MAYOR'S CORNER
Many of us have heard the ancient proverb, "it takes a village", but what does it mean? It means each member of the community plays vital role to ensuring its success.

In the same token, it also takes a village to raise a city. Delray's "village" consists of the many people who volunteer their time paired with the many partnerships who associate with our town. From the Downtown Development Authority's focus on the City's downtown merchants and visitors to the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum and the Delray Beach Historical Society's aim to educate and preserve historical artifacts for future generations – dedicated community members ensure our bright future. This summer, our village opened its arms to host over 20 students joining us from schools from Florida and across the nation for the City’s summer internship program, an integral part of the City's Next Generation Initiatives. The relationship between the various city departments and the interns culminated in meaningful projects and presentations by each student on their research. Learn more about their experiences by watching the internship video .

Delray Beach’s unique village feel appeals both regionally and internationally, stretching our village boundary far beyond the Atlantic Ocean. Our long standing Sister City's partnerships with the cities of Moshi, Tanzania, Aquin, Haiti and Pescara, Italy are vital relationships that have the ability to carry out the widest possible diversity of activities of any international program. Giving us the opportunity to enhance our international communications, gain a mutual understanding of the cultural diversity of our Sister Cities and encourage economic and tourism development. Last year, we celebrated our 40th anniversary with Miyazu, Japan! If you have an interest in any of the sister cities, they can use your help.  Visit the Delray Beach Sister Cities webpage to learn more.

Our village is working together to benefit the whole city and as Mayor, I say thank you for making Delray Beach such a special place.


See you around town,
Shelly Petrolia
Mayor
 
Primary Elections - Tuesday, August 28
Tuesday, August 28 is election day for primary voters. For more information on registering to vote, voting polls and candidate information, visit the the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections website www.pbcelections.org .
The Florida Department of Transportation Community Open House
Delray Beach residents invited to have learn more about I-95 & West Atlantic Improvements
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), District Four, will host a Construction Open House on Thursday, August 30, for the improvements project at the I‐95 interchange at West Atlantic Avenue in the City of Delray Beach. The project team will be available to answer your questions and review the plans; however, a formal presentation will not be made.

Slated to be completed in Fall 2019, the $5.2 million project improvements include widening the northbound entrance ramp from Atlantic Avenue, milling, resurfacing, construction of retaining walls, new water mane installation, drainage improvements, guardrail, sign structures, lighting, pavement markings for improved safety and visibility, realigned crosswalks for improved pedestrian safety, internally illuminated and electronic display signs, pedestrian detectors, and traffic monitoring sites. In addition, pavement markings for bike lanes will be included throughout the project.

For more information, please contact Andrea Pacini, FDOT Community Outreach Specialist at 561-214-3358.
Venetian Drive & Gleason Street Intersection Improvements
The two-phased project is set to begin on September 4
R&D Paving, LLC will be working in conjunction with the City of Delray Beach on the Venetian Drive & Gleason Street Intersection Improvements project starting the week of September 4, 2018. The project was developed by the City of Delray Beach for the purpose of improving the paver brick intersections and pedestrian crosswalks at the intersections with Atlantic Avenue. It is anticipated that construction will be completed by December 3, 2018. 

Some inconveniences with vehicular and pedestrian travel will occur because of the intricacy of the work associated with the project. To minimize the inconveniences, the project will be constructed in two phases; Phase 1 & Phase 2 . During Phase 1 : east/westbound traffic along Atlantic Ave will remain open, pedestrian traffic will remain open, and ONLY right turns (eastbound) are available from Venetian Dr. and Gleason St. During Phase 2 : east/westbound traffic along Atlantic Ave. will remain open, pedestrian traffic will remain open, Venetian Dr. & Gleason St. access to Atlantic Ave. will be closed. During the construction period, there will be lane shifts, road detours, and pedestrian detours. For your safety please follow the traffic signage. All disturbed areas of work will be restored prior to the project’s completion. 

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the construction of this project, please feel free to call the City of Delray Beach’s Program & Project Management Division at (561) 243-7341 (Isaac Kovner, Project Manager). 
Vote for our 2018 Holiday Theme!
This year the City will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of the 100-Foot Christmas tree. We are looking to create an overall City theme for the Holiday Season and want you to be included. This would become the theme of the downtown merchant window display contest, the 2018 Holiday Parade and more City-wide activities. Take a moment to choose your favorite theme for this year's holiday season to celebrate this momentous year!
#CityHallSelfie Day earns the City a special nomination
If you're already a follower of the City's official Facebook and Twitter pages, you would've seen City employees showing off their best selfies using the hashtag #CityHallSelfie. Why? On Wednesday, August 15 the City of Delray Beach along with cities all over the country participated in the social media campaign called City Hall Selfie Day. 

Spearheaded by the Engaging Local Government Leaders (ELGL) organization, the event was created to encourage the community to show their spirit by stopping by their city hall or a government building, posing for a selfie and sharing it on social media to not only show pride in their city, but also win recognition and bragging rights. And we've got a reason to brag! The City has been nominated for Best City Hall Selfie of 2018. Click the link below to check out the City Hall Seflie Day photo album.
Set it & Forget it
Utility Automatic Bill Pay is now available, sign up today!
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The City's Utilities department has recently launched the automatic bill pay option for its utility customers. Now, you never have to miss a payment again! Have your payments automatically deducted from your authorized bank account on the date that your utility bill is due. 

Learn more on how to enroll!
City Hall will be closed on Monday, September 3 in observance of Labor Day.

Upcoming City Commission Meetings & Workshops
  • Thursday, September 6, 2018 - Budget Hearing/Regular Meeting
  • Tuesday, September 11, 2018 - Workshop Meeting
  • Tuesday, September 24,2018 - Final Budget Hearing/Regular Meeting

Committee/Advisory Board Meetings
  • Monday, August 27, 2018 - Public Advisory Board (Old School Square, 51 N. Swinton Ave Delray Beach, FL 33444)*
  • Wednesday, September 5, 2018 - Historic Preservation Board
  • Thursday, September 6, 2018 - Board of Adjustments
  • Wednesday, September 12, 2018 - Site Plan Review and Appearance Board
  • Monday, September 17, 2018 - Planning and Zoning Board
  • Thursday, September 20, 2018 - Board of Adjustment
  • Monday, September 24, 2018 - Public Art Advisory Board (Old School Square, 51 N. Swinton Ave Delray Beach, FL 33444)*
  • Thursday, September 26, 2018 - Site Plan Review and Appearance Board

*NOTE: Unless otherwise stated, all meetings will be begin at 6 pm in City Hall.
Road Closures & Construction
  • From September 4, 2018 through October 19, 2018, Palm Beach County will be performing a road closure (detour) on Golf Road from Military Trail to Congress Avenue (local traffic only). 
  • Beginning September 4, 2018, R&D Paving, LLC will be working in conjunction with the City on the Venetian Drive & Gleason Street Intersection Improvements.To minimize the inconveniences, the project will be constructed in two phases; Phase 1 & Phase 2. During Phase 1: east/westbound traffic along Atlantic Ave will remain open, pedestrian traffic will remain open, and ONLY right turns (eastbound) are available from Venetian Dr. and Gleason St. During Phase 2: east/westbound traffic along Atlantic Ave. will remain open, pedestrian traffic will remain open, Venetian Dr. & Gleason St. access to Atlantic Ave. will be closed. During the construction period, there will be lane shifts, road detours, and pedestrian detours. For your safety please adhere to the posted maintenance of traffic signage. It is anticipated that construction will be completed by December 3, 2018.  
  • Beginning Monday, October 1, 2018, the Florida Department of Transportation anticipates to begin the I-95 Interchange Improvements on Atlantic Avenue. Click here for more information this project.
  • From Monday, May 14, 2018 through Friday, August 31, 2018, State Road A1A (South Ocean Boulevard) between Linton Boulevard and Casuarina Road will have lane closures including bike lane and pedestrian sidewalk closures between the hours of 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, Monday through Friday for construction activities associated with the City's Reclaimed Water Main Expansion project (Area 12C).

For more information on road closures and construction notices, please contact the Public Works department at 561-243-4104.
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