Lake Worth Beach: January 20, 2026 - Lake Worth Beach Regular City Commission Meeting
Summary. The Lake Worth Beach City Commission held its regular meeting on January 20, 2026, starting at 6:05 PM with all members present. The meeting featured extensive public comment focused on requests for a special meeting to address immigration enforcement issues affecting the community. Multiple residents, advocates, and students shared personal stories about family separations and asked the commission to take action to protect immigrant residents. The commission addressed several administrative items including approval of minutes, consent agenda items, and multiple ordinances. They voted to add a fourth special magistrate to assist with code enforcement cases, approved zoning changes for the Sunset Drive property to single-family residential, and conducted the second reading of a controversial ordinance regulating special events and food sharing in public parks. Due to numerous concerns and proposed amendments regarding the special events ordinance, the commission voted to continue the public hearing to February 3, 2026. The meeting concluded with discussion of an incident at the Martin Luther King Day event involving ROTC students and political signage, Commissioner McVoy's defense of his actions at the MLK events, and announcements about upcoming lobbying efforts in Tallahassee.
Agenda Items
1. Roll Call and Opening
Meeting called to order at 6:05 PM with all commissioners present
- Roll call completed
- Moment of silence led by Vice Mayor Malaga
- Pledge led by Commissioner McVoy
- Agenda modifications discussed
2. Public Comment - Immigration Enforcement Crisis
Extensive public comment period with residents requesting special meeting on immigration enforcement
- Multiple personal stories of family separations
- Request for special meeting without time restrictions
- Data provided by Guatemala Maya Center
- Stories of children affected by parent deportations
- Economic and social impacts on community
3. Consent Agenda - Special Magistrate Appointment
Discussion and approval of adding fourth special magistrate
- Concerns about judge shopping raised by McVoy
- Need for additional magistrate due to conflicts and vacations
- Support from Malaga and Segrech for more enforcement options
4. Unfinished Business - Sunset Drive Rezoning
First reading of ordinance rezoning Sunset Drive property to single-family residential
- Ratification of previous quasi-judicial hearing decision
- Community support for SFR zoning
- Concerns about future development impacts
4-A. Special Events and Food Distribution Ordinance - Second Reading
Continued discussion and public hearing on ordinance regulating special events and food sharing in public parks
- Concerns about 25-person threshold being too restrictive for spontaneous gatherings
- Transportation access issues to designated parks like Sunset Ridge
- Constitutional concerns about restricting food sharing as political expression
- Insurance and liability requirements for events
- Changing language from 'food handouts' to 'food sharing'
- Increasing permitted events from 2 to 4 per organization annually
- Modifying large festival threshold from 1000 to 500 people
7-A. Agreement for Executive Recruitment Services for City Manager
Motion to approve executive recruitment services agreement
- Brief discussion and approval
7-B. Work Order with Atlantic Pipe Services
Work order approval for pipe services
- Motion and approval without discussion
7-C. Construction Agreement with Johnson Davis
Agreement for 10th and 13th Street stormwater improvement project
- Brief approval
7-D. Purchase Order for Caterpillar Backhoe Loader
Equipment purchase approval
- Brief discussion about equipment purchase
7-E. Purchase Order for MAC Truck with Side Loader
Truck purchase approval
- Quick approval
8. Commissioner Comments - McVoy MLK Event Response
Commissioner McVoy provided detailed response to criticism about his actions at MLK events
- Clarification about ROTC participants and anti-ICE signs at MLK march
- Description of confrontation at Cultural Plaza where sign was removed
- Announcement of Everglades Coalition public service award
- Defense against accusations of attention-seeking behavior
9. Mayor Comments - Tallahassee Trip
Mayor announced upcoming lobbying trip to Tallahassee with commissioners
- Three commissioners traveling to Tallahassee on Sunday
- Issues include sovereign immunity, property tax cuts, city financial control
- Lobbying through Florida League of Cities
- Challenges of traveling to and working in Tallahassee
Motions & Votes
Motion to approve agenda as amended
Moved by Not clearly stated, seconded by Commissioner Christopher McVoy
Passed
Motion to approve appointment of fourth special magistrate
Moved by Not clearly stated, seconded by Not clearly stated
Passed 4-1
Motion to approve Ordinance 25-16 first reading - Sunset Drive rezoning
Moved by Commissioner Mimi May, seconded by Vice Mayor Sarah Malaga
Passed unanimously
Motion to extend meeting by 20 minutes
Moved by Anthony Segrech, seconded by Betty Resch
Passed
Motion to continue Special Events ordinance to February 3, 2026 meeting
Moved by Sarah Malaga, seconded by Betty Resch
Passed
Motion to approve executive recruitment services agreement
Passed
Motion to approve work order with Atlantic Pipe Services
Passed
Motion to approve construction agreement with Johnson Davis
Passed
Motion to approve purchase order for Caterpillar backhoe loader
Moved by Mimi May, seconded by Sarah Malaga
Passed
Motion to approve purchase order for MAC truck with side loader
Passed
Motion to continue resolution to February 3, 2026 meeting
Moved by Mimi May
Passed
Motion to adjourn
Moved by Christopher McVoy, seconded by Sarah Malaga
Passed unanimously
Action Items
Resend immigration data to commission in readable format
Assigned to Guatemala Maya Center
Schedule second reading of Sunset Drive ordinance
Assigned to City Clerk · Due January 29, 2026
Commissioners to submit proposed changes to Special Events ordinance via email to staff
Assigned to All commissioners · Due Thursday before February 3, 2026
Write formal apology letter regarding ROTC incident at MLK Day event
Assigned to Mayor Betty Resch
Arrange recognition presentation for ROTC achievements
Assigned to Staff and Commissioner Anthony Segrech
Travel to Tallahassee to lobby for city interests through Florida League of Cities
Assigned to Mayor Betty Resch, Vice Mayor Sarah Malaga, Commissioner Mimi May · Due Sunday
Frequently Asked Questions
What was decided at this meeting?
The Lake Worth Beach City Commission held its regular meeting on January 20, 2026, starting at 6:05 PM with all members present. The meeting featured extensive public comment focused on requests for a special meeting to address immigration enforcement issues affecting the community. Multiple residents, advocates, and students shared personal stories about family separations and asked the commission to take action to protect immigrant residents. The commission addressed several administrative items including approval of minutes, consent agenda items, and multiple ordinances. They voted to add a fourth special magistrate to assist with code enforcement cases, approved zoning changes for the Sunset Drive property to single-family residential, and conducted the second reading of a controversial ordinance regulating special events and food sharing in public parks. Due to numerous concerns and proposed amendments regarding the special events ordinance, the commission voted to continue the public hearing to February 3, 2026. The meeting concluded with discussion of an incident at the Martin Luther King Day event involving ROTC students and political signage, Commissioner McVoy's defense of his actions at the MLK events, and announcements about upcoming lobbying efforts in Tallahassee.
What was on the agenda?
This meeting covered 12 agenda items: Roll Call and Opening; Public Comment - Immigration Enforcement Crisis; Consent Agenda - Special Magistrate Appointment; Unfinished Business - Sunset Drive Rezoning; Special Events and Food Distribution Ordinance - Second Reading; Agreement for Executive Recruitment Services for City Manager; Work Order with Atlantic Pipe Services; Construction Agreement with Johnson Davis; Purchase Order for Caterpillar Backhoe Loader; Purchase Order for MAC Truck with Side Loader; Commissioner Comments - McVoy MLK Event Response; Mayor Comments - Tallahassee Trip.
How many motions were voted on?
12 motions were voted on during this meeting. See the Motions & Votes section above for each motion and its result.
What action items came out of this meeting?
6 action items were identified. See the Action Items section above for details and who they were assigned to.
Who attended this meeting?
5 members were recorded as present: Mayor Betty Resch, Vice Mayor Sarah Malaga, Commissioner Christopher McVoy, Commissioner Mimi May, Commissioner Anthony Segrech.
Where can I watch the full recording?
The full video recording is available on YouTube or embedded at the top of this page.
What county is Lake Worth Beach in?
Lake Worth Beach is located in Palm Beach County, Florida. Browse other Palm Beach County meeting summaries to see what local governments across the county are working on.
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