City manager outlines tighter staff protocols and names interim police chief

Terrence Moore, the city manager for Delray Beach, told the Downtown Development Authority on June 9 that he has instructed department directors to follow clearer protocols for engaging with the DDA and other advisory bodies.

Moore described the steps as intended to keep staff responsive while avoiding ad hoc or counterproductive direct outreach that bypasses department leadership. "Please know with the office of the city manager, you have a very responsive and attentive focus," he told the board.

Why it matters: Moore’s remarks followed a heated DDA meeting in May and a string of public concerns about city responsiveness. The manager said his office will be the primary point of contact when higher-level involvement is necessary and that Assistant City Manager Jeff Orris will coordinate the department-level responses.

Moore also told the board he will bring parking and related policy issues to the City Commission on July 8 so commissioners can offer policy guidance. He said staff will prepare details for the commission and invited DDA directors and members to attend and provide input.

Police transition: Moore announced that Police Chief Russell (Russ) Major has tendered his resignation and that Assistant Chief Daryl Hunter will serve as interim chief beginning Monday, June 16. "Assistant Chief of Police Daryl Hunter will be appointed interim chief of police. His role will begin effective Monday, June 16," Moore said. Moore added that Major’s full retirement had become effective Dec. 31, 2024, although Major remained on board until recently and the city had accepted an extension earlier.

Board reaction: Several DDA board members urged the city to consider internal candidates before hiring a permanent replacement. Board members said they value institutional knowledge and community relationships in a police chief and urged the city commission to consider those attributes during its recruitment process. The board did not take a formal vote but expressed informal consensus that internal candidates should be considered.

Why the DDA discussed policing: Board members said public safety and business confidence are central to downtown vitality, and that the DDA regularly hears complaints from merchants about code enforcement, homelessness and quality-of-life issues. Several members asked for improved information flows from Development Services and code enforcement staff so board members could better explain processes to constituents.

Next steps: Moore said the city manager’s office and assistant city manager will convene as needed to route requests and allocate staff resources. He also asked DDA representatives to attend the July 8 commission discussion about parking so the commission can set policy direction that staff can implement.

Speakers

- Terrence Moore — City Manager, City of Delray Beach; affiliation_type: government - Jeff Orris — Assistant City Manager, City of Delray Beach; affiliation_type: government - Daryl Hunter — Assistant Chief of Police (appointed interim chief), City of Delray Beach Police Department; affiliation_type: government - Russell Major (Chief Major) — Chief of Police (resigned), City of Delray Beach; affiliation_type: government - Board members who spoke on the topic: Al Castillo (chair), Brian Rosen, Jim Knight, Vera Woodson

Authorities

- {"type":"other","name":"City commission policy/ordinance process","referenced_by":["Terrence Moore"]}

Actions

- {"kind":"other","motion":"No formal motion; city manager announced appointment of Assistant Chief Daryl Hunter as interim police chief effective June 16","mover":"City Manager (administrative)","second":"N/A","vote_record":[],"tally":{},"outcome":"no_action","notes":"Administrative appointment; City Commission to be informed."}

Discussion vs. decision

- Discussion: Need for improved staff engagement protocols; DDA concerns about code enforcement, process transparency and information flows to the board; preference among board members for internal consideration for the permanent police chief role. - Direction/assignment: Moore directed assistant city manager Jeff Orris to be principal point of contact for DDA operational matters and asked staff to prepare parking-related materials for the July 8 City Commission meeting. - Administrative decision: Moore announced the interim chief appointment (Daryl Hunter) and said the city will evaluate permanent options over coming months.

Clarifying_details

- Interim chief start date: June 16, 2025 — source: Terrence Moore - Chief Major’s retirement noted as effective Dec. 31, 2024 (but he remained on through recent transition) — source: Terrence Moore - City Commission agenda item on parking scheduled for July 8, 2025 — source: Terrence Moore

proper_names

[{"name":"City of Delray Beach","type":"agency"},{"name":"Delray Beach Police Department","type":"agency"},{"name":"Daryl Hunter","type":"person"},{"name":"Russell Major","type":"person"},{"name":"Terrence Moore","type":"person"}]

community_relevance

- geographies: ["Downtown Delray Beach","citywide"] - impact_groups: ["downtown business owners","residents","visitors"] - funding_sources: ["city general fund (public safety)"]

meeting_context

- engagement_level: {"speakers_count":8,"duration_minutes":60,"items_count":1} - implementation_risk: "low" (administrative appointment; recruitment for permanent chief to follow) - history: [{"date":"2025-06-03","note":"City Commission previously discussed related staffing items"}]

searchable_tags:["city manager","police transition","staff protocols","parking"],

provenance:{"transcript_segments":[{"block_id":"transcript_1515.08","local_start":0,"local_end":320,"evidence_excerpt":"Good afternoon. Terrence Moore... the purpose of my engagement today is somewhat informal... to discuss protocols moving forward in terms of staff engagement.","reason_code":"topicintro"},{"block_id":"transcript_3391.70","local_start":0,"local_end":200,"evidence_excerpt":"Russ Major has tenured his resignation... Assistant Chief of Police Daryl Hunter will be appointed interim chief of police. His role will begin effective Monday, June 16.","reason_code":"topicfinish"}]} ,