Emergency Special Council Meeting

Agenda (virtual)

VILLAGE OF PALMETTO BAY

Mayor Karyn Cunningham

Vice Mayor Mark Merwitzer

Council Member Patrick Fiore (Seat 1)

Council Member Steve Cody (Seat 2)

Council Member Marsha Matson (Seat 3)

Village Manager Nick Marano

Village Attorney John Quick

Village Clerk Missy Arocha

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, persons needing special accommodation, a sign language interpreter, or hearing impaired to participate in this proceeding should contact the Village Clerk at (305) 259-1234 for assistance no later than four days prior to the meeting.

AGENDA

HYBRID EMERGENCY SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING

THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2026 - 5:00 PM

VILLAGE HALL MUNICIPAL CENTER

9705 EAST HIBISCUS STREET, PALMETTO BAY, FL 33157

(305) 259-1234

1.

CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL, INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, AND DECORUM STATEMENT, IN THAT ORDER:

Any person making impertinent or slanderous remarks, or who becomes boisterous, while addressing the Council may be barred from further appearance before the Council by the Mayor, unless permission to continue or again address the Council is granted by a majority vote of the Council. Applauding speakers shall be discouraged. Heckling or verbal outbursts in support or opposition to a speaker, or his or her remarks, shall be prohibited. No signs or placards shall be allowed in the Council meeting. Persons exiting the Council meeting shall do so quietly. All cellular telephones and beepers are to be silenced during the meeting.

2.

REQUEST, PETITIONS, AND PUBLIC COMMENTS

Individuals wishing to speak on matters on the agenda and on items pertinent to the Village may do so by speaking during this section of the agenda. The Mayor will recognize those persons who wish to speak. Each speaker must sign-in prior to speaking on the designated public commentary sign-in sheet. Items for public hearing provided for within the agenda shall not be a topic of discussion during this section of the agenda. Please limit your comments to three (3) minutes or less. Public comments made by members of the public are important to the Village Council. Speakers will address the Village Council with respect.

3.

RESOLUTIONS WITH PUBLIC COMMENTS

A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF PALMETTO BAY, FLORIDA, URGING THE UNITED STATES SENATE TO PASS HOUSE RESOLUTION 1689 OR SIMILAR LEGISLATION THAT WOULD EXTEND TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS FOR HAITIANS LAWFULLY PRESENT IN THE UNITED STATES FOR THREE YEARS; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (Sponsored by Vice Mayor Mark Merwitzer)

4.

COUNCIL COMMENTS

5.

ADJOURNMENT

WE, THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF PALMETTO BAY, HEREBY COMMIT OURSELVES TO MAINTAINING CIVILITY IN OUR PUBLIC AND POLITICAL DISCOURSE AND PLEDGE TO THE FOLLOWING PRINCIPLES:

We will respect the right of all citizens in our community to hold different opinions;

We will avoid rhetoric intended to humiliate or question the wisdom of those whose opinions are different from ours;

We will strive to understand differing perspectives;

We will choose our words carefully;

We will speak truthfully without accusation and we will avoid distortion;

We will speak out against violence, prejudice, and incivility in all of their forms, whenever and wherever they occur.

NOTICE OF APPEAL RIGHTS

Pursuant to Florida Statutes 286.0105, the Village hereby advises the public that if a person decides to appeal any decision made by the Council with response to any matter considered at its meeting or hearing, he or she will need a record of the proceedings, and that for such purpose, the affected person may need to ensure that verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. This notice does not constitute consent by the Village for the introduction or admission of otherwise inadmissible or irrelevant evidence, nor does it authorize challenges or appeals not otherwise allowed.

AMERICAN DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990

Mayor Karyn Cunningham Vice Mayor Mark Merwitzer Council Member Patrick Fiore (Seat 1) Council Member Steve Cody (Seat 2) Council Member Marsha Matson (Seat 3) Village Manager Nick Marano Village Attorney John Quick Village Clerk Missy Arocha 1. CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL, INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, AND DECORUM STATEMENT, IN THAT ORDER: Any person making impertinent or slanderous remarks, or who becomes boisterous, while addressing the Council may be barred from further appearance before the Council by the Mayor, unless permission to continue or again address the Council is granted by a majority vote of the Council. Applauding speakers shall be discouraged. Heckling or verbal outbursts in support or opposition to a speaker, or his or her remarks, shall be prohibited. No signs or placards shall be allowed in the Council meeting. Persons exiting the Council meeting shall do so quietly. All cellular telephones and beepers are to be silenced during the meeting. 2. REQUEST, PETITIONS, AND PUBLIC COMMENTS Individuals wishing to speak on matters on the agenda and on items pertinent to the Village may do so by speaking during this section of the agenda. The Mayor will recognize those persons who wish to speak. Each speaker must sign-in prior to speaking on the designated public commentary sign-in sheet. Items for public hearing provided for within the agenda shall not be a topic of discussion during this section of the agenda. Please limit your comments to three (3) minutes or less. Public comments made by members of the public are important to the Village Council. Speakers will address the Village Council with respect. VILLAGE OF PALMETTO BAY In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, persons needing special accommodation, a sign language interpreter, or hearing impaired to participate in this proceeding should contact the Village Clerk at (305) 259-1234 for assistance no later than four days prior to the meeting. AGENDA HYBRID EMERGENCY SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2026 – 5:00 PM VILLAGE HALL MUNICIPAL CENTER 9705 EAST HIBISCUS STREET, PALMETTO BAY, FL 33157 (305) 259-1234 1

3. RESOLUTIONS WITH PUBLIC COMMENTS 4. COUNCIL COMMENTS 5. ADJOURNMENT A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF PALMETTO BAY, FLORIDA, URGING THE UNITED STATES SENATE TO PASS HOUSE RESOLUTION 1689 OR SIMILAR LEGISLATION THAT WOULD EXTEND TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS FOR HAITIANS LAWFULLY PRESENT IN THE UNITED STATES FOR THREE YEARS; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (Sponsored by Vice Mayor Mark Merwitzer) WE, THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF PALMETTO BAY, HEREBY COMMIT OURSELVES TO MAINTAINING CIVILITY IN OUR PUBLIC AND POLITICAL DISCOURSE AND PLEDGE TO THE FOLLOWING PRINCIPLES: We will respect the right of all citizens in our community to hold different opinions; We will avoid rhetoric intended to humiliate or question the wisdom of those whose opinions are different from ours; We will strive to understand differing perspectives; We will choose our words carefully; We will speak truthfully without accusation and we will avoid distortion; We will speak out against violence, prejudice, and incivility in all of their forms, whenever and wherever they occur. NOTICE OF APPEAL RIGHTS Pursuant to Florida Statutes 286.0105, the Village hereby advises the public that if a person decides to appeal any decision made by the Council with response to any matter considered at its meeting or hearing, he or she will need a record of the proceedings, and that for such purpose, the affected person may need to ensure that verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. This notice does not constitute consent by the Village for the introduction or admission of otherwise inadmissible or irrelevant evidence, nor does it authorize challenges or appeals not otherwise allowed. AMERICAN DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990 This meeting is open to the public. In accordance with the American Disabilities Act of 1990, persons needing special accommodation or a sign language interpreter to participate in this proceeding should contact the Village Clerk at (305) 259-1234 no later than four (4) days prior to the meeting. Hearing Assistance Devices are available with the Village Clerk. 2

3

Item Cover Page DATE: July 23, 2026 SUBMITTED BY: Missy Arocha, Village Council ITEM TYPE: Resolution AGENDA SECTION: RESOLUTIONS WITH PUBLIC COMMENTS SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF PALMETTO BAY, FLORIDA, URGING THE UNITED STATES SENATE TO PASS HOUSE RESOLUTION 1689 OR SIMILAR LEGISLATION THAT WOULD EXTEND TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS FOR HAITIANS LAWFULLY PRESENT IN THE UNITED STATES FOR THREE YEARS; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (Sponsored by Vice Mayor Mark Merwitzer) SUGGESTED ACTION: EMERGENCY SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA ITEM REPORT ATTACHMENTS: Reso-TPS for Haitians_VMMM 4

Page 1 of 3 RESOLUTION NO. 2026-____1 2 A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE3 VILLAGE OF PALMETTO BAY, FLORIDA, URGING THE UNITED4 STATES SENATE TO PASS HOUSE RESOLUTION 1689 OR SIMILAR5 LEGISLATION THAT WOULD EXTEND TEMPORARY PROTECTED6 STATUS FOR HAITIANS LAWFULLY PRESENT IN THE UNITED7 STATES FOR THREE YEARS; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE8 DATE. (Sponsored by Vice Mayor Mark Merwitzer)9 10 WHEREAS, the Village of Palmetto Bay is home to Haitian and11 Haitian-American families, students, and civic leaders whose12 contributions have helped shape the Village's culture, economic vitality,13 and community life; and14 15 WHEREAS, Haitian nationals residing in the Village, Miami-Dade16 County, and throughout the United States have been granted Temporary17 Protected Status ("TPS") due to the unsafe and volatile situation in Haiti,18 which continues to face political instability and widespread violence,19 making it unsafe for Haitian nationals to return; and20 21 WHEREAS, the loss or expiration of TPS protections would place22 thousands of Haitian individuals and families at risk of deportation; and23 24 WHEREAS, on April 16, 2026, the United States House of25 Representatives passed House Resolution 1689, introduced by26 Representative Laura Gillen, by a vote of 224 to 204, aimed at extending27 Temporary Protected Status for the roughly 350,000 Haitians lawfully28 present in the United States for an additional three years, and the bill is29 now pending before the United States Senate, where timely action is30 necessary to ensure that eligible Haitian nationals maintain lawful status31 and protection from removal; and32 33 WHEREAS, this Village Council remains committed to advocating34 for the well-being, safety, and dignity of all Village residents, including its35 Haitian and Haitian-American neighbors, many of whom have called36 Palmetto Bay home for years and are active participants in the life of this37 community.38 39 5

Page 2 of 3 NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND1 VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF PALMETTO BAY,2 FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS:3 4 Section 1. The above recitals are incorporated as if set forth in full.5 6 Section 2. That the Village Council urges the United States Senate7 to pass House Resolution 1689 or similar legislation that would extend8 Temporary Protected Status for Haitians lawfully present in the United9 States for three years, and directs the Village Clerk to transmit a certified10 copy of this Resolution to the President of the United States, the United11 States Secretary of State, the Speaker of the United States House of12 Representatives, the President Pro Tempore of the United States13 Senate, and the Chair and Members of the Florida Congressional14 Delegation.15 16 Section 3. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon17 passage.18 19 PASSED and ADOPTED this 23rd day of July, 2026.20 21 Attest:22 23 24 ____________________ __________________25 Missy Arocha Karyn Cunningham26 Village Clerk Mayor27 28 APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGAL SUFFICIENCY FOR THE29 SOLE USE AND BENEFIT OF THE VILLAGE:30 31 32 33 _________________________34 John J. Quick35 Village Attorney36 37 38 39 40 6

Page 3 of 3 FINAL VOTE AT ADOPTION:1 2 Council Member Patrick Fiore _______3 4 Council Member Steve Cody _______5 6 Council Member Marsha Matson _______7 8 Vice-Mayor Mark Merwitzer _______9 10 Mayor Karyn Cunningham _______11 7