm helped secure, including competitive HUD funding and prior appropriations for public safety and transportation planning.

Council members raised practical questions: staff and councilors asked how to position the water treatment plant to be competitive, whether local matching funds would be required, and how to make project sites and constraints visible to members of Congress and regional staff.

Kurland recommended preparing detailed project descriptions, securing local match where required and inviting regional congressional staff to visit project sites so they could better understand the city’s needs. He noted that some grants require a local match (for example, transportation and water projects often require approximately 20% local match) and that different federal tools cover different shares of a project’s cost.

City Manager Jonathan Evans told the council staff and consultants have been coordinating with the lobbyist on submissions and that the city should continue refining project scopes so applications and funding requests are competitive.

The briefing also covered other federal opportunities the firm is tracking, from public safety appropriations to large competitive programs for housing and transportation.

No formal action or vote was taken; staff retained direction to continue working with the firm, compile detailed project materials and pursue appropriate federal and state funding channels.","At a presentation to the Riviera Beach City Council, federal lobbying firm Alcalde & Faye reported more than $1 million in community project funding pending for the city’s water treatment plant and described federal financing options including WIFIA and the state revolving loan fund.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6467589,"Riviera Beach adopts 2025–26 budget, sets millage at 8.35 and approves staff pay increases",3954,4422000,8376000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5786045-d96b8ffddaf74a58ec5e25e2f08d49a3&start=4422&end=8376","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5786045-d96b8ffddaf74a58ec5e25e2f08d49a3/thumbnail_4422000.jpg","/articles/6467589/Riviera-Beach/Palm-Beach-County/Florida/Riviera-Beach-adopts-202526-budget-sets-millage-at-835-and-approves-staff-pay-increases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6467589-d241c3954b47f46f7ba6389ce2163d10/orig.mp4?Expires=1770797484&Signature=LBE9hL~5OIGuxK8DXjq0dMu~6Dg5J4e1~iBiXq5d8A4QFOUY7k~21NIgOERJ7EgOfLDlx6SnyLnpVgVC2dSHXsgFAqiLPH7OjsXPMZulQPzUf1l2mEoHbFliJeo~ueyA82LEl1TROPV8HBNRU5WQay9hI4ID9ui6NY7sy-EeDucU-rXxHcFzlUGswmQP~D0oFOM~Ws~9dJTkSc96NIosXhcMAp7iBnxaMNsy56H1IJ5tw6E2wPYByx4ctYXJmjYTxLNINc-7AUfIWueNIgWrz5U6e2tIYSRmdYowIj4XxDPcmxrzZ6zCbM-Km3fvzPbgslWfXWfqnj-M2KZG9TXT2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Riviera Beach City Council on Sept. 17 adopted the fiscal 2025–26 budget, set a millage rate of 8.35 mills and approved a package of personnel pay adjustments after a lengthy discussion about employee compensation.

The council voted to adopt ordinance 42-86, fixing the millage rate at 8.35 mills for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, 2025, and ordinance 42-87, adopting the city’s $214 million operating budget for fiscal 2026. Council also approved ordinance 42-88, the five-year capital improvements plan for 2026–2030.

The budget vote included a change from staff’s original recommendation. City Manager Jonathan Evans told the council staff had proposed a 3% increase for nonrepresented employees; council members debated higher amounts and settled by majority on a larger increase to improve competitiveness while preserving budget balance. Council also directed that legislative aides receive the same nonrepresented increase plus a one-time 5% equity adjustment to account for previous disparities.

\"Staff is recommending approval of ordinance 42-86,\" City Manager Jonathan Evans said during the second reading, summarizing staff analysis and the balanced-budget requirement. He reiterated that the proposed millage and budget reflect required adjustments to deliver city services and maintain planned capital work.

Supporters of a larger raise said employee morale and cost-of-living pressures justified more than the originally proposed 3%.

\"I would advocate the 5%, and then when the salary survey comes back, then we can increase it,\" Councilmember Priscilla Davis Penier said during the deliberations, urging the council to address pay compression and retention.

Opponents urged fiscal caution, noting ongoing capital projects and future collective-bargaining obligations. After discussion, the council reached a majority agreement to increase the nonrepresented pay adjustment beyond the manager’s proposed 3% (the adopted amount for the budget cycle was recorded by the clerk as 4% by majority), and to provide the legislative aides the additional equity adjustment.

Votes at a glance
- Ordinance 42-86 (millage 8.35 mills): Adopted. Vote: unanimous yes.
- Ordinance 42-87 (operating budget FY 2025–26): Adopted. Vote: passed with one dissent (Councilmember Kushamba Miller Anderson opposed).
- Ordinance 42-88 (five-year capital improvements plan): Adopted. Vote: unanimous yes.

The council asked staff to return supporting materials, including cost breakdowns for alternative raise levels and the ongoing compensation-and-classification study, which staff said would be completed in several months and could be used for future adjustments. The manager said contingency, vacancy savings and other internal adjustments could be used if the council wanted to accelerate any increases.

The budget ordinance takes effect Oct. 1, 2025, and staff will implement the payroll changes in accordance with the adopted budget timeline.","City council adopted a $214 million operating budget and set the property tax millage at 8.35 mills for fiscal 2025–26, approved a capital plan and agreed to an across-the-board pay increase for nonrepresented employees and an equity adjustment for council legislative aides.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Riviera Beach directs staff to craft community benefits ordinance, seeks quick timeline

Council to solicit proposals for marina management; current contract will be noticed

Riviera Beach council upholds suspension of chief financial officer after closed-session incident

Federal lobbyist tells Riviera Beach council: over $1 million pending for water treatment plant, outlines funding options

Riviera Beach adopts 2025–26 budget, sets millage at 8.35 and approves staff pay increases