BCC Briefs for April 17, 2012


April 20, 2012

The following was provided by Quianna Gray, Secretary to Shelley Vana:

At the April 17, 2012, Board of County Commissioners meeting, the board took the following action:

Wage theft – discussed a proposed county ordinance establishing a procedure for victims of wage theft to recover back wages. Staff was directed to take 90 days to work on the ordinance language with the Legal Aid Society, business leaders, and members of a workers advocacy group.

Congress Avenue – conceptually approved alignment 2a for the extension of Congress Avenue from Park Lane to Alternate A1A. This allows for the design and right of way acquisition process to begin.

Island Way – discussed a proposed alignment for Jupiter Park Drive/Western Corridor, to be known as Island Way, and agreed to postpone selection to the May 15 board meeting to give staff an opportunity to meet with affected residents.

Water mains – adopted resolutions confirming special assessments for property owners on Raulerson Drive in Greenacres and East Secretariat Drive in Loxahatchee for installation of potable water mains.

Vehicles for hire – approved on preliminary reading and to advertise for public hearing on May 15 a series of amendments to the Palm Beach County Vehicle for Hire Ordinance. Staff was directed to return in six months with specific standards mirroring those in effect at Palm Beach International Airport.

Legislative update – heard a presentation by state Rep. Mark Pafford on the county’s 2012 legislative agenda priorities and appropriations.

Legislative Affairs – received a final report on the 2012 Florida Legislative Session from Legislative Affairs Director Todd Bonlarron.

Housing – approved up to $10 million in Housing Finance Authority multifamily housing revenue bonds for Village at the Park, a 152-unit multifamily rental housing facility in Delray Beach to be rented to qualified individuals; also approved up to $8.4 million in Housing Finance Authority multifamily housing revenue refunding debt obligations for Pinnacle Palms Apartments, a 152-unit facility for the elderly in West Palm Beach. No county funds or its taxing power, faith or credit are involved.

Historic property – adopted a resolution granting a county tax exemption for a historic property known as the Bath and Tennis Club, located at 1170 South Ocean Blvd., in the town of Palm Beach.

Land use – declined to consider at a future meeting whether to require a super-majority vote (five votes) on proposed land-use changes for Peanut Island, environmentally sensitive lands owned by the county, and publicly owned land in the Agricultural Reserve.