04.24.2025 Regular Town Council Meeting

MINUTES

REGULAR TOWN COUNCIL MEETING THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2025 - 9:00 AM TOWN OF INDIAN RIVER SHORES 001 HIGHWAY A1A INDIAN RIVER SHORES, FL 32963

The regular meeting of the Indian River Town Council was held on Thursday, April 24, 2025, in Council Chambers, 6001 Highway A1A, Indian River Shores. Those present were Brian Foley, Mayor; Bob Auwaerter, Vice Mayor; Sam Carroll, Councilmember; James Altieri, Councilmember and William Dane, Councilmember. Also present were James Harpring, Town Manager; Heather Christmas, Deputy Town Manager/Town Treasurer; Peter Sweeney, Town Attorney and Janice C. Rutan, Town Clerk.

1. Call to Order

a. Invocation

b. Pledge of Allegiance

c. Roll Call

Councilmember Carroll offered the Invocation. Mayor Foley led the Pledge of Allegiance. The Town Clerk called the roll. All members were present.

2. Agenda Reordering, Deletions, or Emergency Additions

There being no additions, deletions or substitutions, a motion was made by Vice Mayor Auwaerter, seconded by Councilmember Carroll, and unanimously passed (5-0) to approve the agenda as presented.

3. Presentations/Proclamations

a. Proclamation: National Safe Boating Week:

Jim Vaughn, Flotilla Commander and Tom McCarty, Flotilla Vice Commander of the Coast Guard Auxiliary spoke about the duties and responsibilities of the Coast Guard Auxiliary including teaching boating safety, vessel inspections and setting up communications with all local jurisdictions. He then gave the history of Boating Safety Week and the positivity of the program on the boating community.

Mayor Foley expressed his appreciation to the Coast Guard Auxiliary for their efforts in supporting and educating on boating safety. He then presented the Proclamation to the Flotilla Commander and Flotilla Vice Commander.

b. Proclamation: Moonshot Community

Marie O'Brien, Frances Atchison, and other members representing the Learning Alliance were present to address the Town Council. Ms.Atchison, a former Councilmember, addressed the Town Council giving the history and achievements of the Learning Alliance within the community. Mayor Foley highlighted areas of the Proclamation and expressed his appreciation to the Alliance as well as expressing his support over the Town of Indian River Shores was a Moonshot Community.

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c. Presentation of the September 30,2024 Financial Statements - Christine Noll-Rhan Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC

Christine Noll-Rhan Carr reported that the Town's 2024 Financial Statement review resulted in a clean audit with no findings. Due to GASB requirements the Building Department has become a major fund. ARPA funds have been committed and were on track. Ms. Noll-Rhan also reported, and congratulated the Town, for the favorable rating on the financial indicator report. Effective next year, GASB amendments will require the Town to accrue sick leave.

4. Comments From the Public Regarding Agenda Items(s) None.

5. Consent Agenda

a. Approval of Regular Town Council Meeting Minutes dated March 26, 2025

b. Resolution No. 25-05 Ambulance Fee Schedule Effective October 1, 2025

c. Approval of Planning, Zoning & Variance Board Recommendation of Site Plan Modifications Councilmember Carroll made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Vice Mayor Auwaerter seconded the motion. The Town Clerk called the roll. All members present voted in the affirmative with the motion passing unanimously (5-0).

6. Mayor's Report

Mayor Foley announced that the Town had received notification from the Department of Environmental Protection that the Sector 4 beach in the Town had been designated as Critically Eroded by FDEP. He explained that the Town has been working towards this designation for over a decade and was thrilled to finally achieve its long sought after goal. Mayor Foley expressed appreciation to Representative Brackett and Senator Grall as well as the Town Council, staff, and consultants for their efforts. Mayor Foley noted that the designation will make it easier to repair, replenish and preserve the beaches and dunes.

Mayor Foley reported on the cart exchange taking place between Republic Services and Waste Management in anticipation of the October 1 Solid Waste and Recycling Agreement with Waste Management. Foley expressed appreciation to Town staff for their efforts in the program.

Mayor Foley announced effective May, the dress code for Councilmembers through September would be business casual.

7. Councilmember Items

None.

Councilmember Altieri, the Town's representative on the Beach and Shores Advisory Committee, expressed his appreciation to Town Manager Harpring and outside Counsel, Holland, and Knight for their diligence in securing the Critically Eroded designation for Sector 4. Vice Mayor Auwaerter concurred.

8. Discussion with Possible or Probable Action.

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Mayor Foley opened the Public Hearing. The title was ready by Attorney Sweeney. Al Kettel inquired if the non-ad valorem assessment was in addition to the recycling fee already included on the tax bills. It was explained that the recycling fee was already part of the landfill fee. It was confirmed that sales of property would include the proration of the assessment on the closing statement at the time of purchase. With no further questions, Mayor Foley closed the Public Hearing. Councilmember Carroll made a motion to adopt Resolution 25-04. Vice Mayor Auwaerter seconded the motion. The Town Clerk called the roll. All present voted in the affirmative. The motion passed unanimously (5-0).

b. Ordinance No. 578 - Modification to Planned Residential Development, Tract Ua, River Club at Carlton

Attorney Sweeney read the title. It was noted that it was the second reading of a matter that had passed unanimously on first reading the prior month's meeting during a quasi-judicial hearing. With no public comment at second reading, a motion was made by Councilmember Carroll and seconded by Vice Mayor Auwaerter to approve Ordinance No. 578 on second reading. The Town Clerk called the roll. All members present voted in the affirmative. The motion passed unanimously (5-0).

c. Approval of September 30,2024 Audited Financial Statements

Councilmember Auwaerter expressed his appreciation to Heather Christmas, Town Treasurer for her diligence in her timely filing of all required reports and documents. A motion was made by Vice Mayor Auwaerter, seconded by Councilmember Carroll, and unanimously passed (5-0) to approve the September 30,2024 Audited Financial Statements.

d. Request to Reschedule November 2025 Regular Town Council Meeting

A motion was made by Councilmember Carroll, seconded by Vice Mayor Auwaerter, and unanimously passed (5-0) to reschedule the November Regular Town Council meeting from November 13 to November 20, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.