NEWS UPDATE FROM TOWN HALL
DECEMBER 2, 2021
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I apologize for the Newsletter being a few days late this month. I had to make a quick trip to the northland to attend a family funeral. The funeral was a sad, somber affair as the deceased was just 51 years old. The weather was cold, 27 degrees, with a sharp northwest wind. I traveled with my daughter, who lives in Tequesta. When we returned to sunny Palm Beach County, we both said we were grateful to live in the Sunshine State! Thinking of grateful, I want to thank all the folks who wrote me expressing their appreciation of both my Veterans Day and Thanksgiving messages.
For me, and I think for most folks, December is the most festive month of the year! No matter how bleak things in our lives may be, the month brings cheer, goodwill, and fun. The music is cheerful, and the decorations are beautiful. Best of all, people have an extra bounce in their steps and a smile on their faces. For a while we put our problems and concerns to the side and enjoy the festivities.
In our little Town, the Holiday Season is in full swing. The two Chanukah menorah lightings were a great success. The Christmas/Holiday Tree Lighting is just around the Corner on December 3rd, and festivities start at 6:00 PM. The Mayor’s Youth Council Christmas Party will be held on December 12th from 12 - 3:00 PM. See in fliers included in this Newsletter for details. Come join the fun.
Turning for a moment to the mundane: town business, the November workshop, and Commission meeting had relatively light agendas. Here is a rundown of what transpired.
November workshop:
- A program to eliminate possible Iguanas from the Town was discussed. The plan is to train three two-person teams to use air pellet guns and have them shoot the critters and then properly dispose of them. Green Iguanas are not protected as they are an invasive species. Also, they cannot relocate and must be exterminated.
- There was a lengthy discussion of Tree trimming. The cost to renew our tree trimming contract came in at $85,000 which is significantly over budget. The offer was rejected. It was decided to proceed with trimming of the Coconut Palms in Town, some 220 of them, and to review different options for the annual trimming of other trees. I will write more on this in the December Newsletter.
- It was agreed that the Town should not pass Proclamations supporting programs that are fundamentally political in nature. Town Government is nonpartisan and should remain that way.
I provided updates on three town projects, as follows:
- Progress on the undergrounding project slowed during the run-up to Thanksgiving. Comcast stops the removal of its overhead wires. (They have now resumed the removal and should finish up in three or four days. We will send out a special notice when they have completed the removal.)
- The water main replacement project (on Lake and Inlet Way) has been delayed. It is now scheduled to start the second week of January 2022. The delay was due to a change in project scope.
- The East Channel Dredging project (the channel running In front of the Sailfish, Buccaneer, and Cannonsport docks) is moving forward. I will write a full explanation and description of this project in a subsequent newsletter. If you have questions about the project and can’t wait for answers, give me a call.
November Commission Meeting:
- The main event was the fiscal year-end financial report. In a few words, The Town ended the year with a positive budget variance. Town Administrator will provide the details separately.
- The Iguana extermination program was approved on a four to one vote; Commissioner Kourtenhaus voted to disapprove. She voiced concern about possible liability. The other Commissions pointed out that any resident requesting the team’s services would be required to sign a detailed hold harmless agreement which relieves the Town of any liability.
- Finally, a housekeeping ordinance approved the County Supervisor of Election to act as the Town Canvassing Board to adjudicate contested elections.
And that is a wrap; Happy Chanukah, Merry Christmas.
Alan
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TOWN ADMINISTRATOR - WENDY WELLS
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FINANCIAL UPDATE
At the November Commission meeting, the final figures were presented for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021. The Town had a surplus of $723,530. This was in no small part due to receipt of $316,039 in American Rescue Plan funds, a $200,000 bequest, and $52,575 in Covid grants. Many other revenues also came in higher than anticipated. Coupled with the positive revenues, expenditures came in at 95% of the budget or $280,141. A portion of this ($147,137) was carried forward to FY2022 to complete capital projects that were delayed. The Town’s fund balance increased by the surplus. The restricted fund balance increased because of the unspent grants and donations. The unassigned or available fund balance at year-end is $2,064,549, which represents 37% of the budget. This is a very strong financial position.
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TREVOR STEEDMAN - FIRE CHIEF
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Office of Emergency Management:
Hurricane Season:
Palm Beach Shores escaped the 2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season unscathed! Thanks to all the Town departments and residents for their preparation and readiness – We’ll do it all again in about 6 months and hope for similar results in 2022!
COVID-19 Update:
The PBC Emergency Operations Center is maintaining COVID-19 operations at Activation Level III (Enhanced Monitoring). The State of Florida currently has been among the lowest COVID positivity rates in the country. The Daily Lab Positivity rate remains below 5% (2.8 %) as of Monday, November 29. County Emergency Management will continue communication with Local / Municipal Emergency Management representatives as conditions change. The Omicron variant is being watched very carefully as its prevalence, significance, and response to existing vaccines are being evaluated. COVID-19 information and more resources are available by visiting https://discover.pbcgov.org/coronavirus/Pages/Updates.aspx
County Testing Sites:
Our closest testing site is in Palm Beach Gardens at the Gardens Branch of the PBC Libraries - 11303 Campus Drive, off PGA Blvd. This site offers drive-through testing (PCR “Nasal Swab” and Rapid Test). The testing is free; however, where available, insurance or Medicare / Medicaid programs will be billed to help offset the cost of testing. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Monoclonal Antibody Therapy Treatment:
The State has established a monoclonal antibody therapy treatment site at the Westgate Park and Recreation Center in West Palm Beach. This site has the capacity to serve 300 patients per day and will be open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The site is located at:
Westgate Park and Recreation Center - 3691 Oswego Ave. - West Palm Beach, Florida 33409. The monoclonal antibody treatments are available to individuals 12 years of age and older who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 and are at high risk for severe illness and hospitalization. The monoclonal antibody treatments are available at no cost to eligible individuals. The antibodies help the immune system recognize and respond effectively to the virus. According to the treatment guidelines, they should be administered as soon as possible after diagnosis.
The Palm Beach Shores Office of Emergency Management will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they are received.
The Florida Department of Health has established a dedicated COVID-19 call center (866) 779-6121 for the public to call 24 hours a day. In addition, the public can email COVID19@flhealth.gov for more information.
Fire Department (Christmas 2021):
On Christmas Day, the PBSFD will be making its rounds throughout Town with Santa on the fire engine. We are pleased to be able to return to the other part of this long-standing tradition – Santa will once again distribute presents to the kids and kids-at-heart. Please drop off your presents to the Fire Chief’s Office no later than Monday, December 20. Make sure that the wrapped presents include the individual’s Name and Palm Beach Shores Address to where they are to be delivered. Please keep in mind that Santa and the Fire Elves begin their rounds early Christmas Morning, beginning at the Marriott and then working our way from North to South throughout Town. To that end, specific times and “reservations” are not feasible for us to honor or maintain. On a side note, the community is always rather festive and generous toward Santa and the Fire Elves. Although we truly appreciate the gracious offers of baked goods and adult beverages, Santa and the Elves are on duty and cannot imbibe – We thank you for the sentiment, but please understand why we will kindly decline the hospitality.
Ocean Rescue:
Our Lifeguards want to remind everyone of the continued presence of rip currents. Please use extra caution if you choose to enter the ocean outside of the guarded beach or before/after guarded beach hours. As the Lifeguards’ sage advice goes - “Its best to keep your feet in the sand until the lifeguard is in the stand.”
With December now upon us, we want to wish everyone a Safe, Healthy, and Happy Holiday Season and a prosperous New Year!
As always, please reach out with questions or if we can be of any assistance. tsteedman@pbsfire.org or (561) 296-3380
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STEVE LANGEVIN - SGT. - DISTRICT #20 |
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From all of us here at your Sheriff's Office, we hope you have a very happy and safe holiday season. Please remember we are here if you need us.
Here is a quick update on the stolen boat and numerous stolen bicycles. Using our camera some excellent detective work, we located and recovered the boat in Key West. Following up on this with their cameras and additional information, we discovered that the suspect was in transit to the Bahamas on another stolen boat.
We contacted the Bahamian police officials, who located him entering into the country illegally and with another stolen boat. He is currently serving two and ½ years in a Bahamian jail. Upon his release, we have a warrant for his arrest to stand trial on our charges.
With the eight bicycles taken, our deputies came in contact with a suspect on two occasions but lacked probable cause to affect an arrest. Over about three weeks, we were able to piece together our cameras at the entrance to the Town along with residents' Ring and other types of cameras to gather enough evidence to support a warrant for the suspects' arrest from the state attorney's office.
The suspect is seen entering the Town on Park Avenue. He first checked parked car doors, and luckily they were locked. He proceeded to the sides of houses and, in one case, the patio of an apartment and removed the bicycles.
Cameras show him leaving Town riding a bike with another in tow. The suspect is homeless, living somewhere on the beach in Riviera Beach and in Phil Foster Park. He has been arrested 203 times, so he is good at stealing things but not getting away with it. The warrant is issued, and we are actively seeking his arrest.
There is a lot of construction work throughout the Town, especially on Inlet Way. That project will last about 14 months, so please be careful while driving, even more so while walking and biking. I have spoken to the representative from the construction company and expressed our concerns.
We have received complaints of folks speeding in Town and have positioned our deputies at different locations at different times using radar to address the situation.
We also brought in extra deputies for three weekends on the Segway and foot along the Inlet Walkway in response to reports of motor scooters/motorcycles traveling the parkway, which is against town ordinances.
He has been located for those awoken the last few weeks by the unknown loud motorcyclist on Linda Lane at 2:30 a.m. The driver was cited for driving without a license and no registration, and his motorcycle was towed.
On Thanksgiving morning, we were out and about for the Marriott's Turkey Trot. They have been doing this charity event for years, and we have always provided traffic assistance for them. This year over 100 folks were walking and running with dogs and strollers from Marriott's entrance and circled the Town ending back at Marriott. Thanks to all of you who stood by while the group went through. It was all for charity. They plan on doing this again as they do every year on Christmas EVE morning at 9 a.m. It takes about 30-40 minutes to get everyone through.
As usual, we have many Town and civic events throughout this time of year. The Sheriff's office will be there for all of them. The Menorah lighting on Monday went very well, and it was great to see. Friday is the tree lighting, and I heard many types of vehicles would there lead Santa.
Hope to see you there.
Happy holidays, and remember, we are here when you need us.
Sergeant Steve Langevin
District 20
Town of Palm Beach Shores.
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JUDE MARIE GOUDREAU- DEPUTY CLERK |
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An election update!
The Town will not have an election this March.
The Qualifying Period for the March 2022 election was held from Noon on November 2, 2021, through November 19, 2021. We had three seats up for election this year. I’m happy to announce that our Incumbents Mayor, Alan Fiers, Vice Mayor Scott McCranels, and Commissioner Brian Tyler will fill all three seats. Congratulations to you all!
Thank you,
JUDE MARIE GOUDREAU, DEPUTY CLERK
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TOWN HALL MEETINGS
COMMISSION MEETING
DECEMBER 20, 2021 @ 7:00 P.M.
PLANNING AND ZONING MEETING
DECEMBER 22, 2021 @ 6:30 P.M.
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The POA thanks Alan Welch and crew members Dave and Jonathan of the Department of Public Works for transporting the "tree" from storage to the selected site by the Fire Department, for setting it up and adding lights ! READ MORE
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Many Thanks to the hearty Environmental Committee ("EC") volunteers who came out Wednesday morning to transform Town Hall for the holidays and improve the appearance of Edwards and the Town Park. READ MORE
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THANK YOU PALM BEACH SHORES FIREFIGHTERS |
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COST: $20
LOCATION: FIRE DEPT. ANNEX
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PALM BEACH SHORES FIRE DEPT.
MORALE T-SHIRT Sale
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THE PROCEEDS WILL GO TOWARDS......
the purchasing of uniforms, fire gear, and equipment for the volunteers. Also for the dinners at the Volunteer Association meetings, the holiday dinner, and also anything needed in the living space of the annex.
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