News Update from Town Hall - July 30, 2021
ALAN FIERS- MAYOR
WABASH RIVER IN INDIANA
Did you ever sit at the keyboard when a paper or report was due and have a total mental block, unable to find the words to get started? Well, that is me staring at my keyboard. I thought about those good ol’ Lazy Hazy carefree days of Summer, the last few carefree weeks before football practice began. Not the right way to start. I thought about the resurgence of Covid-19, too depressing. I thought about freshly mown hay along the Wabash River - no- one knows where that is (except Ron Shoup of Sandal Lane, who owns a farm near the river).  I tried to think of some cute jingle, and none came to mind. Then the thought of doing a backflip off of a high dive came to mind: after thinking about it, you say to yourself, what the hell, here goes, and you jump. 

So here goes:
For mid-summer, the pace of events has been busy in Town Hall. First and foremost, it is budget season for the Town.  The Commission is in the process of putting together the FY22 Budget. The Revenue projection for the next year is up 2.4%, despite another decline in the value assessment of the oceanfront time-share buildings. When the Covid-19 related American Rescue Plan Funds of $262,000 are included in the calculation, the increase is 7%. Based on this revenue projection, the Commission held the tax milage rate a 6.3500% for the operating Budget and 0.4920 for the debt service assessment. The next budget workshop will be held on 9 August.  At this session, the individual department expense budget will be review in detail.  We will provide more details after the Budget is finalized. The first formal overall budget hearing was set for 13 September, and the final Budget hearing was set for 30 September.

As the first item of non-budget-related business at the July Commission meeting, our State Senator Bobby Powell provided a legislative update. Click this link for a Summary of the Senator’s remarks. Major Ron Matino, Commander of PBSO North Region, also attended the meeting and made a few comments.

Following Senator Powell and Major Matino, the following items were discussed and/or voted on:
  • The Second Addendum to the Law Enforcement Agreement between the Town and Sheriff Ric L. Bradshaw was approved; this extends the Town contract with the PBSO for another year until September 39, 2022. The service rendered remain the same, and there was no increase in cost.
  • A resolution authorizing parking of up to four (4) Slow Moving Vehicles (SMV), aka Golf Carts, on the concrete pad at the end of the Inlet service road was approved by a 5-0 vote. Such parking will be permitted from sunrise to sunset. See Sgt Langerin’s report for details of this resolution. 
  • An ordinance changing the dates to qualify as a candidate for Town elections was passed on first reading by a 5 – 0 vote. The new dates will be from the first Tuesday in November to the close of business on the third Friday. This change was mandated by the County Supervisor of Elections, and was necessitated by the need for more lead time to print and distribute ballots to those who required or elect to vote by mail. 
  •  An ordinance setting the height gates and gate posts at six (6) feet was passed by a 5-0 vote. The old code set gate heights based on the height of the fence to which it was attached. The height also varied depending on the zoning district and was silent concerning gates and posts attached to hedges.
  • An ordinance addressing the placement of Emergency generators and air conditioning equipment was passed on second reading by a 5-0 vote. This ordinance mandates that referenced equipment must be located to the rear of the midpoint of the primary structure (the house or building) and the rear lot line. Electrical Generators must be five feet from the property lot line and must meet specific noise requirements and be screened to mitigate noise. The ordinance also specifies that the generator can be exercised Monday through Saturday, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, and that the exercise duration is limited to 30 minutes. 

At the July workshop, it was agreed that the BEACH CABANA contract should be renewed and expanded to allow additional cabanas during times of peak use. (The opinion on this latter point was not unanimous.)  A contract is to be prepared and voted on at either the August or September Commission meeting. 

A couple of other items of importance:
  • The AT&T all fiber internet system is up and running in the north half of Town (this includes both sides of Edwards.) AT&T WILL NOT AUTOMATICALLY SWITCH OVER CUSTOMERS TO THE NEW SERVICE. IF YOU ARE AN AT&T CUSTOMER, YOU HAVE TO CALL 888-676-1736 AND ORDER THE NEW SYSTEM. One of the first folks to sign up for the new service reported that the process was easy and not intrusive, and the price of the service was slightly lower than the old service. Remember, until ALL AT&T customers switch to the new service, by FCC regulation, the AT&T overhead lines cannot be taken down.
  • Comcast is coming around the final turn! All that remains to be connected is Inlet Way, both sides and part of Linda Lane. We are pushing them hard to get this competed and the Comcast lines taken down. (Some lines have been removed in the North half of Town.
  • The replacement of the water mains on Lake Drive and Inlet Way will begin in mid-September. The project will last for 180 days, with heavy construction and most restoration to be completed in 150days. The new main will be 12” in diameter. (The old line is 6.”) We will be sending out much more detail on the project towards the end of August.

And that is a wrap. Call us if you have questions or comments.
 




TREVOR STEEDMAN - FIRE CHIEF
The Delta Variant is the latest hot topic in the world of COVID.  Palm Beach County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) remains at Level III Activation (Enhanced Monitoring) as they continue to evaluate the threat of this emerging strain. Earlier this week, CDC announced its recommendation that people should wear masks in indoor public settings, regardless of vaccination status. The CDC does not issue mandates as those directives fall under the authority of State and Local governments.  Nevertheless, many State and Local governments closely follow the guidance provided by the CDC as part of their decision-making processes. This begs the question about the potential return to mask mandates, re-imposition of restrictions, and lockdowns. Some municipalities and County governments in South Florida have already returned to mask requirements indoors, including students returning to in-person learning in schools. Other governing officials have been very hesitant to impose restrictions and mandates due to a lack of credible information and data on the Delta variant.

Additionally, conversations about the possible need for booster shots have been circulating on a variety of platforms.  Unfortunately, confidence in scientific data and official health organizations has been eroded by hyperbolic media reports, partisan posturing, and politicization of the COVID pandemic and Delta variant. In the realm of Emergency Management, we must view things through the lens of public protection, not politics. To that end, empirical data is our best option to combat new and existing health threats. Those data points are currently in short supply. So, what does all of this mean for the Palm Beach Shores Community?... The Town remains vigilant in acquiring valid and timely information from our partners in public health and other municipalities. As information is received, it will be disseminated to our community and utilized to make safe and logical decisions on how we proceed. Our citizens are encouraged to continue to make individual choices that they deem appropriate for their personal health and well-being. We anticipate that more information will soon be forthcoming from the County as to masks, vaccines, testing, and the rates and severity of cases in our area. Based on the significant rise in cases, the Town of PBS will be meeting first thing Monday morning to discuss guidelines for Town facility operations going forward. PBS Office of Emergency Management will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they are received.  

Community Risk Reduction:
The Community Emergency Supply Program
  • The storage pod is stocked with basic food and water needs for distribution to our residents during the initial, critical days following a hurricane. Town departments have assessed and updated their essential hurricane supplies, equipment, and response plans.
Hurricane / Disaster Preparedness
  • The 2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season is here. 
  • For your hurricane planning purposes, it is important to know that the County announced that PBC shelters will still operate at ½ capacity, citing COVID-19 prevention concerns. Also, some pet-friendly shelters require pre-registration. Helpful hurricane preparation links are listed below:
or

An extensive, one-page preparation checklist can be found at: https://discover.pbcgov.org/publicsafety/dem/Publications/hurricane_supply_checklist.pdf
As always, preparation and self-sufficiency are the best tools in your hurricane planning toolbox. 

Here are of few of the key items to remember ahead of the storm:

  • One gallon of water per person per day for at least 5 days, for drinking and sanitation
  • Make sure prescription medications have been refilled if necessary.
  • Trim trees and Secure loose objects around the house
  • Re-stock personal care and cleaning items
 
As always, please reach out with questions or if we can be of any assistance. tsteedman@pbsfire.org or (561) 296-3380 
STEVE LANGEVIN - SGT. - DISTRICT #20
The Commission passed resolution R-9-21, authorizing up to 4 Low-speed vehicles to park on what is called the “Helicopter pad” on the southernmost end of the Ocean Avenue access road.
 
We are asking all residents and vehicle drivers to help us enforce these new rules.
 
Florida law defines low-speed vehicles by state statute. They must be registered and insured with the Tag (license plate) visible. The resolution also calls for a valid beach sticker to MUST be affixed to the vehicle.
 
You must possess a valid driver’s license to operate one. If you’re not old enough to drive a car, you’re not old enough to drive a low-speed vehicle. Florida state law regarding children in car seats MUST also be followed.
 
The road leading to the pad is a FIRE LANE, and tickets will be issued if it is blocked. The resolution also calls for the hours available to them to be; sunrise to sunset, and the driver MUST be in the vehicle at ALL times and can never be unattended.
  
The vehicles are prohibited from being driven along the Parkway or the Inlet walkway. All laws regarding operating a regular vehicle apply to these vehicles. You cannot be consuming alcohol or be under the influence; DUI laws apply.
 
Scooters, motorcycles, etc., cannot be driven or parked in the area.
 
The area approved can be a busy one with construction vehicles and or fire trucks. This area would be a staging area for the Marriott and or 106 Inlet Way in an emergency.
 
I know most of our folks will abide by the restrictions, but I have concerns about others and the closeness to the intercostal water itself, so please be careful.
Click on the links below for a list of rules relative to this new approval.
 


  •  FLORIDA DEPT OF HIGHWAY SAFETY AND MOTOR VEHICLE GUIDE TO OWNING LOW SPEED VEHICLES
  • LINK



As always we are here for you.

Sgt. Steve Langevin
slangevin@pbspolice.org
EVYONNE BROWNING - TOWN CLERK
Let's all welcome Jude Goudreau, who joined our administrative team as the Building Clerk and Deputy Town Clerk. Jude will be the person who will assist you with anything building department-related (i.e., building permits, DRC, and Planning and Zoning Meeting submittals and processes). She also processes all of the account's payables each week. When you get a chance, please stop in, introduce yourself and welcome her to the Town!
 
BEACH PARKING STICKERS RENEWALS BEGAN JUNE 29TH FOR RESIDENTS!

As the process each year, we have been in full swing with the beach parking pass renewals! Please be sure to bring a photo ID as well as your tag numbers and registrations.

Note: If you are a renter, you must rent on a yearly basis, and you need to bring a copy of your one-year lease. 

PLEASE BE SURE YOUR STICKER IS PLACED ON YOUR CAR’S RIGHT REAR BUMPER, AS THIS IS WHERE THE DEPUTIES WILL LOOK TO SEE IF YOU ARE REGISTERED. IF YOUR DECAL IS NOT THERE, THEY WILL ISSUE YOU A TICKET. **THE GUEST PASS NEEDS TO BE PLACED INSIDE THE BACK WINDOW SO IT CAN ALSO BE SEEN BY THE DEPUTIES.

At the June Commission Meeting, the Commission voted to increase the non-resident beach pass fee to $350! Apparently, the Town's beach is highly sought after by non-residents, as we have already sold 29 of the allotted 40 non-resident beach passes at the new annual fee.



BUILDING PERMITS
Remember, the Building Department is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Building permits will be accepted from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm only. The building department will close for lunch between 12:30 pm and 1:00 pm each day. Please make sure that you have everything you need before you come to Town Hall. If you are not sure if your submittal is complete, please speak with Jude ahead of time, and she can walk you through the requirements on all submittals. 

MISCELLANEOUS
Our notary services are still available, but only to Town residents.  IF YOUR DOCUMENT REQUIRES WITNESSES, TOWN HALL CANNOT ASSIST YOU AS WITNESSES, so please bring your witnesses (only two people in the lobby at one time). AS A NOTE: THE LOCAL BANKS CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THIS SERVICE.

TAKE CARE AND BE SAFE.

Wendy, Evyonne, Sandi, and Jude!
ALAN WELCH - DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS