[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6149627,"mediaKeyId","5511459-efc23efa41df331d98be8f4e3869eab9","parentId",5511459,"title","Council narrows town-attorney choice; final selection scheduled for Aug. 5 with staff to prepare comparison matrix","audioSeconds",5027,"startMs",929000,"endMs",5956000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5511459-efc23efa41df331d98be8f4e3869eab9&start=929&end=5956","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5511459-efc23efa41df331d98be8f4e3869eab9/thumbnail_929000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6149627/Florida/Council-narrows-town-attorney-choice-final-selection-scheduled-for-Aug-5-with-staff-to-prepare-comparison-matrix","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6149627-b7af2bfb650e88e39621eafb8145f4bc/orig.mp4?Expires=1774967274&Signature=Mu23s27q0vuBzU5WzNmpM45n6iXfoSneRIn~kFzU8OW8H~QCe~OJ9S81CD1-xSaIq7pXKCytXt6rCTmoHw7eP7blkDUlqYLeA8hToAfuLcOSR5o1jVQRyoQT7SIlGtLTHCUFZ7wLJfw0anO5DNs0OZuCxR7NXaFW8rS7j09T75L0FgdOkXhwPiVYPN86sVo4a~ZNb09ouTPd~TH~gBsq3Jf4QylUWv6-EA~bdwlCyUZhj1-oqThp7cceUeUjwERauPqn-NYdcIMlF~n78smoSgsyTSZ0tTbw4mna4U2QuScIMjISojffnbsHCO2OxEeRGGtAGM5EzWH-ZIRDqmDwow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Loxahatchee Groves, FL","date","2025-07-30T13:54:09Z","article","The Loxahatchee Groves Town Council heard presentations July 28 from two law-firm teams and one local attorney seeking the town-attorney position and agreed to resume the selection process at a special meeting Aug. 5. Staff will prepare a comparison matrix of each firm's proposal and a fill-in-the-blank professional-services contract so the council can make a decision and sign a contract at the Aug. 5 meeting, the council said.

Presentations: The first firm to present identified Matt Ramenda and David Tolsis as the lead attorneys and described a multi-practice municipal firm with experience in litigation, code enforcement, labor and land use. Ramenda said the firm has nearly 100 attorneys and multiple South Florida offices and listed supporting attorneys in the proposed team for land use and labor matters.

A second firm, represented by John Fumero with colleagues including Alicia Lewis, described a midsize Palm Beach County-based practice that emphasizes governmental law, land use, zoning and code enforcement. That team offered either an hourly blended rate or a tailored flat-fee model, and proposed a 90-day period of hourly work to allow the firm to size a flat fee appropriate to the town's needs.

A third candidate, Jeff Kurtz (a town project coordinator who said he would serve as a solo practitioner), proposed an alternative in-house-style arrangement. Kurtz said he would be the primary attorney if hired and quoted a lower hourly rate in his presentation; he said he would supply initial coverage for the town and could transition into the role once insurance and other logistics were completed.

Council discussion covered three main themes: (1) contract term length (several council members said they favored a term that ends in a January after the first year so that annual election cycles do not coincide with contract renewal), (2) how to prevent inconsistent legal advice when multiple attorneys from a firm work for the town (both firms described internal review processes and assigning a primary point of contact), and (3) budget/fee structure (one firm described a flat-fee arrangement for another client of roughly $9,000 per month as an example; another offered a blended hourly approach with a 90-day assessment period). A council member asked staff to provide the council's historical yearly legal-hours and billing totals for the past three years to aid comparison.

Decisions and next steps: The council instructed staff to produce a matrix comparing hourly rates, flat-fee options, paralegal rates, included/excluded services, and proposed contract terms; staff was also asked to draft a fill-in-the-blank professional-services contract that would allow the chosen firm or attorney to begin work promptly if selected. The council set Aug. 5 as the meeting to make the selection and expected the selected attorney or firm to be ready to begin work on the date specified in the contract.

Why it matters: The town's legal counsel advises on land use, code enforcement, procurement and litigation risk. Council members repeatedly said they want consistent, timely legal advice that fits the town's budget and operational needs.

Ending: Council members and several residents said they want to see the comparison matrix and sample contract at the Aug. 5 meeting before finalizing the hire.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","7/28/2025 Town Council Special Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Three candidates — two law-firm teams and one local attorney — presented to the council July 28. Council directed staff to prepare a side-by-side matrix and sample professional-services contract; a final vote and contract execution are scheduled for Aug. 5.","taxTitle","Town of Loxahatchee Groves, Palm Beach County, Florida","taxId",75779,"location","Florida","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6149632,"Resident urges careful review of proposed RV-resort zoning change, cites green-space and revenue promises",175,613000,788000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5511459-efc23efa41df331d98be8f4e3869eab9&start=613&end=788","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5511459-efc23efa41df331d98be8f4e3869eab9/thumbnail_613000.jpg","/articles/6149632/Florida/Resident-urges-careful-review-of-proposed-RV-resort-zoning-change-cites-green-space-and-revenue-promises","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6149632-5b68814d2d527ce3e026158f2808e42c/orig.mp4?Expires=1774967274&Signature=IMkuiouesjhc98-64npeTGxIJaTS7t-g~ZPxAkhJgpcyodcGfhvovea67H317hkCis8-3Q~biUjAfmvjkodjX1egLBN8LfQg5A5eFoLoeYlIk3rk8U-Vc9dFkXMyfviTIq9o8DEg3iZOhz9XC~z7NtzYcY5mvUWigCHbveXymOHPQ6~-lteXrYcSAdWT2le2234kI~G21dvV8Rrkf-Z6iIfqZkchJxtmyxZuM-K6IpxfdH52WetmB~ZM0Rq~mQ1VIGnO5pGnrGUXzZLe39ZfYDQYBphHy6KeCX8Ho8LFkJdyBdnvzeDee--uJv9JIGGgcaBjYZra3EOnceRSQ7bhow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Joseph Siliano, a resident, told the council July 28 that a proposed RV-resort project being discussed publicly would require a zoning change before it could move forward and that any such change would be subject to the town's formal process.

Siliano said the developer is seeking recreational use approval — not commercial zoning — and compared recreational businesses in the town's AGRES district (examples he cited: horse barns, nurseries, fruit stands, agritourism). He said the project as proposed would preserve more than 60% green space, include about 8 acres of conservation area, walking, biking and horse trails that the developer has proposed to donate to the town, and would connect to city water and sewer to relieve pressure on the aquifer. He said the developer is offering $500,000 up front plus $25,000 annually in surplus revenue beyond standard business tax receipts, and that the site plan is available on the town website.

Siliano argued the project could act as a roughly 47-acre buffer between Southern Boulevard commercial zoning and nearby residents and said outright rejection of reasonable proposals could leave the town exposed to a private lawsuit and possible forced commercial development. He urged council members to read the site plan and keep discussion civil.

Why it matters: zoning-designation decisions determine what uses are permitted on a parcel and how land-use conflicts are managed. Siliano's comments pointed to direct trade-offs residents and council must weigh: conservation and infrastructure commitments versus concerns about long-term land-use change and commercial encroachment.

Siliano also addressed market impacts on small private RV rentals, estimating that an average private RV rental to a homeowner of about $2,000 per month would equate to roughly six days at the proposed resort, and said concerns about the “Live Oakville Act” applying were misplaced because, in his view, it does not apply to recreational land (quote as presented by speaker). He invited anyone to provide concrete evidence to refute his claims and said he would publicly recant any incorrect statements.

Ending: Siliano closed by urging civility in council debate and asking council and residents to review the developer's materials on the town website before making decisions.","A resident urged the council to distinguish recreational zoning from commercial zoning for a proposed RV resort, highlighted proposed conservation and revenue commitments from the developer, and warned of litigation risks if the town repeatedly rejects proposals.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6149637,"County to close Northlake Boulevard starting July 29; town staff outline traffic plan",187,211000,398000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5511459-efc23efa41df331d98be8f4e3869eab9&start=211&end=398","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5511459-efc23efa41df331d98be8f4e3869eab9/thumbnail_211000.jpg","/articles/6149637/Florida/County-to-close-Northlake-Boulevard-starting-July-29-town-staff-outline-traffic-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6149637-a8f419edc2ec9cc7920c64dca8183ec9/orig.mp4?Expires=1774967274&Signature=Ac9Smh7MHN0XAo3W6IZPOUsyTVTvTmV3pk1j8jfI9cLHWHWcS~LbySMyfPoAeFbnyBBlcv2ReNts38jiV8Lub50ATbbBy5sOnRYSP47sKHvQkr~H0sBOaIMcOD3EKsqBK6WO03oLm9iZjuywVzD8eBvfPi7WpbdT9VprIh5Nl~OOsiJ5cSViYkYXhco8xKDJWJ~xiEA5ngf6sObJv86EO0hVlmuJ7Nub-BczHRtKUHewbegKgqg1mjCRPPwTpax1YPWZ-IOyWvjALi8VxkaY1MQxF42zRtwoIwzQpWmj0JSzvMY3UU-sQ9PPlrHE9CvMbl8JJKM1m-CbPDy3WWbqgQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Palm Beach County will begin closures on Northlake Boulevard at 8 p.m. Friday and is expected to continue work through the second week of August, town staff said at the Loxahatchee Groves Town Council special meeting July 28. Town staff urged residents to rely on printed and posted county flyers and the town's official website for details and updates.

The town's representative said the county flyer and communications are posted in the town hall lobby and on both doors in English and Spanish. She said the town has requested extra variable message boards; the county will supply at least one additional board so the town can use three in total. The town also secured extra staffing from the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office (PBSO) to assist with handling north–south traffic flow at Okeechobee Road during peak times.

Why it matters: residents and commuters should expect traffic congestion, altered traffic patterns and increased police presence during the closure period. Town staff asked residents to share official notices on local social media and to report logistics problems directly to town staff so adjustments can be made quickly.

Town staff described operational limits imposed by emergency responders: the county declined to authorize permanent channeling or barricades along some shoulders because Emergency Medical Services must retain access to those right-of-ways. The staff member said PBSO deputies will be stationed at key cut-throughs and the town will monitor and adjust locations and staffing as needed.

Council and resident questions focused on the accuracy of posted detour maps and translation of county materials. A council member said a social-media map posted by a third party showed routes through the town that do not exist; staff said they would follow up with the commissioner's office to clarify the master-transportation-plan references and confirm the official closure footprint.

Town staff asked residents to report issues immediately (cell/ email) — not to wait — so the town can respond during the multiweek closure. The town will post information on the official town website and encouraged sharing of those official messages on neighborhood pages to reduce rumors.

Ending: staff asked residents to notify them promptly about problems during the closure period and said deputies and message boards will be deployed beginning Aug. 4 for peak-hour traffic control. For official closure details residents were referred to the county flyer and the town's website.","Palm Beach County will close portions of Northlake Boulevard starting Friday evening; town staff outlined signage, sheriff resources and local logistics and urged residents to follow official county communications.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council narrows town-attorney choice; final selection scheduled for Aug. 5 with staff to prepare comparison matrix

Resident urges careful review of proposed RV-resort zoning change, cites green-space and revenue promises

County to close Northlake Boulevard starting July 29; town staff outline traffic plan