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Minutes 01-18-22Minutes of the City Commission Meeting Held Online Via the GoToWebinar Platform and In -Person at the City Hall Commission Chambers 100 East Ocean Avenue, Boynton Beach, Florida On Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at 5:30 P.M. Present: Mayor Steven B. Grant Vice Mayor Woodrow L. Hay Commissioner Justin Katz Commissioner Christina L. Romelus Commissioner Ty Penserga 1. Openings A. Call to Order - Mayor Steven B. Grant Mayor Grant called the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m. Roll Call Lori LaVerriere, City Manager James Cherof, City Attorney Crystal Gibson, City Clerk City Clerk Crystal Gibson called the roll. A quorum was present. Invocation by Pastor David McCaman, First Baptist Boynton Pastor David McCaman was not in attendance. The Invocation was given by Vice Mayor Hay. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag led by Commissioner Penserga Commissioner Penserga led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Agenda Approval - 1 . pproval: 1. Additions, Deletions, Corrections 2. Adoption Mayor Grant tabled Item 11 B until the February 1 meeting, removed Item 11 C from the Agenda and added Item 5C to the agenda. Commissioner Penserga would like to add an item under Administrative to allocate $500 of his Community Support Funds to the Boca Raton's Promise Organization to support the Boynton Beach Mental Health Committee. Mayor Grant would also like to donate $500. *Common terminology that may offend people is noted with asterisks. Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, FL January 18, 2022 W,1511=11 Vice Mayor Hay moved to approve the agenda as amended. Commissioner Katz seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 2. Other A. Informational items by the Members of the City Commission. Commissioner Katz had no disclosures. Commissioner Romelus had no disclosures. Commissioner Penserga disclosed he had a conversation with a former Judge Rand Hoch from Palm Beach County's Human Rights Council regarding Item 10A. Vice Mayor Hay had no disclosures. Mayor Grant disclosed that he attended the Palm Beach County Days on January 11-12 in Tallahassee, he met with Representatives Slosberg-King, and Casello, Senators Powell and Berman, and Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Nikki Fried. He also noted a conversation with a representative from the Palm Beach County Fire Department. Discussion ensued about the Department's ability to assist with annexation of outside areas if they move from the Boynton Beach Fire Department into the Palm Beach County Fire Department. He also attended a Dogs on the Beach event on January 15th and expressed appreciation to the Parks and Recreation staff. Later that night, he attended the Historical Society's Highwayman presentation. On January 17th, he attended the MLK Day of Service in the morning and the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration and Commemoration event in the afternoon. He thanked City Staff and the MLK Committee. On January 18th, he met with C. Ron Allen of the KOP Mentoring Network and Andrew Lofholm from CBS 12. Vice Mayor Hay disclosed that he attended the Palm Beach County Days. On January 17th, he attended the MLK Celebration and thanked the Boynton Beach Police Department, City Staff, and City residents. 3. Announcements, Community and Special Events and Presentations A. General Election Proclamation for March 8, 2022 - presented by Mayor Steven B. Grant. Mayor Grant proclaimed the General Election will be held on March 8, 2022, to elect one (1) Commissioner from District 1, one (1) Commissioner from District 3, at Mayor -At -Large to serve a three (3) year term, expiring March 2025. He listed the designated precinct 2 Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, FL January 18, 2022 polling locations. Mayor Grant asked if this election would coincide with the State House 88 Special Election. Ms. Gibson responded yes that it is the same date. Mayor Grant asked if there will be an early voting location for the municipal Election in Boynton Beach. Ms. Gibson replied that the early voting location will be at the Ezell Hester Community Center. B. Proclamation declaring January 23 - 29, 2022 Boynton Beach School Choice Week. Ron McCarthy, Principal of Quantum High School, will accept the proclamation. Ron McCarthy, Principal of Quantum High School, accepted the Proclamation and acknowledged Boynton Beach High School and the entire community. C. Proclamation recognizing January 4, 2022, as World Braille Day. The proclamation will be accepted by Larry McDowell, President of the Braille Club of Palm Beach County Inc. Larry McDowell, President of the Braille Club of Palm Beach County Inc., accepted the Proclamation and thanked the City. He noted they were formerly located in West Palm Beach for 52 years but are happy to be relocating to Boynton Beach. D. Presentation of the City's Climate Action Plan Annual Update by Rebecca Harvey, Sustainability Coordinator. Rebecca Harvey, Sustainability Coordinator, reviewed the Climate Action Plan Annual Update. She noted the City adopted the Plan on March 3, 2020, but acknowledged the sudden impact of COVID-19 two weeks later and how that shifted the City's focus to Public Health since. In 2020 and 2021, she shared, the United States experienced $42 billon in weather disasters. The City's greenhouse gas reduction targets are a 50% reduction from 2015 levels by 2035 and net zero emissions by 2050. The co -benefits of greenhouse gas reduction include cost savings, economic development, public health, ecosystem protection, and climate resilience. She explained emissions are tracked two ways. The first way is to track emissions from government operations and the second is tracking community -wide emissions. She noted the community -wide emissions are increasing, which can be attributed to the city-wide population increase of 10.4% from 2015 to 2020. In the community -wide emissions by sector breakdown, transportation decreased but stationary energy (electricity) and waste increased. She noted this data does not include the Tree Canopy Program. Ms. Harvey highlighted progress in key 3 Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, FL January 18, 2022 areas. She reviewed the next steps for the Climate Action Plan. Mayor Grant asked about the Sustainability Fund and if there is information or a button on the Utility webpage. Ms. Harvey replied there is no current plan how spending from the Sustainability Fund as they are focused on spending operational funds. She recalls discussion on a stand-alone button on the website and she deferred to any other City staff member who has more insight or a status update. Mayor Grant would like to see a deadline for that initiative so it can be promoted. He also noted his goal would be to use a few thousand dollars from the Sustainability Funding to plant nature flora around the lake at Echo Park. 4. Public Audience Individual Speakers Will Be Limited To 3 Minute Presentations (at the discretion of the Chair,this 3 minute allowance may need to be adjusted depending on the level of business comingbefore the City Commission) Bishop Bernard Wright, 713 NW 7t" Street, CEO of Bernard Wright Ministries, President of the Community Review Board. He stated there is a narrative that needs to be clipped. The narrative is this young man, Stanley Davis III, was riding his dirt bike recklessly on Boynton Beach Boulevard but he died on Federal Highway. Legally there is no connection with that and there is no substantial evidence. There was no crime. Only word of mouth. We know there is footage of him being gunned down, chasing someone, and breaking protocol. Seconds later, he is dead. This narrative needs to stop. It was not a traffic stop. This is making it seem like the parents are irresponsible and they poured their whole life into this child. He was an honor roll student. This spirit is for every child to strive for excellence because of this child. We are hearing the parents need to be charged on Facebook because of this narrative. The PBA and Police Union might control the meetings, but it comes from here. We do not want to hear no more of it. Let's look at this thing like it is supposed to be. There is no legality. It is a mockery and a farce. It is false narrative and systemic racism. We do not know what time or what point it was called in. We have an eyewitness connected with my family. Who was there to call for medical attention? I was there before they got there. A sheet was over him. We already have a Citizens Review Board and Latosha Clemons is the Vice President and I am the President. We are going to bring our table around your table until this investigation is over. I speak for and in support of this family and as your current candidate for Mayor, with eleven years of community activism. There is not a candidate running against me that can say they have done anything for these people. I support you all. Tina Hunter, SJ's grandmother, asked why the cop did not go over to SJ when he noticed him at the gas station. All of this could be avoided. He could have told SJ dirt bikes are not allowed. All of this could be avoided. He chose not to. He wanted to chase SJ and 12 Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, FL January 18, 2022 then tell a story about SJ driving recklessly. That is a lie. He came after him as soon as he saw him take off from the gas station. So why did he say he got him for reckless driving? His life and safety should have been more important than the chase, but he put the chase more important than his life. We do not need cops like that on the street because he does not care about human life, even if it is a child. Renee Morris, SJ's aunt, asked what it would take to get this officer off the force. Maybe losing his golf privileges. Losing his Laser privileges. Accused of raping a young lady. Three chases with no body cam or dash cam. No witnesses and him conducting the narrative. He is an animal. He is killing our kids with this car. What is it going to take? Killing one of your kids, one of the white kids. Yes, it is a race thing. He is a redneck, an animal, and does not deserve to be a Police officer. He came from Ft. Lauderdale and got kicked off the force for the way he was using his canine unit. You all felt the need to pick that scumbag up here to terrorize our community. This is not fair. I am pissed because my nephew is dead, and my other nephew is threatening to kill himself because of a racist. I know how to get him out of here. We get all of you out of here. I have been voting since I was 18 and it is time to vote you all out. You all do not care a d**n thing about our community. You came to the vigil for what. We do not want you there. You are full of crap and you are going along with them because you are running for the Senate. We are going to make sure you do not get on the Senate. Because you are full of crap too. Ester, 800 S. Federal Highway, stands with the Thompson and Davis Family. I am upset. I am outraged at the City of Boynton Beach and the Boynton Police Department. They are accountable for SJ's death. SJ was an intelligent child, from Headstart, to elementary school, to middle school and his life was robbed from him at the hands of Officer Mark Sohn. We need you guys to arrest this man and have him fired from the Police Department. He needs to be arrested. Like I heard it said earlier, when he saw SJ at the gas station, he could have stopped him. He could have put on the sirens on and said "Young man, put that bike up. I need you to call your parents." But no, he did not have good intentions. His heart was rotten. What did he do? Go behind the store and hunt this kid like he was a freaking animal. He would not have done that to nobody else. He needs to get off the force and we need dash cams. You cannot tell me, or anyone else in this room, that these Police cars do not have any dash cameras. You guys are trying to sweep this under the rug. You guys are responsible, and we demand justice. We want justice for SJ. This young man was a bright star. He could have been the next President. He could have been the next neurosurgeon. But we will never know, because of Mark Sohn. Does he have a wife? Does he have children? How can she lay up under this killer? He is responsible for three deaths already in the black community. I feel like every family should get together and sue the City of Boynton Beach and sue the Police Department. Maybe that way you guys will take him off the force. I myself was harassed by the Police Department. I have lived in Boynton most of my adult life. I go to businesses on 10th Avenue. I saw my son's friend and I said hi to him. Then I saw the Police pull up before me, so I thought "Let me get out of the way." He followed me and I knew he was following me. He followed me down streets. I stopped and he was like "Where are you going?" and 5 Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, FL January 18, 2022 I am like "Tending to my business." Why are you harassing me? I was scared. I was terrified. I even had a male companion in the car with me at the time. I can just imagine how this baby felt. We are tired of this injustice. We bleed red just like you do. Mayor Grant asked I.T. if they have the hand raise feature enabled online for virtual attendees. I.T. staff confirmed it is enabled and there is one question so far. Commissioner Romelus reminded the audience there are two mics if people want to line up to make the process move along. Alonzo is hurt, angry, and mad by SJ's death. He said SJ was like a little brother to me, a little brother I never had because my mom had three girls and I am the only boy. So how I feel, words cannot explain. SJ is a good kid who tells me every morning to make sure I am up and ready for school. After we are done texting, he always says have a good day at school and I love you. He makes sure I make it to the bus stop on time, so I was to be an honor roll student just like him. I could not even get up the last few days because I did not get his text message. He did not deserve this. He was not a bad kid. My summer would not be the same because SJ made sure I was there for every game. SJ would wake me up or I would wake him up and make sure every Saturday he was ready to play his football game. SJ always looked forward to school and football and riding the bikes. It is not going to ever be the same no more. We need justice for SJ. Timothy Anderson said I do not feel good about Stanley's death because he was my main man, my right-hand man. My best friend. Now he is gone. Now we cannot spend nights together, hang together, and be there for each other. I feel like my life is in danger because I am a black man and I like to do the same thing as SJ did. When I see a cop car, I get scared because I do not know what is going to happen. Anything can happen to me. Kirsten, friend of Stanley's, said when she heard about his passing it broke her down. I could not believe what was going on because I had just seen him at Christmas. Stanley was an amazing child. He would never be in any drama and always stayed out of trouble. He was like a brother to me and his passing really hurt me. He would not want any of us to cry. I like to remember the great times like when I used to ride with him. Stanley was an amazing friend and always stuck up for his friends. He was never the type to let one of his friends to get bullied. Stanley is still a kind and loving person who puts a smile on all of our faces. Stanley is the type of person you look forward to seeing every day. Stanley is the type that made any one feel better. He was the best friend I ever had. LaToya, Kirsten's mom, said Mark Sohn is a serial killer employed by the City of Boynton Beach Police Department. All of you, every single last one of you, are just as guilty. This is not the first life he has taken, by breaking Police policy. Your policy. We get up here and we have three minutes and then you cut us off. He has taken three lives. When is it 0 Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, FL January 18, 2022 enough? I pray that each and every one of you do not get a peaceful moment until you do the right thing. I pray this on your mind, your heart, and your spirit. You all are just as guilty. Just as guilty. That baby should be here today. His parents should be getting up and getting him ready for school. Each and every one of you should be held accountable. But, we getting all you're a***s up out of here in March. You better believe it. Let's go baby. Shamarie Davis, SJ's cousin, said she is going to speak from the heart. Every time we have stuff like this, I just talk about the good times and stuff like that. Today, I am going to talk about a moment I had before dance practice. All day I was worrying about who was going to pick me up before practice so I can make it here before 6:00 p.m. If I ride the bus, I will get into Boynton around 6:10 p.m. and everything will be over. So, I am rushing, trying to call to see who is going to be able to pick me up and take me here. I am also just trying to get everything together. It was not the face that I would not get here. It was the fact that I would miss it. The thing is, he would have football games and other events, but I would not worry so much about getting there because there is a next time. There is another game next weekend that I could make it to instead. But I do not have a next time with this. I do not have a next time with nothing. That is what made me so angry, so mad, made me cry. If I miss it, I miss it. This was my one shot. If I miss it this is not a boomerang. I do not get to come back. I do not get another chance. This is all I got. This is my one shot. All I am trying to say is, you guys, of course you cannot have a trial. You cannot do the case over again for the same thing. You cannot do it. So, this is all our one shot. So, everything we do is going to be extreme. It is going to be so much and overwhelming because this is our one shot. We are going to do everything to get justice because it is our one shot. We do not have another chance so please help us and do right by us to help us make right by our one shot. Help me get there. Like I got here today. Help me get justice. Please. Help me get my one shot. Thank you. Tory Orr, 106 Ocean Breeze, stands with the family, stands with Shannon, and stands with the families on both sides. I just feel that this officer is not charged yet, he is not fired yet, he is still getting paid from the community. They are still paying this Officer. He has been off for seventeen (17) days, and we are still paying him. They are paying this Officer to sit at home and look at his family and chill and get paid. Is that fair? We are asking for accountability, and we are going to keep asking. We are demanding accountability for this officer to be fired and charged because a child lost his life. Like Shannon says, she will not have anyone to call her mom anymore. That is a miracle child. To see my cousin Stanley back there going through a lot. All of them are. Cousins. Aunts. It is weighing down on us. We are not going to keep asking for accountability. We know you all are supposed to do right. We pay you for that. This is our City Hall. Our Library. This is our stuff. This is our City. We put these people in these positions. We can get them out of there as well. The City of Boynton Police Department as the biggest bullies I have ever seen. I have been in Florida since 1985 and they were busting into my grandmother's house then. Way back in 1985 they have been putting down that thing on us in the black community. Like I have said before, Mark Sohn slammed me before. Good thing I had people there. He probably would have murdered me. This Officer needs to be held 7 Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, FL January 18, 2022 accountable. We just want this Officer fired. We do a lot in this City. We asking nicely. People saying what a bad parent my cousin is. How a bad parent Shannon is. What is going on with this? It is showing two Boyntons. Who are making these narratives up? Is it coming from City Hall? Is it coming from you? Why are these people making up these judgments? That is a child. I thought a child was a child. I did not know it needed to be a specific color. I want to tear up this d**n City Hall right now. I am not going nowhere. F**k you. Mayor Grant called time and asked Tory to leave. Pernell Davis, 832 NW 8t" Avenue, requested extra time, which was acknowledged by Mayor Grant. As we want to the Martin Luther King Celebration yesterday, and we did come in peace. I know you all want peace and quiet, but you cannot have both. We do not come in peace, and we are going to be loud every time. So, every event that is on your calendar is going to be disrupted by us. Every single time. Because we need to be heard and coming here for our three (3) minutes some people do not here it. These people are going to get tired of us coming and disrupting their stuff. We want accountability from the people in this room. I did a little bit of research. Every one of the people sitting up here is voted in except for (points to someone) you, Lori, and the Attorney. I also kept looking and Ms. Lori, you have been here since the first casualty he caused. You were the Interim City Manager in 2011 until December 2012 so you are only the common denominator. So, you and the Mayor have the power to hire and fire. Mayor Grant acknowledged he does not. Pernell Davis continued by saying the City Manager does have the power and they have not seen the problem yet. So, if you have not seen the problem them, what makes us think you'll see the problem now. It says in your Linkedln bio that you have 25 years of achievement including policy development and implementation. Your pursuit policy said it needs to be a felony to make them want to pursue. A forceable felony so, therefore, when he chased that guy in the car that ended up hitting and killing a 5 -year-old, it was because he had an expired tag. I am pretty sure most of us here have made a mistake before and had an expired tag. We did not get in a high-speed chase. We did not run someone over with a car and are now facing life in prison. When Officer Sohn got what? Since 2012 your policy has been broken more than once by the same Officer who is still here. I wish this was a Q & A so you could answer some of these questions. Maybe we could have a meeting with you and Ms. Lori. I would love to talk to you. It says you oversee $172 million from the City with 70,000 citizens in this City. If you would misallocate or misappropriate $1 million, what would happen to you? You would probably be fired. So, these three lives that were taken, were not they worth at least $1 million? What happens when you break the policy? We all work here. We had jobs before. When we break policy, what happens? What is the difference here? The City is scared of the Union. We are not going nowhere. We got time. So, every time you have an event the rest of your citizens are going to be upset but we really do not care. I was told the only way we will get help or the City to see it our way is that it has to be give and take. God d**n, we gave a life. 0 Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, FL January 18, 2022 We ain't giving nothing else. I am going to say this again. Every single time you all have something we are going to be out there with our bullhorns. We have a right to be there. When you have your movie night on the lawn, you ain't going to hear nothing else but us. So, bring your chairs and bring your popcorn. We appreciate your time. Ms. Lori, you can hit me up if you want to have the meeting. Thank you. Carmen Morris, 333 12th Avenue, is Stanley Davis's mom and SJ's grandma. Mark Sohn, I really do not know this man. I cannot place his face. But I can remember many a time when my son, Stanley, was riding a dirt bike. They would bump him off his dirt bike. They would run him down. They would chase him. This young man is 38 years old now. It is been going on for so many years. They chase my son Stanley and now they chased my grandson and they killed him and at the scene, no car, no camera, no nothing. I am upset with the City of Boynton. I have been clean and sober for sixteen (16) years. I got rights. I want to see justice for my grandson. Mark Sohn is sitting at home, chilling and s**t, and getting paid on my money, on my dollar, and I do not feel like that is right. I do not mean to be disrespectful, but that s**t is disrespectful to my family, my son, his baby's momma. We need justice for SJ, Stanley Davis III. That is what I need. I am his grandma. When my son said he was having a baby and he needed his mom to be a better grandma I stopped doing drugs for that child. That dude kept me strong. Kept me out of the streets. Made me get a job. I have been a grandma for 17 years, not just 13, but when that dude came into the world, I changed my whole perspective of everything I did. Now my baby gone, and I do not understand that s**t. It ain't clear to me. That dude hunted my grandson. Who the h**I is Dogman? Then I hear all these stories about a grown man chasing these kids on bikes. My grandson might have looked like an adult, but he was not no f*****g adult. He was 13 years old, and that man did the most. He did the most running my grandson down. All he had to say was baby you cannot ride that bike. Call your people. I do not understand this s**t man. My heart is broken. He was a good dude. Excellent child. Spoiled rotten but he had respect for everybody. You all need to do something about that man or somebody else is. Bryce Graham, 2nd Vice President for the National Action Networks, Florida Chapter. Do you hear the pain and the cry of this community? If my math serves me correctly, three weeks ago, 23 days ago, 546 hours ago, 32,795 minutes ago, 1,967,728 second ago, when Stanley Davis III was pursued, and chased, and killed by your Officer. Where is the accountability in this City? I am glad his uncle said the City Manager, because it lies on you. So, I have come again to remind you that we are not going anywhere until we get justice. This city is fed up with your officers treating them any kind of way. It is not just this one officer. It is all of them. We have come to clean house in Boynton Beach. We have come with a couple of demands because it seems like there is a lag or glitch when it comes to you moving. Our demand is you stop lying and release the dash cam video and all the surrounding videos in the community. That is Federal Highway with businesses full of videos. Release the videos when Stanley Davis III was pursued and chased the day after Christmas. We have come with demands. We want to meet with you City Manager. We want to meet with all the Council and the Chief to get the answers that we need. But, number two, we want you to officially say who this Officer is in the media because the 0 Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, FL January 18, 2022 public know who it is. If you do not get to moving, we are going to bring national attention to this City, and you do not want the heat. Like I told you the last time, the searchlight is on. Demitri Gross is Stanley's uncle. I witnessed Officer Mark Sohn chase my nephew to his death. I was the third person on the scene after my nephew met his fatality. Officer Sohn was not rending aid and would not let me render aid to my nephew. He would not let me touch my nephew. I watched my nephew lay there and die. This cop did not give a f**k about SJ. Then I recognized who he was, and I have been having run-ins with Mark Sohn since I was 14 years old and I am four months shy of 40. 1 had a run-in with Mark Sohn three weeks ago. Mayor Grant, 1 see you in the community every day. 1 bet if 1 ran you're a** over, you all would have dash cams. You all would have everything. This cop has been harassing us for years. For f*****g years. F**k you too. This s**t ain't fair. You have been treating us like s**t for years. I ride down f*****g Boynton Beach Boulevard, go over 1-95, and your kids over there riding their bikes. No helmet. No parental supervision. When my nephew rides his bike, the only thing the neighbors complain about is the noise early in the morning. You all come across 1-95 and harass us daily. We cannot do nothing. We cannot stand out there and talk amongst each other without the Police bothering us and it is been going on for years. They try to harass us. They try to run us to our grave. But guess what? We gonna start fighting back so you're a** better get ready. John Dames, Boynton Beach resident for 58 years, works in Government. Born and raised in Cherry Hill. This has been happening with this Police Department for over 60 years. It is under your umbrella. You cannot tell me this kid had to lose his life like that. Everyone saw the video. You cannot tell me he did not have an opportunity to walk over to SJ. A real public servant would not have chased him. If that was his kid, he would not have chased him. If that was his neighbor's kid, he would not have chased him. So, Reverend Hay, I respect you but I am going to ask you a favor. Not because you represent District 2 and not because you have been Interim Mayor. That does not mean anything. I am asking you because you are a man of God. As a man of God, I am asking you to rebuke all these demonic spirits that is in the Police Department as I speak. As a man of God, I am asking you to connect to somebody in this City that has some discernment. Spirit recognizes spirit. Get higher. Change people. Tell people they are not going to hide behind Marshall Law and then go home and celebrate with a homemade margarita. The devil is a liar. This is just the beginning. This community is going to stick together. You have been killing us for 60 years. It does not happen in Delray. It does not happen in Boca. Why is it just happening in this City? Because the demonic spirits in this Department have been passed down from generation to generation. Reverend Hay, rebuke it in Jesus' name. Shakira Green, lifelong resident, is here for two reasons. The first is releasing the dash cam videos. Why was not Mark's car equipped with the cam? Where is the video? Number two is to stop hiding this career criminal. Say his name. Show his ugly face. Put his whole name in the media. Show his face. Not just "Officer involved". It disgusts me to see the same panel as when we were here two weeks ago and to see nothing has been done. 10 Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, FL January 18, 2022 Twenty-three days and the family to Stanley III still do not have answers to what happened on December 26. We the people, have yet to get closure to what happened to a great friend, a brother, and a cousin. A great child to both his parents. To hear the children asking "what did you get for Christmas" to now. All these conversations are about death. I do not want to die. This is not right. Especially because are back here pleading with Boynton Beach to do the right thing. I guess no one up here has a conscience to do the right thing and to take it to the next level to lock this career criminal up. When you can no longer sleep and you see SJ's smile on the back of your eyelids, it is us the people. When you can no longer swallow or eat your food it is because in the back of your head you know this d**n man killed this d**n baby. When you ride down your pleasant neighborhood and you see protest signs with names of them for justice, that is us. When you have an itch that you cannot rid of in you are a**, that is us, the people. I think I want to become a Boynton Police Officer so I can kill people and go home on a paid vacation. Mark killed three people and had three paid vacations. Thank you. Shakira Prince, lifelong resident, and mother. My heart breaks for this family. I have personally witnessed Mark Sohn take children from our Community Center and have them placed down in handcuffs and zip ties. With parents willing up not knowing what was going on. This Officer was at the crime scene tape telling parents move back, get back, this is an active investigation, or you will be in handcuffs next. The only thing that made those officers take those handcuffs and zip ties off those children is when Channel 25 news pulled up. I am asking my community when they see a Police Officer who is not acting right to call the news. You cannot get your stories straight. Every time we turn around it is something different. We are being attacked as a community on your Boynton Beach Police Department page. What happened to vehicle two? Every single car is top- of-the-line. There is no realistic excuse for why there is no body cams or dash cams. It should automatically be done. You are riding around in state-of-the-art vehicles. Miami PD are still driving cars from 1990. We have cars with holographic images on the side and you do not even know it is a Boynton Beach Police Officer until you pull up on the side. There is no excuse for why we do not have what we need. If it was someone who looked like half the panel up here you guys would have dash cams, body cams, each and every video from businesses. If it was a white child killed by a black officer, we really would not be having this conversation right now at all. All we are asking for is accountability. Everyone knows Mark Sohn as the Dogman. I am not a career criminal. I go to work every day and even I have had a run-in with this man. I moved and when I come back to this City I am shaking in my boots when a Police Officer gets behind me because I am a black woman in America and it is so hard to just come to our City and visit our loved ones without feeling like we are going to be gunned down. I am scared to go buy a new car because I am scared you are going to pull me over. I'd rather ride in a bucket because you cannot progress in life and come back here and ride in this City. If you come in here with anything that is above your paygrade you do not like it and you pull us over every single time. We are going to get justice for SJ and everybody else. Stanley Davis, father of SJ, wants to share the affect the incident has on his family. At the end of the day, SJ was a kid. None of the things that transpired that day should have 11 Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, FL January 18, 2022 transpired. We do not live on this side of town. We live on the other side. In my community, it is my son and a couple of other white kids who ride their dirt bikes. The officers that police my neighborhood would call me with any neighbor complaints. There were times that I picked up my son and three other white kids. There was no chase and pursuit on that side of the bridge. I had run-ins with the Police. This is about patrolling certain communities, with different incomes and it is policed differently. I look at my son's friends and it is having a toll on them and a toll on me. My house was the summer house and it will not be that anymore. I took pride in having those kids in the summer where they have nowhere to go or nothing to do. That is 20-30 kids where I do not have control over their environment and knowing that they are safe. I am failing those kids. Look at me, I am 160 lbs. Before this incident, I was 190 lbs. I do not eat. I do not sleep. I have outbursts and I am violent. I am thinking about death, and I never felt like that. I was always a positive person no matter what happened to me, and I always knew I was strong. I cannot even look at his friends. It hurts me. I know I am not the man I once was to them. I would lay my life on the line for them but now I am weak. I do not like people to view me as weak. I am not asking for sympathy, and I do not want you all to see me cry. I am not here to bash you. I just want you to do what is right. Not only for me but for the community. You see the affect it is had on kids. His classmates call me. Do not fail the community. Do not fail the youth. It is about all the kids on that side of the bridge. I had to bring the kids to an event yesterday because they were terrified to come because the Police were going to be there. I got calls from certain individuals to think things are going to be out of control. It is not like that. We are not animals. We are not violent people. We might be emotional. We are just human. It does not affect you. I raised a son from a baby that I watched walk through the door every day and I would no longer feel that. You may understand but you cannot feel. I just want what is right. Stop painting a picture of my son of an individual he was not. He was not that person. My son was never on Boynton Beach Boulevard popping wheelies. You guys right the wrong. You guys know what happen. I am not pointing fingers at no one. I am more concerned at the outcome with this situation with my son and to better Boynton Beach. If you want a better community, you need to do your part to create a better relationship with the community. I always taught my son to be respectful. If you are scared, it is human nature to do what you think is right for you. I ran from them because I was scared. Does anyone on this panel feel like their life should be in jeopardy when they do something that is not right? You have the power and strength to do what is right. That is what we expect as a community. I do not want them to go through this again. I should be the last parent to feel this pain. Thank you. Carmen Morris spoke again about her son Stanley Jr. She said her son talked about killing himself last night on Facebook because his son is not there anymore. My baby has not cried since he was 3 years old. He is my strong son. I love all three of my boys. To see that he wrote "F**k life" on text this morning, that tore me up. He is not coming back. We are just asking for justice for Stanley Dale Davis III. 1 need justice for my grandson. We want peace. He raised SJ. He had him for 13 years and now he is gone. My son tore up and it hurts my heart. I was not there for them as a mother. I was out here on the streets, on drugs, the police chasing me. I could not do nothing but better myself. Clean and sober 16 years and helping my kids raising their kids. I have been in and out of jail. 12 Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, FL January 18, 2022 For 6 years in a row, I was in jail for Christmas and New Year's. I just need justice for my grandson. Antwon, resident, said on December 19th, you all chased us. I was with SJ. We turned around before Gateway and saw Dogman. SJ wrote a post about it later. It is not funny anymore because he is gone. You all always chase us. On January 1St, when we rallied and went to the Police Department you recorded us. You know you have dash cam video. Stop lying. If you can record us by the Hester Center, why do you say you do not have footage? I just want justice. That is it. Shakka Price said he does not know what it will take for this officer to be locked up. Mr. Hay, I saw you at the funeral, heard you speak, and say you were down with the family. If that is true and you are really down with us, you will not be sitting up there long. I think you know that. If you are really down with us, it will show. I want to know if you all saw the video of SJ being chased from the Chevron gas station? Mr. Grant is that a yes or a no. Mayor Grant replied yes. Did you see what actually occurred right before the officer was able to turn north? Did you see the car that he almost crashed into? So that means he put other lives in danger. He did. You do not want to admit it because you are on the hot seat. Let's say SJ was behind the wheel of a moving vehicle of a car, and he made a bad decision and it cost the life of another individual. Would SJ have gone home to his family that day? Would SJ have been charged? It is just so weird because I got beat up at the Hester Center and there were a million eyes around and it is so familiar, they did not have video at the gym either. It is 2022 and you still have vehicles with no dash cams? All this technology. If we sell any drug on 10th Avenue, you know. You roll up on us. It is harassment in our own city. What is it going to take to get the justice for SJ and the rest of the people? I saw the Dogman chase Cyrus. A kid dead from the same Officer. He is a serial killer. You all going to make it right? Or I am sorry Shannon, I am Stanley, I am sorry this happened to you. You gotta make that right or we are gonna make it right. Irving, resident, said you have learning moments as a young man. There is something that happens to black males, especially when they cross 10-11 years old, where you are no longer seen as a youth or kid that is learning. Why does a 13 -year-old have to be smarter than this serial killer Mark Sohn? Why do we always have to be more responsible than those who are trained so we can survive? That s**t do not make no sense at all. We know what moves these rooms is money and influence. I am 36 and if a cop pulls up behind me, I get nervous. He is 13 years old and has not even lived enough live to understand how to maneuver and survive a moment. He is acting off of emotion and there are all these narratives that act like he needs to know this and that. He is 13 f*****g years old. Now he cannot have a learning moment. That is f****d up. This Mark Sohn serial killer dude needs to be locked up. There are bulls**t narratives that say what constitutes a chase? I am proud of Boynton Beach to continue to protest in the streets but you also got to play the legal and politics game. Deandre Benson, lifelong resident, had a few relatives that passed before but no one really at his age. SJ is not a family member. Just a kid I watched grow up. I idolized his 13 Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, FL January 18, 2022 father. I wanted to be a great father. I enjoyed every moment around SJ. He is talk about his dad a lot, rode bikes, and he was an all-around good kid. I ride bikes also. When SJ first started riding with me. I asked if you were ever in trouble by yourself with the law what would you do? He told me his dad said do not ever run, I will come help you. So, on that day, I know SJ was scared for his life. At the end of the day, everyone in the room knows SJ was a bright kid, and he was going to be something. I knew that. It should not have gone down like that. He had high school football coming up. Honor roll kid. SJ made me a better father. I love him and I hope he gets justice. Shalanda Bridges, Boca Raton, is hurt and disappointed. My son played football with SJ since he was 5-6 years old. All around good kid. Not one bad thing to say about this child. His father is broken. His mother is broken. Because someone you hired wanted to be a serial killer. He killed that child. We are not going nowhere. I will make time because we want justice. We are telling you we want justice. I am the mother of six children, and I cannot even fathom what they are going through. Whether you are white, black, purple, blue it ain't right. Whether they are riding here or out west at Boca it does not matter. Leave them the h**I alone and let them enjoy life. Now his a** is on vacation with our dollars. He is on vacation while we are suffering and crying. I have never seen Stanley cry. Ever. This did not have to happen, and it should never happen again. We want justice now. We demand justice now. We want answers. We want video. Today. Nikya, daughter of Cyrus Deal, said her dad was the first person this Officer was able to kill. My dad had a voice but he is not here to tell his side of the story. I did not know SJ, but his story touched me personally. I am 18 and my dad died when I was 8. He missed out on teen years of my life. I graduated high school and my dad could not be there for that. Ten birthdays passed and my daddy could not be there for that. I am just not understanding how he was able to kill three people. How did it get to three? Why did not you stop him at one? It just makes me so angry. I have two little brothers and I do not want them growing up around here with officers like this. When are you all going to stop it? I wish my dad was here to see me now. I have been doing hair for four years and I guarantee if my daddy was here, he would invest in my business, but he cannot because he is not here because of this officer. I am sure this officer has kids. How would he feel if someone did this to his children? This is this mom's only child. She no longer has anyone to call her mom. How does he sleep at night? He took three people. SJ did not have to die. If we get justice for SJ, we will get justice for my dad, and the little boy who died also. I wake up three times each night and every time I wake up I think about my dad and how my life would be if he was here. I cry myself back to sleep because my daddy is not here to see me grow. His kids see their dad. I really hope we get justice. Shannon Thompson, introduced herself as Stanley Dale Davis III, residing at the 300 block of Federal Highway, where he was killed. I took the liberty of looking at a few job descriptions on the panel. I noticed, Mayor, you have the ability to appoint and remove Department heads. Commissioners, your responsibility is to oversee management and administration and oversee the City's interests at the State and Federal level. I also took it upon myself to look at the job descriptions for the Boynton Beach Police Department. It 14 Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, FL January 18, 2022 clearly states part of the job is they are responsible for maintaining peace and safety, protecting life and property, and promoting community engagement and trusting of residents. Boynton Beach Police Officers service a diverse and highly multicultural community. Knowledge of basic first aid methods and mental health as part of their requirements. Under skills, they are to show compassion, emotional support, and empathy for others. Lastly, it says they are to accept responsibilities of their own actions. Part of the pursuit policy states "vehicular pursuits will be initiated only if the officer has reasonable belief that the person fleeing has committed a forceable felony. That is defined as murder, manslaughter, sexual battery, carjacking, home invasion, robbery, arson, kidnapping, serious aggravated assault, and battery." Stanley Dale Davis III had none of these. This officer blatantly violated the policy you have in place. Then, I looked at the role of Chief Michael Gregory and his requirements is to have extension experience working in Police Department, a solid knowledge of police methods and practice, excellent knowledge of Federal law and regulations. Why is he not reprimanding one of his staff members? It is preposterous that we are here demanding video footage to be released as if he does not exist and we know it exists. I also have the liberty of having a recording of this same Chief Michael Gregory on the scene on December 26, 2021, as my child lay there dead. You guys released an inaccurate statement and I asked him to recant the statement because those adjectives used against my child are very false, malice, and they are going to do destruction. This is one the scene but you guys were so pressed to release a statement without even having the facts, just opinions, to cover up what this officer did. In doing so, I asked him what are the policies and procedures of these vehicle? He did not know I was recording him. He stated all the vehicles are equipped with dash cams and they are to come on immediately when those lights are rendered. He then proceeded to say he does not know if that happened in this case. I am not asking about this case. I am asking what is your standard protocol and policy? For you to now be recanting, shows us to our face, you guys are covering up something and lying to us and that is what pisses me of. As a community, I want you all to know, we have the right to request records of the officers and everyone here. When we have tried to receive their records, it was a stop. I do not know why because under the Florida Freedom of Information Act, we are entitled to this information. So, why are we being stopped? It appears Boynton is incapable of the investigation because you guys are corrupt. I am here to get justice for my child. I am here to clarify some things that was part of the narrative. Let me state the facts. I just turned 32 in October, and I have been a nurse for over 10 years. I am responsible enough to care for your loved ones at the beginning of your life and sometimes I am the last one they see. I am responsible enough to serve as a Director of Nursing two times and currently serve as an Assistant Director of Nursing. I am responsible enough to go do traveling assignments. So, when they ask where his responsible parents are, she is right here. When they say it is about money I can go do a traveling assignment for 8 weeks and bring back $80,000 so this has nothing to do with money. I am a humble person. When they paint the narrative about Stanley, they need to paint it well, because he comes from responsible parents. He comes from a good background. I reside in new condos less than a mile away from the beach, paying $3,100 a month. So, this is not about us coming from poverty, not having the opportunities. He had the best of the best. Now, paint that narrative. 15 Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, FL January 18, 2022 Alicia Reeves said she might need longer than three minutes. She is SJ's aunt and Shannon's sister. I have not spoken throughout the case. I echo what everyone has said. We want justice. We want answers. The main thing that I have struggled with about this case is that we pleased with the Chief the day SJ died to have that statement changed. He refused to take it down. We compromised because we knew in the court of public opinion, he was already guilty. He character is being demolished. You all have allowed this narrative to remain and steadily updating the posts with these bull crap updates and it is so disheartening and disrespectful. We have shown you we are demanding accountability and transparency. You treat us like we are illiterate and idiots. This boy comes from a well pedigree family. I am an attorney. This boy would discuss the Constitution with me. He would pick my brain about reasonable suspicion and probable cause. This boy cannot call me anymore. He cannot ask me about the law. You all try us like we are primates. From this point forward, we are demanding tangibles. We want accountability. We want truthful updates. We want you all to stop lying to us like we are stupid. Stop spreading the false narratives. Stop allowing this agency to shield this officer. It is ok to cut ties with him. He messed up. It is ok to say my bad. Own it. We will take that. We should not have to threaten you with voting you out of your seats. You know the oath you all took. The last thing that bothers me about this case is that officer, as a public servant, did not render aid. If I hit someone as a civilian and I do not stop and render aid then I am charged with a crime, criminal negligence at the least. You cannot tell me this officer is not responsible for something. At the least, you all have to stop lying to us. I hate calling my sister because I am so fearful of how she will be. I have my two children here and she has none. I avoid her because I have no words for her. I cannot even look at Stanley in the face. From this day forward, we are just demanding tangibles. Stop lying to us. Period. Kayla Franklin is Shannon's sister and SJ's aunt. You could think when we put my nephew in the grave, we would have some type of closure because he was not the reason for his own demise, somebody else was. You, who put him in place, are not holding him accountable and that makes me angry. As a teacher, if I do not do what I am supposed to do, my Principal will hold me accountable. Not one is holding this man accountable after three deaths. After Cyrus died you all should have held him accountable. Was there a slap on the wrist? Did he get desk duty? He is still driving around harassing people. It is not fair to us. It is not fair to the family. What also makes me angry is we are here pleading and begging with you all to see how we feel. You all would not have been elected if you did not know what is right and what is wrong. For his daddy and mom to come up here and keep telling you what perfect a child he was. We know you do not care because it is not your kids. As his uncle Pernell said if this was a white child and a black cop, it would not be doing this. We are a week shy of a month and we are still begging you all for the basics. Nothing above your title. We are asking for simple stuff. I need some more time. It also makes me angry seeing these kids, our future, yet they are scared to go outside, to play, to be where their parents pay bills and taxes at because of the people you all hired. That is a problem for me. I have been teaching for five years and never questioned if I wanted to teach any more. I am at the point where I do not. Another thing 16 Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, FL January 18, 2022 that pisses me off is I had to go back to work and it was the hardest thing I ever had to do. My nephew was cheated. I teach middle school and I am constantly reminded of all the things he will never get to do. No Tik Toks. No more playing. No more just being a child. He was cheated. You got Mark at home and he is still getting paid. That is a problem for me. They do not do bereavement for instructional teachers so if I do not go to work, I do not get paid. But he is not at work. Why is he still being paid? We will see you move when the money is coming out of your pocket because you all do not care until it affects you all. Us coming here every 1St and 3rd Tuesday and pleading our case with you all. That is a problem for me. How many more Tuesdays do we need to sit in here until you all give us the stuff you all should be giving us? How many more? What is it going to take for you to let one officer go to make change? We do not want to be out her rioting. There is so much other stuff we can be out here doing as a family. You already took one of the best parts of us. I do not have kids. So, what else do we have to do? What do we need to do to get answers? We are begging for justice. That is not right. I do not care about the media narratives. He touched everybody. You know he was not breaking no laws. Your officer messed up. He took a life he did not have to take. He took three lives he did not have to take. Cyrus' daughter here ten years later begging for answers. What is it going to take? Lakesha Vargas is the parent of one of the young men who spoke earlier. My son is scared of a cop because his best friend had to lose his life over a cop. What hurts me the most is when Stanley Jr. got up to speak and said the kids coming to him are scared. My son is one of them. He used to love to go there every weekend. Shannon, his mom, called me every single moment when it was time to get him. Now my son is scared to go to his house. I have to have talks with him to go to check in on Stanley. He cried. My son is a great child too. All I am praying for is justice and for this police officer to be held accountable. My son looked up to Stanley. My son's father is here but Stanley was more like a father to my child. Do you know how bad it hurts me to see my child hurt? These kids are hurt. Do you see that? They come in here and speak on him. My son and Stanley III have been friends over eight years. My son looks at his phone daily. His screen saver is pictures of them together. It is sad that we have to come here every day and plead for justice for him. He was a great child. Last year he went out of town with us and he was so respectful. He never gave me a problem. My son's birthday is next month, and my son only wants SJ there. He loved him dearly. He has sleepless nights. It is sad, as parents, we have to go through it too. It hurts. Now my son is scared. He should not have to be afraid. They are here to protect us. The kids do not think that anymore now that you took SJ's life. I am going to stand behind his parents, every step of the way. Even time they protest, we are here. Shamarie Davis, SJ's cousin, shared again how she feels. I remember when we were little, SJ was around 3 and I was around 6-7 and that is when SJ got his first dirt bike. I was not trying to get on the dirt bike. My Uncle Jr. got us all a dirt bike because he cared about us all, not just SJ. Me and SJ went everywhere together because I was an only child. We did everything together. That was like my brother. Every family event. SJ knew everybody. SJ always paid for stuff. He was always giving and those are the type of good 17 Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, FL January 18, 2022 things I want to remember about him. Now I am going to go back to December 25, 2021. 1 was with my mom most of the time. SJ was mainly riding but I am going to go see him on Christmas. I got there to my grandma's house and it was me, my Uncle Jr., my stepmom Lola, my Uncle, and some others. I just got the new iPhone13 and he was more excited than I was. Me and SJ always had sleepovers. He wanted to have a sleepover but also ride his bike. That night we were texting and he wanted my new number to make sure he had it in his phone. Then, December 26 in the morning. I got up and we went to this new bagel place because we wanted to try something new. SJ said he would tell us what kind of bagel he liked so we could bring it to Boynton. We ordered food. We were sitting down and eating. My dad got a phone call from my Uncle. I really could not hear anything, but I just heard my dad yelled "SJ's dead!" It did not register. I just looked at the chair. My dad started crying. 1 never saw my dad cry. After that, we got in the car, and I put the window down because I did not feel like there was any air in there. I have never broken a bone in my body, but I felt like I could not move. I could not even cry out. I felt like I could not breathe, and nothing happened to me. We got to the scene. They went to see SJ. I could not get out of the car for 10 minutes. I just laid out on the backseat and closed my eyes and I talked to him. It was not because I was trying to get myself together. There is no way to prepare yourself for that. I wanted to calm myself down so when I went out there, I remembered every single detail for later. I walked out there calmly. I held his hand. I did not feel SJ anymore. I just saw a body there. He could not talk to me. Then, I go to school, everybody is regular and normal. You cannot even pay attention because a major event happened in your life and you go back to a place and it seems like nothing changed but you. You are not the same person you were before. I have moments. Any little thing it makes me angry and cry. My first day back my Jr. ROTC Sergeant asked the class "Where do you see yourself in five years?" and that made me cry because I felt guilty for even thinking ahead five years of my life. I did not wat to think of any moment without him. I did not even want the clock to strike on New Year's. I wanted to stay in 2021 where he was. The whole time leading up to his funeral and viewing a part of me had something to look forward to because I could see him again. But when he went in the ground, what is there to look forward to? SJ, my cousin, was one of the ugliest sleepers but in the casket, he looked so beautiful and so handsome. He was not sleeping any more. He was done. SJ looked like me. It was always the four of us, now it is three. He always talked to me about getting to college because he wanted to live by himself and do his own thing. He did not make it to the 8t" grade dance. He did not make it to high school football. He did not make it to prom. He did not make it to getting married one day. So that is a part of how I feel. That is just a piece and nothing compared to how I really feel. It hurts. Imagine how I feel every day. Thank you. Tiffany Fredrick, Boynton Beach resident, said SJ was at her house the last few hours of his life. I have a 9 -year-old son here and he keeps saying what if the police kill me? I told him to stop saying that. He is 9 and that is how he is feeling. I am not upset with all the Boynton police officers because there are a few I know and care for. One is in the building right now. But that one, all we hear is bad stuff about Dogman. Something has to be done or we are gonna vote you out baby. At the end of the day, you are worried about who is riding dirt bikes because the kids are black. If a lot of white kids were riding In Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, FL January 18, 2022 dirt bikes, it would not be a problem. What you need to be focused on is the heroin overdoses and arrest the people who are doing heroin, not the people selling it. I promise you more people are dying from heroin overdoses than dirt bikes. My son is 9 years old and is questioning me what if I die? My baby is broken over this thing with SJ. He was playing with SJ in my backyard before he died. Something has to be done. Someone has to be held accountable for this baby's death. I will be here every Tuesday. I work in the hospital. I do my service. I pay my taxes. My children are good. I do not get housing. I do not get food stamps. If my taxes are going to him, he does not need to be relaxing, he needs to be in jail. This is not the first encounter I have heard with this Dogman. We are tired of it. Third strike and you are out. We want justice for SJ. Unidentified speaker said he stands with the family. I demand justice. There is no need for the family to show up here week after week demanding justice when just should have been served. Had it been the other way around things would have been different. Then you all sitting up there, looking nonchalant, unbothered, half of you probably ready to go home with your family. This family is hurting. Anyone with a heart should have sympathy for this family and be trying to figure out the situation. There is no need for them to have to sit for three weeks wondering what is going on with this case. That is why a lot of us do not show up to the communities meeting. We feel that we have no voice, that our opinion will not matter. We should not feel like that. The Boynton Police Department has been bad, one of the worst in Palm Beach County. They come on this side of 1-95 feeling like we are a threat to them, when they are a threat to us. Just the other week, police are jumping out of the car with their guns for a regular traffic stop, snatching a young man out of the car and handcuffing him. They all ain't bad. There is a couple of good ones. We have some good ones that will stop and do the proper thing serving the community. On the other hand, we get all those rookies, racists cops that come over in our neighborhood that terrorize, trigger happy, ready to dog us out because they have been dogged out in school or something. We going to continue to show up here week after week and demand justice and accountability. That officer should be held accountable because he had no right to pursue SJ. He had many times to back down, but he chose not to. He could have talked to him and had him call his father. But instead, he had an agenda he stood by, which was to take another black person off the streets. He continued to pursue SJ up Federal Highway. He caused that kid to go to his death. A good kid that I knew personally. Well-mannered and always come up to you and greet you. I am a bike rider too. We cannot even enjoy it like that. The white communities ride freely. They do not harass them. Over here, they treat us like dogs. We gonna demand justice until it is served. Ernest Mignoli, 710 NE 7t" Street, said he lives a block from where the incident happened. I was working on other incidences like this that same time that morning. When this happened, I was nearby. When I was at that scene and when I was at the church and when I was at the funeral, it feels like your own kid. When I see people up here thinking that this group is somehow going to change or make amends, like Camden, NJ, everyone had to go. Mayor, Council, City Manager, City Attorney, Police, Fire, City Employees and now the city has come back. You rehire everybody and everyone who works there has to reapply and that is how what this City needs. If you knew what this City Manager and this 19 Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, FL January 18, 2022 City Attorney have been involved in over the last 20 years, with lawsuits, covering up for corrupt Police and Fire, drugs, domestic violence, and excessive force, and settling racists, biased lawsuits. All the rest of you up here who are not leaving just want to get into office. You want to try to be the Mayor. You want to stay at the City lawyer. You want to stay in your quarter million job as the City Manager. Mr. Hay, you are the least person I see who cares about this family or this kid. I do not care if you like it or not. I am working on this case. I do not sleep from 1:00-5:00 a.m. because I work on this case from the minute it happened. There is one person for this case and you know he is on it now. God said who is on this case. You do not have to keep asking these people. They are not going to say anything to you. Let Benjamin Crump handle it. I already met with the Florida Highway Patrol. I already met with the Boynton Beach Police. I meet with everybody. I just have a skill that way. They are all conflicted. This case has to go Federal. I was there to prove how close they are with this Boynton Beach Police Department and how corrupt this investigation is. And it was recorded. I am going to get recordings from these Police, to show you nobody up here should be here anymore. You need a new City Manager. You need a new Mayor. We need. God bless everybody. Mayor Grant opened up the floor for comments from the virtual audience. Lolonda Byrd -Davis, 832 NW 8t" Avenue, wants to let the family know she is there for them in spirit. I love you all. I will need some extra time because I received an email from a young Boynton Beach resident, and she would like me to read her email on and her condolences to the family. Mine is really short and I only have a few questions for you guys. Since this incident happened, I wanted to know from you Mayor have you sat with Counsel in regards to the incident. Mayor Grant replied no there has not been a closed - door session. Have you guys looked into Mark Sohn's file to see how he is been policing the community for over these years. His IA file is public record so we can request that. Have you had a meeting in regard to what type of police officer we are dealing with right now? City Manager said yes but you have to wait until the investigation is done. She said she can take no action until that time. So, you cannot do anything until the investigation is closed, correct? Mayor Grant said correct. I want to go ahead and read the email from Wisneen Wilson. She read: "While 1 cannot be present with you all today, it would be remiss of me to not send my statement of some sort. First and foremost, my sincerest condolences to the Davis Family during this mourning period. May God bless you and keep you. A mistake made more than once is a choice. The Officer responsible for the 13 -year-old life of Stanley Davis 111 is responsible for two other lives in the City of Boynton Beach. On several occasions, he has exhibited behavior and shown patterns to be reckless, careless, and thoughtless. With these traits, it would be most appropriate for the Officer to be terminated immediately. For far too long, his disgusting behavior has been overlooked and, in extent, enabled. The Citizens of Boynton Beach are not negotiating for change or wishing to barter for justice. We are demanding it. It is long overdue and has caused many to be unsettled, enraged, and discouraged. 1 am assuming that 1 have two minutes so, to close, I leave everyone with this: To survive is to stay alive in the face of opposition. Go out and 20 Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, FL January 18, 2022 vote and be sure to not let up. All gas. No brakes. The marathon continues. Justice for SJ and thank you." Moquesta Raul said there is power in numbers. But to Stanley, Shannon, and family, there is definitely power in the name of Jesus. It might get rough, and I have been there before. I have lost a child. But it is no comparison to what you are going through. Stanley, you hold your head high and be proud of what you and Shannon produced and what you have made that young boy to be out of. Do not feel any type of way about what you have done as parents. Continue to pray and trust in God and God will see fit that everything that is not uphill will be taken care of. To the City of Boynton, I have heard from the beginning of the meeting you have certain things on your docket and agenda every day. What about an agenda to what happened to SJ? What about an agenda letting us know if the dash cams have been put into those vehicles? We are talking about trees being planted. We are talking about everything else except for this young man's life that has been taken. If I was up on that podium where you all are setting, I would feel so bad to sit up there and listen to these stories, listen to all these people cry out for help, and not one of you on the panel show any type of remorse. I know you all are human. I know you have a job title. I am not mad with anyone. I am not against the Police but I am against what is wrong. It is either you are right or you are wrong. You can be President but if you are wrong, you are wrong. You guys do not feel sorry or remorseful for any of this of this child being rushed to his death, be killed, or anything? If I was part of that, I would resign from my job. I could not be a part of something like this. It shows no type of remorse. You have us, the City, upset on what happened with this child. It is so sad. That mother that has to say she do not have her one and only child. I could not imagine that. I pray for strength. I pray for transparency. I pray for accountability. You all do not let your guards down and do not give us. Trouble do not last always, and God sit high and look low. God gonna take care of the situation. You all have a nice night. Otisha Thomas said I stand behind Shannon and Stanley since December 26, and I am praying for them. We will get justice. Mark Waters, 114 SE 14th Avenue, said the Officer is a nasty Officer. I have had many encounters with that Officer in the past. Knowing his track record and what he did with Cyrus and what he did with the little child, that guy was no good guy. Dogman was a no- good guy. I am quite sure if something happened to your child, you would want some time of resolution. You would want that clarity. That is what they are asking for. I do not know why it is taking so long. The City has so much money to rebuild. You do all this extra stuff but you are not making sure there are working dash cams in the cars. We know how Boynton is. I know the Boynton Beach Police Department has been corrupt for a long time. You tell us there was no dash cam video. How do you expect us to believe that? It is so messed up the family and community have to come and beg you for transparency. You have kids. Give us what we need. Otisha told the Mayor to bring a Red Bull to the next meeting because he looks very sleepy. We will bring 1,000 to speak on the mic because we will get justice. Thank you. 21 Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, FL January 18, 2022 Willie Johnson is not a resident of Boynton Beach, but his son played with SJ. It hurts so bad to see my son. They are getting ready to start spring football. Usually, my son would get out of the car and go talk to everybody. He comes to the field, and he would not get out of that car at all. He has so many memories with SJ. So many memories. When you saw SJ, you saw Jamir. They were next to each other all the time side by side. It hurts me so much to see Stanley and Shannon the way they are right now. Are you familiar with Dana Safety Supply? They do all the police cars. I used to work for them about two years ago. They do all Boynton Beach Police Cars. All those cars have dash cams and are fairly new. You cannot tell me there are no cash cams in that car. I know that there was a dash cam in there. Look up Dana Safety. I know you guys are familiar with them. They do everything. Anything you guys ask for they put it on your car. We just need justice for the little man. A lot of these kids we coach are hurting right now. The community is hurting. We need justice. You guys gotta do something about this. Jalicia Terry, 1010 9t" Street, West Palm Beach, will be there for the next meeting. Why is there extra coverage when you have a badge? If that was a City resident, we are arrested. Regardless of the circumstances, the Officer should have been arrested that day. He broke more than one rule. He should be detained and innocent until proven guilty, correct? The fact that you guys are covering this up does not sit well with me. When that Officer chased SJ, that was his suspect and he said he pursued a chase. If there is no dash cam or extra surveillance, why has not he released a statement yet on what he saw? How the bike went down and every detail. Does not anyone on the podium want to do the right thing? Every day God will watch over your spirit until you do so. I pray for each of your spirits. This is a tragedy that his parents alone we do not have to speak about. We do not know what they are going through. It has destroyed them. It appalls me to see him that way. That man is dominant. That man is strong. For him to be raising someone who was going to be ten times better than he was, you all really do not know what you did. We are not going to give up. We are not going to stop fighting. There is going to be more people that come. It is never going to end. Justice will be served. God will trouble your spirit until you guys do what is right. Marisella Readon, 631 Evergreen Drive, Lake Park, is Corye's wife, who has had the pleasure of meeting SJ's dad and mother. My son is Jayden Readon who was killed by Officer Sohn in 2016. My condolences to you guys. I can barely manage the strength to attend our current ongoing investigation. To be there would be, emotionally, too much for me. Mayor, I am very disappointed at your pathetic Chief of Police who never shows up to these meetings is a disgrace. The least he could do is be in attendance. This family lost a child. You all on that panel are worthless. You have no emotion. You have no care. It is so sad. Boynton has been known to be corrupt forever. I worked at Boca PD and your reputation supersedes you guys. The way your organization treats its citizens is ridiculous. People are in an uproar. I do not know how you can sit behind someone like Officer Sohn. In his last deposition with him, he stated he was on desk duty. How does an officer who has constantly caused the death of loved ones get back on the road? Were you even aware he was even on desk duty? He was at one point a Field Training Officer. 22 Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, FL January 18, 2022 How can someone like that psychotic training anyone to do anything? How is he back on the road? Killing innocent people. What does it take? Does it take for him to kill one of your kids? Does it take for someone to hurt someone over there in your nice little office, so you do not get the privilege of singing your baby to sleep. You are telling me three times there is no dash cam? If you put him back out on the road, put a g*****n body cam on him for goodness sake. But yet you guys just beautifully sit there. You get your g*****n wonderful families that you get to go home to. You do not have to live the rest of your lives missing your child. Can you bear to fathom what we feel and go through? The bad part is life is so precious. God is the only one with power to give life but then you have morons out here in this world, people you protect, that take those lives. I am coming up on six years already in February. But this officer gets to go home. He has a nice paid vacation. He is back on the road. What has this cost him? Can you please tell me that? He has the audacity to try to come and shake my hand like that would fly. See, the problem with you guys in this office is you sit and lie for people like this. You cover for cowards like this monster is. That makes you just as guilty as he is. Just as guilty, if not more. How the h**I cannot you get documents when I have his file as well. There is a file back in 2005 of a vehicle pursuit, prior to any deaths, where he broke 12 policies. All you guys gave him was 57.5 hours of unsuspended pay. But now he is on paid vacation for killing another black child. How can you fathom for me to understand that? You can look beyond race. The problem is he has no concern for life. That is scary. That means if you are east of on 1-95, despite if you are black or Spanish, or whatever you are, because you live in that socioeconomic class, it puts a green light on you. The sad thing is you have fellow officers that instead of trying to make it right, they sit there and side with pieces of crap like that. You have officers who refuse to do their job because they know Mr. Mark Sohn. They know him very well. So, you do not want to deny him pay? That is fine. You do not want to reprimand him? That is fine. I just have one question. How many lives? It is three now. How many more do you need? How many more do you need before you have the balls to act? There is no answer. Mr. Mayor, c'mon. How many more babies do we need to lose? Mayor Grant said I am sorry we cannot answer that, but we should not have any loss of life in Boynton Beach and my condolences. Ms. Readon said not everyone who offers condolences means them. You have authority, even if it costs you your job. You have choice and free will. You have the choice to do what is right. It may cost you your job. We will see then if you mean what you say. You stand for the people and not this pathetic Officer. All of you up there have a beautiful choice. Now, the question is, will you make the right choice? I would love to hear tonight for one of you to speak out and say you stand against Mark Sohn. I would love for you to say it was him. To say his name. Say his name. Mayor Grant asked is that all the comments you have tonight? Ms. Readon responded, oh, so I am limited because I am speaking against Mark Sohn? Actually, Mr. Mayor, I have nothing to say to you because you are not worth my time. To SJ's family, to his mother, to his father, my heart goes out to you guys. Unfortunately, we are living it. It does not get any easier with time. With prayer and with faith, God will give you the strength to go through one day at a time. Do not stop. Do not stop. Do not stop. 23 Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, FL January 18, 2022 You need a whole new Council. Everyone there tonight is a pathetic excuse. Quinten Davis came to say three things. First, I ask that God wrap his hands around the family and the parents dealing with this right now. Second of all, you disrespectful as h**I. As people sat here and said their stories, you acted like you did not give a flying f***k. Third, how long are you going to tell them we do not have dash cam lies? You killed my 14 -year-old brother over 15 years ago and you all told my mama the same thing. You all are full of s**t and if you keep it up, you are just going to rot in h**I. That is all I came to say. April Glover wants to give her condolences to the family, the parents, Shannon, and Stanley. I do not know the family personally or SJ, but the situation is very sad. You have to be inhumane to not feel an ounce of anything. Every family member who speaks has brought me to tears and I do not know any of them, personally. The posts I saw this morning, like from Stanley, is very sad. Mr. Grant, you are sitting here with everyone that speaks, you are rolling your eyes left and right. It is very disrespectful and the situation is very sad. I really do hope they get justice. You guys need to take yourself out of your position and into being human. What if it was your child? You are not going to understand what they are going through until you are in this position, or the community starts to retaliate. You guys say you have no dash cam. You really have to step out of your position and title and do what is right for Stanley. Again, my heart goes out to you guys. Naya Portgill Ok I want to say September 2017. Do you know what I am getting at? Hello? You do not know what I am getting at when he pulled his own Major over? And he had a dash cam. So, he does not have that car no more? Mayor Grant replied, I do not have that answer. Ms. Portgill replied, you do not have that answer? Why not? Mayor Grant said I would have to ask the City Manager or the Police Chief. She replied, ok, would the Police Chief be available if someone felt like their life was in in danger? Mayor Grant said I do not have that answer. Ms. Portgill asked, so, why has he not been reprimanded yet. You do not have that answer right? Mayor Grant replied that would be a question for the City Manager. Ms. Portgill asked, ok, so then what is your title? He answered, the Mayor. She asked, What do you do? What can you do? Mayor Grant said I am currently running the meeting and making sure everyone has an opportunity to speak. She asked, does he have the same car of a different car from 2017 because he clearly had a dash cam then when he was playing pullover games. Are you done talking to me? Mayor Grant said I do not have an answer. She replied, why do not you have an answer for me? You do not have an answer for nobody. This family is sitting over there grieving. Have you lost a child? Mayor Grant said I have not. She said, ok, so you will not understand how this family feels, right? Mayor Grant said it is not a question for me. Ms. Portgill replied, then, I am questioning anyone on that panel. Hello. If you are done talking to me, you can hang up. You do not want to talk. Bye bye. Wesley Shulers, 606 W. Atlantic, said we keep saying we do not have answers to what the family is asking. The family is specifically asking if you put yourself in these shoes then want to know about the cameras, the footage. Why are we kicking the can down the 24 Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, FL January 18, 2022 road again? Time after time, this Officer, and the other officers, did what they wanted to do. Now it is time for the City and the Commissioners to hold the Police accountable. You all need to, tonight, put the City Manager on notice. You need to put her on fire. It is time for her to step down. It came too far in this situation. This Officer done it three times. I know District 2, as a Pastor, you need to ask yourself how many times this Officer and other officers doing what they want to do when they want to do. The City Manager keeps covering this stuff up. The City Commissioners need to hold the Police and her accountable because now it came to a point of lawsuits after lawsuits, and nothing is getting done. Steve, if you are not going to do anything tonight, you at least need to have the Chief there, because there are answers that need answered. Answers that happened in 2010. It is getting old. Why are we keep looking at the same situation? These people are not going away. No one is going away. At the end of the day, people do pray and prayer changes things. Cemeteries are full of people and how they got there is the wrong way. You need to hold the City Manager tonight, and tell her she needs to do something, or you need to fire her tonight because she' making too much money, too many lawsuits going on, and too many situations going. That is all I have to say. Mayor Grant stated he is going to have five more minutes and then take a little break. Dr. Stephanie Hayden-Adeyemo, 2181 SW 15th Avenue, N102, speaking as a former candidate for Mayor of Boynton Beach in 2019 and as resident since 1994. 1 am also speaking as a family member of loss, standing with and supporting the Davis and Morris family. I would also like to acknowledge the heaviness inside the room, whether virtually or in person. I have sat in countless meetings and have been told to be quiet because I express the outrage, we are seeing today regarding the chasing in a cavalier fashion of unarmed young people in the ages of 8-53. A potential citation has led to the death of someone. Not someone but a young king and a young prince in his community. In 2016, 1 sat down at a meeting in the Sims Center, when we were going over the proposal for what the new park would look like, the same City Manager that sits on the dais, looked dead in my face, and stated that the request we had for an off -terrain park we asked for inside the park was a no go. I spent time looking up ordinances for our City to see if this would be possible and feasible and was there in the meeting with the Agricultural and Landscaping people. That is how specific that night we were discussing. Down to the shrubbery. So, when you have a Commission seat, there are some that are currently not there, but there are some sitting there currently that were there. The only person who has consistently been there is Ms. Lori. I cannot even speak to you Mr. Grant, you Mr. Katz, you Mr. Hay, because I believe you were the Chaplain at that time at the Police Department. Ms. Romelus, I cannot speak to you either. But the one person who has consistently been on that dais for over 10+ years is your City Manager. The City Manager is responsible for the hiring and firing of employees within our City. There is recommendations made by the HR Department. Currently, you have a new Police Chief. I heard the recommendation of Ms. LaVerriere being terminated tonight. I am going to express again what I did at a meeting in 2016, where I asked on record for the Police Chief to be fired. I asked for him to be fired within four or so months, he was fired. People that do pray, and there exists a God, who is the only one who can level true justice. That 25 Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, FL January 18, 2022 is what we are going to ask today. We are going to ask for those individuals who need to step down to put in your resignation letter because your job is to protect the citizens who pay every day in all four Districts. I am asking for Lori LaVerriere to step down. I am also asking the Police Chief to step down in the City. We are not asking for the next nine minutes. We would like for the next 24 days to bombard every meeting to make sure that is done. If we say it, it will happen because we are the citizens in the four districts. Thank you. I recuse my time to the next speaker. Rae Whitely, 239 NE 12th Avenue, thanked the Commission for allowing the speakers to speak tonight and their voices to be heard. I am speaking in the capacity tonight as the father of three black sons and the grandfather of six black boys. I am afraid for them. I stand with the Davis Family. When I saw Stanley Davis Jr.'s Facebook message I tried to call him. He did not answer. I texted him. I did not get a response. I drove to his house because I am afraid for him. I did not get a response, but I wanted to family to know I am standing with them. I was driving home a couple of nights ago, and I am sure every black man will echo the same sentiments, and I looked in my rear-view mirror and I saw a police officer behind me. He was going home but I was afraid. I was afraid. I got that cold feeling, I was nervous, and I did not do anything wrong. What I cannot get out of my mind when Stanley Davis Jr. said the Coroner, or the ME's office, said that when they got his son, he had tears in his eyes because that little black boy was afraid. People question why did he run. He was afraid. My grandsons are riders and I am afraid for them leaving the house, much less being riders now. I am not speaking in the capacity of a Pastor or an organizer or Director. I am just sharing from a hurting black father. So, we say we do not want these kids to ride and those types of things but where can they safely go to ride their motorcycles in Boynton Beach? As community leaders, are we looking at a safe place they can go and ride their motorcycles free of fear in a space they are comfortable in. I want to raise that question. I am waiting for the results of the investigations and the other organizers and groups we are working with to bring an accountability for the community. In the meantime, I am going to stand with these families. There was something yesterday. I was there. There was something before that. I was there. In no time at all, was there any sense of destruction. I do feel their pain. I do feel their frustration and the need for justice. Thank you, Boynton Beach, for showing up tonight and sharing your thoughts in a place where it matters. Trust me. All this that is happening now is recorded in the history of Boynton Beach. Keep coming to this place and sharing your concerns. God Bless you all. I am praying for everyone on the dais. I am praying that God gives you the courage of David and the wisdom of Solomon to know how to deal with what is happening now because these young people are looking and watching and praying in this moment for justice. Finally, I would like everybody who was listening to this, tomorrow at 12:36 p.m., I am asking everybody who knows the power of prayer to pray for the family of Stanley Davis III. Please stop whatever it is you are doing and lift this family up in prayer. Thank you. Marquesha Virgil is here to ask a couple of questions. Are you guys familiar with the pursuit policy of the Boynton Beach Police Department? Ok, I will read it to you. According to the pursuit policy vehicle or pursuits will be initiated only if the officer reasonably believes the person fleeing has committed a forcible felony, defined as murder, 26 Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, FL January 18, 2022 manslaughter, sexual battery, carjacking, home invasion/robbery, robbery/arson, kidnapping, or serious aggravated assault, and battery. Everyone in here knows that SJ did not that, right? Ok, that is all I had to say. Commissioner Romelus asked to speak. I would like to speak directly to Ms. Thompson and Mr. Davis. I am sorry because I am emotional right now. Mr. Davis, two weeks ago you came here, and you expressed your feelings about the situation, and I went to you and I embraced you and I whispered in your ear you have my support. I did not want to just say that to your ears, I wanted to say that out loud. Ms. Thompson, I said the same thing to you. I told you how strong of a woman you are and the fact that you gave birth to your son and the fact that you are standing here and seeking justice for him. Those words were not just words. I meant those words with every fiber of my being, and I still mean them now. I am so sorry that this has happened to your family. Please do not take me just sitting here, with an inability to respond, or answer our questions, or provide the information you are seeking, or give you solace, or to give you the absolution you need to make you feel whole at this moment. I am sorry that I cannot give you those answers. I am truly deeply sorry. You have my support. As a mother of two black boys, a five-year- old and an eight-year-old, I feel your pain. I do not understand it because I have not lost a child, but I have lost my mother as a teenager, and I know how it feels to lose a family member. I know how it feels when that person will never come back and want to talk to them and not being able to. So, I apologize to you for your pain. I feel it. I hope my words to you are not empty and do not feel like I am trying to save face, because I am not. At this moment in time, I am not a politician, I am not a Commissioner, I am a mother hurting just as much as you are. I am a black woman who is pissed off that our black boys continue to feel that they cannot be safe around our Police officers. I send a message to our Police Chief that I asked him to share with our Police Department, so they know how I feel and they know how I stand. I said please do not think that the words and expressions being stated about Police officers is expression of every single officer. It is not. But to those who put on the badge every single day to protect and serve for the right reasons I thank them. I do thank them because they do their jobs and they do it well. But for those who do not, they do not deserve to wear the badge. They make our Department, our City, our community look bad. I apologize to your family, apologize to this community for the atrocities you have had to face at the hands of Police officers who do not wear the badge for the right reasons. I apologize for that. There is nothing I can do to bring back your son. There is nothing I can do to make you feel better. But I hope my words, my solidarity, and standing next to you as a black woman of two black boys, means something to you. I hope that tonight is a lesson for all of us to understand that we can be human with one another. This situation does not have to say it is Police vs. Us or Us vs. Police. It can just be about us as humans and we can feel and empathize with one another because you are hurting, and I feel your pain. I am sorry. I stand with you. I support you. I will be there every step of the way to let your family know that we will make this right. At least I speak for myself I will work with you to make this right. This should not have happened. You should not have had to bury your 13 -year-old son. He is a child. He is a boy. He deserves the privilege to still have that reputation. He deserves that. You deserve that. Thank you, Mr. Davis, for raising a young black man in this country, in this world. Thank you, Ms. 27 Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, FL January 18, 2022 Thompson, for being his mother. I get it. I get how hard it is to look at your son and be scared for him to go out into the world because you do not know what is going to happen. I appreciate you for the work you did for the 13 years he was able to grace this earth. I thank you for that. I know every single person who is out here and seeking justice for him is because they know how great he was, which is why they come out here and are speaking on his behalf. Again, our inability to act right now it is not a decision nor a message that we want. It is just that we have to let this ridiculous process play out. Again, I hope my words mean something to you tonight. If not, it is ok. If I am the enemy right now. It is ok. I ask you to please understand you have somebody who is on your side on this. I appreciate you coming here and every single person who is here. You have every right to be angry. You have every right to come here every single meeting and talk the words you are speaking because they are right. We need to do better. You have that commitment from me. Thank you very much. Mayor Grant recessed the meeting at 9:15 p.m. Mayor Grant reconvened the meeting at 9:34 p.m. Mayor Grant asked the Commission's permission to move up items 9C, 8A, and 10A before the Consent Agenda. Consensus was reached by the Commission to move items up. Motion Commissioner Romelus moved to approve the agenda as amended. Commissioner Katz seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 5. Administrative A. Appointment of the eligible members of the community to serve in vacant positions on City advisory boards. Mayor Grant noted there is one applicant for the Building Board of Adjustments and Appeals. Motion Vice Mayor Hay moved to appoint Jyoti Kaik to the Building Board of Adjustments and Appeals. Commissioner Katz seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Penserga asked if the applicant was present for a question. Mayor Grant responded the applicant is not on virtual. W Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, FL January 18, 2022 Commissioner Penserga wanted to ask a question about the applicant's CV and an area that appears to be outdated. He said it lists his present address in another City. B. Approve the request of Vice Mayor Woodrow Hay to distribute $1,000.00 of his Community Support Funds to the Boca Raton's Promise Organization to support the Boynton Beach Mental Health Committee. Vice Mayor Hay stated May is Mental Health Awareness Month and there are activities Boynton Beach Mental Health is putting on with Healthier Boynton and with the City. Commissioner Penserga noted he would also like to distribute $500.00 of his funds. Mayor Grant stated he would also like to distribute $500.00 of his funds. Commissioner Romelus requested that a member of the Boynton Beach Mental Health Committee speak at the next meeting to provide a better understanding of their initiative. Motion Vice Mayor Hay moved to approve distribution of $1,000.00 of his funds, $500.00 of Mayor Grant's funds, and $500.00 of Commissioner Penserga's Community Support Funds to the Boca Raton's Promise Organization to support the Boynton Beach Mental Health Committee. Commissioner Katz seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Item 5C was added to the agenda. C. Approve the request of Approve the request of Commissioner Romelus to attend the National Haitian American Elected Officials Network Leadership Retreat in Chandler, Arizona. Commissioner Romelus stated her itinerary opened up after a previous event in D.C. was cancelled and she would like to attend this event. This is an organization she has been involved in for the last six years and served as the Conference Chair in 2020. Motion Commissioner Penserga moved to approve. Commissioner Katz seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Mayor Grant requested a short presentation upon her return. Item 9C was heard out of order. 29 Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, FL January 18, 2022 C. Hear Presentation by Dr. Maria D. Ilcheva, Assistant Director of Planning and Operations, Florida International University, Jorge M. Perez Metropolitan Center. Accept the recommendations of the City of Boynton Beach Racial and Social Equity Comprehensive Needs Assessment and Policy Recommendations Report. Mayor Grant introduced Dr. Ilcheva. She provided the background of the Community Needs Assessment. She noted her colleagues presented to the Commission a few months ago the information from the internal assessment. She said the presentation includes some select data points but focuses on the recommendations. She encourages all Boynton Beach community members to read the report. Dr. Ilcheva noted under the Economic Opportunity Pillar, there are significant disparities across race and ethnicity. Commissioner Penserga asked what the median number of earners there are in each household. Dr. Ilcheva replied that it varies by group, but it is, generally, under three people. She explained that Hispanic households have a higher number of adult earners so that may explain the higher median household income data. She explained that the full report shows the per capita data. She reviewed the data from Persons Living In Poverty. She noted that most of the data is from 2019 so COVID had not impact, other than the collection of 2020 data. Commissioner Penserga asked if the poverty data is standardized. Dr. Ilcheva responded that the poverty rate is a calculation from the U.S. Census Bureau. Commissioner Hay asked if there is any data from 2020. Dr. Ilcheva responded that there is very limited economic data because of COVID. She said there is some updated data on crime and health because it comes from different sources. Mayor Grant asked, moving forward, if the City is going to partner with FIU to gather its own sets of data points. Dr. Ilcheva responded yes, they can discuss opportunities to ask community members for data without being too intrusive. Mayor Grant suggested focusing on the raw numbers vs. the percentages. Dr. Ilcheva reviewed the Economic Opportunity recommendations. 30 Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, FL January 18, 2022 Dr. Ilcheva reviewed the breakdown of educational attainment under the Education Pillar. She noted data that is missing from this area is the trades. That data is not easily available. She noted the population with the highest level of graduate or professional degrees are Hispanic or Latino with 17.3%. Dr. Ilcheva reviewed the Education recommendations. She then noted under the Housing Pillar, there are significant disparities in ownership and cost burdened households. Renters in the City are more likely to be spending untenable amounts of their income on housing. Hispanic and Black or African American residents are more likely than White, Non -Hispanics to be renters. Dr. Ilcheva reviewed the Housing recommendations. She then noted under the Crime and Safety Pillar, juvenile crime decreased but there is a high rate in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods. There is an increase in the youth who are issued a civil citation, but a higher proportion of minority youth offenders are arrested rather than issued an alternative civil citation. She noted the same disparities exist with adult arrests. Vice Mayor Hay noted the City needs to seriously address these issues. Commissioner Penserga asked Dr. Ilcheva whether she has data on communities that employ Community Policing vs. communities that do not and if there is difference in the data set. Dr. Ilcheva noted that Community Policing is one of the recommendations. She reviewed the Crime and Safety recommendations. Commissioner Katz asked if they could get the raw data for this Pillar. He is interested in knowing the number of intakes for each year. Dr. Ilcheva confirmed the raw data is available in the full report. Commissioner Katz and Vice Mayor Hay both noted they would like to see the raw data on Crime and Safety. Vice Mayor Hay asked Dr. Ilcheva to send the data to the City Manager and she will provide it to the Commission. Discussion ensued about the correlation between economic data and crime and safety. Vice Mayor Hay asked about a correlation between educational attainment and crime and safety. He said a trend he sees more white residents moving into District 2. He noted there could be an impact and FIU might take a closer look. Commissioner Romelus requested that an interpretation is sent with the raw data. Dr. Ilcheva said the raw data will support the narrative of the full report. She noted FIU is a partner for life. Dr. Ilcheva noted under the Health Pillar, there is a disproportionately 31 Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, FL January 18, 2022 higher death rate of black and Hispanic residents. Heart disease, cancer, and stroke are the leading causes of death in Palm Beach County. They can be treated through regular check-ups and lifestyle changes. She noted there is a significant need for mental health services. Commissioner Katz inquired who has answers to these problems with data to backup best practices. He asked Dr. Ilcheva if she has any examples of successes. Mayor Grant replied that what worked well in 2018 would not necessarily be what works well in 2022. He stated having raw data will allow the City to see if they are helping people. He noted one metric is third grade reading level and programs to support. Commissioner Romelus stated she would like to hear an answer to Commissioner Katz's question. She said they know these numbers and they are not new. She asked what communities they could model or duplicate. She asked Dr. Ilcheva to include successful initiatives in other cities in her next presentation. Dr. Ilcheva warned that when a City does not have proper leadership or structures, initiatives may fail. She said they can provide examples from other cities where things are working but cautioned that each city has different factors even with similar demographics and disparities. She noted there are so many factors that impact success and failure. She recommended utilizing local organizations and stakeholders. Item 8A was heard out of heard. A. Proposed Ordinance No. 22-001 - Second Reading - Approving 3518 Ruskin Avenue request for Annexation (ANEX 21-001) of a 0.8 -acre parcel located at 3518 Ruskin Avenue. Applicant: Steven W. Siebert, Steve Siebert Architecture, Inc. Proposed Ordinance No. 22-002 - Second Reading - Approving 3518 Ruskin Avenue request for Future Land Use Map Amendment from Palm Beach County's Medium Residential Classification with a maximum density of 5.0 dwelling units per acre (MR -5) to Office Commercial (OC). Applicant: Steven W. Siebert, Steve Siebert Architecture, Inc. Proposed Ordinance No. 22-003 - Second Reading - Approving 3518 Ruskin Avenue request for Rezoning from Palm Beach County's Single - Family Residential (RS) District to Office Professional (C-1). Applicant: Steven W. Siebert, Steve Siebert Architecture, Inc. Steven Siebert, Steve Siebert Architecture, Inc., 466 N. Federal Highway, gave a brief presentation on what he would like to do with the vacant lot located on Old Boynton Road. The firm is proposing putting in a one-story office on the lot, for 32 Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, FL January 18, 2022 themselves, and to have the property annexed into the City. Motion Commissioner Katz moved to approve Proposed Ordinance No. 22-001 - Second Reading. Commissioner Penserga seconded the motion. Vote City Clerk Gibson called the roll. The vote was 5-0. Motion Vice Mayor Hay moved to approve Proposed Ordinance No. 22-002 - Second Reading. Commissioner Katz seconded the motion. Vote City Clerk Gibson called the roll. The vote was 5-0. Motion Commissioner Katz moved to approve Proposed Ordinance No. 22-003 - Second Reading. Vice Mayor Hay seconded the motion. Vote City Clerk Gibson called the roll. The vote was 5-0 Item 10A was heard out of order. Hear report of recommendations from the Historic Resources Preservation Board Chair Barbara Ready regarding placement of a plaque and approving a Resolution for the Pride Intersection at E. Ocean Avenue and E. 1st Street. Barbara Ready, Chair of the Historic Resources Preservation Board, stated in December 2021, the Board discussed the HR request for a plaque at the Pride Intersection. She said the Board Consensus was it would not be advisable to set a precedent with the plaque request. A motion was made, and unanimously approved, to recommend that the City Commission could address the specialness and protection of the Pride Intersection with a formal resolution. Mayor Grant noted the request is a Progress Pride flag and not the Pride flag and asked if that made a difference. 33 Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, FL January 18, 2022 Alan Hendricks, 716 NW 1St Avenue, said there is a difference between the two flags. Since part of the dedication was to Mr. Hendricks, Mayor Grant asked him what he would like the intersection to be known as. He responded that he would like the Progress Pride Intersection. Mayor Grant asked Mr. Hendricks if he was willing to accept the resolution in lieu of a plaque. Mr. Hendricks responded no. He said he would rather leave the naming up to Palm Beach County Human Rights Council (HRC) and whoever makes the decisions at the City level. Mayor Grant responded that the Commission makes the decisions at the City level, which is why they are asking Mr. Hendricks these questions. Mr. Hendricks responded he would prefer Boynton Beach Progress Pride Intersection. Mayor Grant requested from the Commission a plaque with the requested name and the date of June 5, 2021. Commissioner Katz asked Ms. Ready is the objection based on a plaque that is similar in nature to the historical plaques. Ms. Ready responded yes that is part of it. She said the other part is that a plaque is not necessary. She noted the Commission has the power to raise the specialness and protection with a resolution. Commissioner Katz said he is trying to determine if there is a compromise for paying respects to different types of commemorations. Ms. Ready stated the Board members were concerned with where does it stop if you start putting up plaques all over town. Mayor Grant stated there are plenty of buildings with names on it. He believes this dedication is a historic aspect. Vice Mayor Hay asked what the purpose of the plaque is. Mayor Grant said the purpose is the recognition and the acknowledgment. Ms. Ready noted a Board member shared there might be other members of the City who might have made contributions and would also be deserving of recognition. David Katz agreed with the Mayor about the purpose of the intersection. Mr. Katz 34 Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, FL January 18, 2022 provided history of his involvement with the Palm Beach County Human Rights cause. He does not believe a plaque is necessary because the intersection is not historic or a memorial. He stated Alan Hendricks' name should not be on a plaque. He believes Norman Aaron should be honored. Gemma Torcivia spoke on this topic at the City Committee meeting in late December. She took the request to the Historic Resources Preservation Board. She stated the distinction is one of law and explained the necessity of the plaque in regard to Florida statute. Mayor Grant noted that power was suddenly lost on the dais, and they are trying to work out the volume level. Mayor Grant read the Florida statute referenced and discussed the importance of a plaque or perpetual maintenance to qualify. Discussion ensued about the Florida statue, prosecution of hate crimes, and legal protections. Vice Mayor Hay asked where the plaque would be located. Commissioner Romelus asked if the plaque could be dedicated to the Palm Beach County HRC instead of Mr. Hendricks. Commissioner Penserga said the law says an individual, entity, or historical event. Commissioner Romelus replied that the HRC is an entity. City Attorney Cherof stated the backup documents did not include the full language for the Florida Statutes and read the remaining language. He noted it considers organizations that are not individuals and read some examples. Mr. Hendricks said his understanding is that the conversations Rand Hoch has had with the State Attorney was very specific for how you can protect this intersection with specific language. Motion Commissioner Romelus moved to have the City Attorney work with the State Attorney on the specific language and location for the plaque. Commissioner Penserga seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. There was a consensus that the plaque would be installed on the ground and not erected. Thus, the plaque will not be in the way of any future development downtown. 35 Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, FL January 18, 2022 Ms. Torcivia thanked the Commission for their commitment to diversity and inclusion. Mr. Katz said he applauds Commissioner Romelus for meeting in the middle and believes her recommendation is the way to go. 6. Consent Agenda Matters in this section of the Agenda are proposed and recommended by the City Manager for "Consent Agenda" approval of the action indicated in each item, with all of the accompanying material to become a part of the Public Record and subject to staff comments. Item was taken out of order on agenda as approved. A. Proposed Resolution No. R22-010 - Amend the FY 2021-22 budget, which will adjust budgeted appropriations and revenue sources and provide spending authority for the General Fund (001), Capital Improvement Funds (302 & 303), the Utility Capital Improvement Funds (403 & 404), the Solid Waste Fund (431), and the Fleet Fund (501) for previous years Purchase Orders plus unspent project budgets. B. Accept the City of Boynton Beach FY2020/2021 Annual Grants Report. C. Proposed Resolution No. R22-011 - Approve Interlocal Agreement with Boynton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) for Partial Funding of the City's Economic Development Plan by Florida International University and authorize the Mayor to execute the agreement. D. Accept the written report to the Commission for purchases over $10,000 for the month of November 2021. E. Accept the written report to the Commission for purchases over $10,000 for the month of December 2021. F. Approve minutes from the January 4, 2022, City Commission meeting. 4T,1511=11 Commissioner Katz moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Vice Mayor Hay seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 7. Consent Bids And Purchases Over $100,000 A. Approve the one-year extension for RFPs/Bids and/ or piggybacks for the procurement of services and/or commodities over $100,000 as described in the written report for January 18, 2022 - "Request for Extensions and/or Piggybacks." B. Approve Task Order ASPS -93-031721 with Atlantic Southern Paving & 36 Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, FL January 18, 2022 Sealcoating, Inc., in the amount of $233,918.65 in accordance with Bid No. 010-2512-18/IT to rehabilitate High Ridge Rd. (from NW Commerce Park Drive north to Miner Road). Motion Commissioner Katz moved to approve the Consent Bids and Purchases Over $100,000. Vice Mayor Hay seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Romelus asked for staff to give an update at the next meeting on Item 6B. Mayor Grant confirmed that item will be at the beginning of the next meeting. Public Hearing 6 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the agenda permits. The City Commission will conduct these public hearings in its dual capacity as Local PlanningAgency and City Commission. A. Proposed Ordinance No. 22-001 - Second Reading - Approving 3518 Ruskin Avenue requestfor Annexation (ANEX 21-001) of a 0.8 -acre parcel located at 3518 Ruskin Avenue. Applicant: Steven W. Siebert, Steve Siebert Architecture, Inc. Proposed Ordinance No. 22-002 - Second Reading - Approving 3518 Ruskin Avenue request for Future Land Use Map Amendment from Palm Beach County's Medium Residential Classification with a maximum density of 5.0 dwelling units per acre (MR -5) to Office Commercial (OC). Applicant: Steven W. Siebert, Steve Siebert Architecture, Inc. Proposed Ordinance No. 22-003 - Second Reading - Approving 3518 Ruskin Avenue request for Rezoning from Palm Beach County's Single -Family Residential (RS) District to Office Professional (C-1). Applicant: Steven W. Siebert, Steve Siebert Architecture, Inc. 9. City Manager's Report A. Update on the American Rescue Plan Notice of Funding Pre -Proposal Application Workshop by David Scott, Director of Economic Development and Strategy. B. Update City Commission on the status of the Boynton Beach City Hall Cafe RFP by David Scott, Director of Economic Development and Strategy. David Scott, Director of Economic Development and Strategy, provided notice of the 37 Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, FL January 18, 2022 ARPA Funding Pre -Proposal Application Workshop held on January 13. He provided a brief overview of the workshop. He shared 38 participants attended both in-person and virtually and had their questions answered by himself, Carisse LeJeune, and John Durgan. Applications can be located on the City's ARPA webpage. Applications are due February 4, 2022, at 4:30 P.M. and the Commission will hear staff's recommendations for awards on March 1, 2022. Mr. Scott provided a background on the RFP. Staff are currently developing the RFP. He briefly reviewed the draft recommendations for the Operator, Operations, Objective, and the Proposed Schedule. The RFP would be launched on February 11. Proposals would be due on March 21. Evaluations would be completed by April 5 with the hope the Commission approves the RFP Recommended Awards on April 19. The Cafe open date to be determined by Operator. Commissioner Romelus asked if the vendor would need a liquor license. Mr. Scott responded that they would at least need a beer or wine license. Commissioner Romelus asked about the food containers. Mr. Scott replied that they would work with Rebecca on the containers and straws to meet the sustainability policy. Commissioner Romelus suggested connecting with TELUS. Mayor Grant discussed economies of scale with Rebecca for Go Green products. Mayor Grant recommended a kid's menu or meal to be included in the RFP since it will be next to the Youth Library. Mr. Scott said there is an opportunity to have coffee service in the Arts and Cultural Center. Consensus was reached to continue working on the RFP and for Mr. Scott to bring it back to the next meeting. C. Receive response from staff regarding density calculation for development and the ability to include abutting rights-of-way. Mayor Grant said the City does not define gross acreage, so they are looking to the County for the definition. City Attorney Cherof corrected Mayor Grant and said the County does not define that. It would take a Code amendment to change the definition. Mayor Grant disagreed and asked again if the City defines what gross acreage is. Amanda Radigan, Principal Planner, stated the City does not specifically define gross acreage but there is some standards and best practices that are followed. She said there M Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, FL January 18, 2022 is some language in the Comprehensive Plan about exceptions to gross acreage. This is an assumption that gross acreage does not include right-of-way. Ms. Radigan provided a brief presentation. Mayor Grant noted the Commission does not seem to want to continue the conversation but thanked staff for their work on the presentation. Commissioner Katz stated he is not in favor of pursuing this. Commissioner Romelus said absolutely not. 10. Unfinished Business A. Hear report of recommendations from the Historic Resources Preservation Board Chair Barbara Ready regarding placement of a plaque and approving a Resolution for the Pride Intersection at E. Ocean Avenue and E. 1st Street. Heard earlier in the meeting. 11. New Business A. Mayor Grant has requested a discussion regarding naming the urban orchard at Sara Sims Parkfor Latosha Clemons. B. Mayor Grant has requested a discussion regarding naming the urban orchard at Sara Sims Parkfor Latosha Clemons. Motion Vice Mayor Hay moved to table 11A until next meeting. Commissioner Katz seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. C. Mayor Grant requested a discussion regarding his travel to Taiwan. 12. Legal — None 13. Future Agenda Items A. School Board Member Erica Whitfield to present the 2021-2022 School Year State of Education Report to the City Commission. - February 1, 2022 B. Staff will provide an update to the Commission on the costs, processes and timeline of pursuing a bond referendum for park improvements - February 1, 39 Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, FL January 18, 2022 2022. C. Award Contract for Public Lands Tree Inventory, RFQ No. UTL22-006 - February 1, 2022 D. Building Department staff will present an update on the implementation of the new SagesGov software for permitting and inspections -TBD E. Discuss disposition of vacant 3.62 acre parcel adjacent to Leisurevillle and west of SW 8th Avenue -TBD F. Proposed Ordinance No. 21-025 First Reading. Approve Development Agreement Ordinance. (Tabled from the September 21, 2021 City Commission Meeting.) - TBD G. Mayor Grant has requested a discussion on JKM lawsuit - TBD H. Discuss Building Safety Inspection Program - (Pending outcome of 2022 legislative session) 14. Adjournment There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 11:53 p.m. CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH Mayor - Steven B. Grant Vice Mayor — Ty Penserga Commissioner —Justin Katz Commissioner —Woodrow L. Hay M Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, FL January 18, 2022 ATTEST: Crystal Gibson, MMC City Clerk Tammy L. Stanzione Deputy City Clerk 41 Commissioner — Christina Romelus