APRIL 2023

In this newsletter:

• Mayor's Ball raises more than $350K for the Homeless Coalition of Palm Beach County.

• Vegetation Amnesty Days in select cities help residents prepare for hurricane season. 

• The Health Care District of Palm Beach County unveils its West Boca Raton Clinic.

• Gregg in the news.

• Did you know?

• What to do with the iguanas on your property.

• Helpful resources for pet owners.



• Tips for water conservation.

• We're sharing pictures of a few events Mayor Weiss attended. Let us know if you'd like him to visit a meeting or event in your neighborhood.

Mayor’s Ball raises more than $350K for Homeless Coalition

On April 1, more than 450 people gathered at the Palm Beach County Convention Center to celebrate and show support for the Homeless Coalition of Palm Beach County.

The Homeless Coalition of Palm Beach County is a leader in funding programs that end homelessness in Palm Beach County. They have helped thousands of people find stable housing.

Through the sale of tickets, sponsorships and donations, the Mayor’s Ball raised more than $350,000.  

You too can make a difference by making a donation at homelesscoalitionpbc.org/donate/.

Cleanup preparation for hurricane season.

Proper removal of landscape debris helps keep storm drains clear and minimizes flooding associated with summer rains and hurricanes.

NOTE: Only the cities below are offering vegetation amnesty.

If you live in unincorporated Palm Beach County, yard waste pickup is limited to 6 cubic feet.

City of Boynton Beach

Vegetation Amnesty Days May 1-5

Residents may place more than 3 cubic yards of vegetation out for pickup.

Fees will be waived.

Visit PrepareBoynton.com for additional hurricane preparation tips and storm updates.

Questions? 561-742-6200.

City of Lake Worth Beach

Vegetation Amnesty Days

During all vegetation collection days in May, residents can place up to 6 cubic yards of yard waste at the curb. Otherwise during the rest of the year, yard waste is limited to 4 cubic feet.



For more information call 561-533-7344 or email [email protected].

City of West Palm Beach

Vegetation Amnesty Days April 24-May 5

For trash/garbage pickup service schedules, please visit the City of West Palm Beach Department of Public Works website.

Residents may place an unlimited amount of vegetative waste curbside for pickup at no additional cost, as the service charge will be waived during this period. Residents are encouraged to participate.

To request other services from the Department of Public Works, please visit the Clean Streets Portal at wpb.org/cleanstreets, email [email protected] or call 561-822-2075 (TTY: 800-955-8771).

Vegetation includes grass clippings, leaves, trees, shrubbery cuttings or trimmings, broken or cut tree limbs and logs, and other vegetation incidental to the care of lawns and gardens. The City of West Palm Beach Department of Public Works will pick up the vegetative waste during residents’ regularly scheduled yard waste pickup days. 

Guidelines for yard/bulk waste disposal:

• Place waste at the curbside no earlier than the day preceding your scheduled day of collection.
• Contain waste to only one pile.
• Place grass cuttings, small trimmings and leaves in plastic bags.
• Cut tree limbs and branches into lengths no longer than 4 feet.
• Cut tree trunks and stumps into sections no longer than 4 feet. and no larger than 12 inches in diameter.
• Do not mix yard waste with any other type of debris.

Vegetation Amnesty Days do not apply to commercial properties or landscape contractors.

Hurricane season begins June 1. All major trimmings should be completed before this date. Once a storm watch or warning has been issued, do not trim vegetation of any kind. 

For the safety of all, once a storm has been named:

• Do not cut down trees or do major yard work.

• Do not begin construction projects that produce debris.

The Health Care District of Palm Beach County unveiled its West Boca Clinic at an open house. Mayor Weiss joined the celebration along with community leaders and first responders.

As a Federally Qualified Health Center, the West Boca Raton Clinic accepts all adult patients with or without insurance regardless of ability to pay.

Services include adult primary medical care, behavioral health, women’s health and referrals for labs, pharmacy services, immunizations including COVID-19 boosters, diagnostics and specialty care.

While appointments can be scheduled by calling 561-642-1000, walk-ins are welcome.

WPTV NewsChannel 5

"State Board of Education to consider expanding Parental Rights in Education." Read here

"Residents complain about air traffic at Lantana Airport following a deadly plane crash." Read and watch it here.

Radios: 95.9 FM, 106.9 FM, 95.3 FM & 106.9 FM

Talk of the Palm Beaches with Host Penny Pompei

"Florida Prosperity Brings Challenges for Leaders." Listen here

Palm Beach Post

"County adopts its own ordinance to keep projections of hate images off of buildings." Read here

Town Crier

"Palm Beach County Library System Introduces First Book Vending Machine, Library To Go." Read here

Palm Beach Daily News

"YMCA unveils $46 million capital campaign for a new complex at Lytal Park." Read here

 April is Financial Literacy Month.



The perfect time to learn more about the financial health of your government. Discover how Palm Beach County was positioned at the end of FY 2022 with the Checks & Balances guide.

This easy-to-follow report shows where your tax money goes: 

https://mypalmbeachclerk.com/pafr.

April is National County Government Month.

Counties own and maintain 44% of our nation's road miles and 38% of our nation's bridges, and are involved in 40% of public transport systems and the operation of 34% of public airports.

Counties operate 91% of all local jails and 37% of counties have veterans representing more than 10% of the adult population

To learn more, visit

 www.NACo.org/CountiesMatter.

We regularly get calls from frustrated homeowners about iguanas munching on flowers and other vegetation and soiling their property. Though iguanas are a nuisance to homeowners the county can't help with their removal.

The Palm Beach County Public Safety Department Animal Care and Control Division does not deal with invasive wildlife. This falls under the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). 

The FWC does not have iguana removal services, but they do have a search engine that lists trappers that are licensed in the state to remove iguanas. 

Visit the FWC's website to find a list of trappers in Palm Beach County. 

FWC also has an online presentation called Iguana Technical Assistance for Homeowners, which can be found here.

For more information click here.

The Palm Beach County Public Safety Department's Animal Care and Control Division wants to share a helpful resource for financial and medical assistance from the Humane Society. Help keep pets with their families and out of shelters by learning about these resources and sharing them with those in need.



Learn what resources are available for pet owners here.

April is Water Conservation Month 

Around 3 billion gallons of water are used every day in Central and Southern Florida by 9 million residents and visitors - for watering lawns, drinking and bathing, growing crops and servicing industries. Future water demands are projected to increase to approximately 4.1 billion gallons per day by 2040. One of the most effective ways to address increasing water needs is through water conservation.



Simple tips to save water both inside and outside your home:

• Make sure your rain sensor device is working properly to prevent your irrigation system from running in the rain. 
• Set an irrigation timer to run only two or three days per week according to your local irrigation ordinance and no irrigation between 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Learn more here.
• Install a “smart” irrigation controller that uses weather data or soil moisture information to decide when and how much irrigation is needed for your yard.
• Fix leaks. Finding and fixing water leaks conserves water, saves money and protects your home from damage.
• Landscape by planting low-maintenance plants using environmentally sustainable practices. Learn more here.

Learn more about the importance of water conservation.

Celebrations, anniversaries, meeting with agencies, advocating for health causes, recognizing community leaders, joining neighbors' festivities and going to neighborhood meetings, Mayor Weiss spends a lot of time in the community.

“As an elected official, I want to be part of the community I represent," said Mayor Weiss. "I want to understand the issues in my district and that’s why I spend many evenings going out to events to listen and learn.”



If you’d like to invite Mayor Weiss to your event, let us know. 

CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION & VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION MONTH

The Florida Guardian ad Litem Office in Palm Beach County oversees a volunteer base of 360 people, and advocates for more than 1,175 abused, abandoned and neglected children. Mayor Weiss met with staff and volunteers of Guardian ad Litem and Speak Up for Kids Palm Beach County to present them with a proclamation declaring “April 2023 as Child Abuse Prevention and Volunteer Appreciation Month.”

Studies show that children with a Guardian ad Litem volunteer are more likely to be adopted, half as likely to re-enter foster care, less likely to spend time in long-term foster care and more likely to perform well in school.

Thank you to all volunteers, including pro bono attorneys, who provide invaluable services to thousands of vulnerable children in our community!

BUS OPERATOR APPRECIATION DAY

On Tuesday, April 11, Mayor Weiss was at the West Palm Beach Intermodal Transit Center to greet and talk with bus operators as part of Palm Tran’s Bus Operator Appreciation Day. The event is an annual tradition to thank bus operators for their service.

Mayor Weiss was joined by Commissioner Michael A. Barnett, County Administrator Verdenia C. Baker and Asstistant County Administrator Todd J. Bonlarron.

911 TELECOMMUNICATORS

On April 6, Mayor Weiss presented the Palm Beach County Public Safety Department with a proclamation declaring April 9-15, 2023, as Palm Beach County Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.

The 911 public safety telecommunicators in Palm Beach County answer over one million 911 calls a year requesting emergency services for life-threatening and public safety incidents. These professionals efficiently coordinate emergency services to ensure the health and safety of our residents, visitors, travelers and fellow first responders in our communities, 24-hours a day, seven days a week.

PALM BEACH COUNTY NORTH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

On Wednesday, April 5, Mayor Weiss was invited to talk to the Palm Beach County North Chamber of Commerce Executive Trustee Council. He spoke about the state of the county and his policy priorities, took questions from the audience and chatted with local business leaders.

Photo from l to r: Kate Volman, Floyd Consulting; Mayor Gregg Weiss; Katie Newitt, A-1 Moving and Storage; Roger Amidon, Palm Beach Marriott® Singer Island Beach Resort and Spa; Brad Davis, Kimley-Horn.

DROWNING PREVENTION COALITION

At the Board of County Commissioners meeting on April 4, Mayor Weiss presented a proclamation declaring April 2023 as Drowning Prevention Awareness Month in Palm Beach County.

Accidental drowning is one of the leading causes of death for children under the age of 5 in South Florida. Through community action, organizational partnerships and promoting the importance of water safety and swimming lessons via education, Palm Beach County can achieve the goal of zero preventable drownings.

SECOND CHANCE MONTH

At the Board of County Commissioners meeting on April 4, Mayor Weiss presented a proclamation declaring April 2023 as Second Chance Month in Palm Beach County.



Thousands of people return from incarceration to Palm Beach County each year, and these men, women and youth benefit by reuniting with families, obtaining employment, finding stable housing and having access to resources.

THE HISPANIC VOTE

On Thursday, March 30, The Hispanic Vote invited Mayor Weiss to speak at their monthly meeting about local issues concerning the community.

Founder and Board Chair Jorge C. Garrido presented the Mayor with a certificate of recognition for his commitment to the Hispanic community.

STATE OF THE COUNTY

On Tuesday, March 28, the Florida Hispanic American Chamber of Commerce and HISPAC invited Mayor Weiss to give a State of the County presentation.

Mayor Weiss talked about what's going on in the county and what's ahead. He took questions and had a conversation with individuals about a variety of issues.

SPANISH RADIO STATIONS

On March 22, Radio Fiesta 1380 AM/96.9 FM Director Helman Ruiz and Nancy Corcuera, Abigail Gianaris and Alex Calderon with Radio La Ley 99.5 FM, invited Mayor Weiss to the studio to talk to listeners about different county issues and how to reach out in case of need.

Mayor Weiss had fun using some of the Spanish words he learned growing up in Los Angeles. Thank you to Glades Media Company Chief Operating Officer Brian Johnson for his investment in the local Hispanic communities.

PALM BEACH YOUTH ACADEMY

On March 21, Rite of Passage held the Grand Opening of the Palm Beach Youth Academy, a residential commitment program for adjudicated youth within the juvenile justice system.

Mayor Weiss joined the celebration along with the Palm Beach County Public Safety Department’s Youth Reentry Program staff and juvenile justice stakeholders.

HIGH RIDGE "CULTURE SUNDAY"

On Sunday, March 19, High Ridge “Culture Sunday” hosted a roundtable panel discussion about the rise of antisemitic incidents in the community.



State Attorney Dave Aronberg was the moderator. Joining the panel were Mayor Weiss, Palm Beach Synagogue Rabbi Moshe E. Scheiner, President of the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County Michael Hoffman and Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office Law Enforcement Officer Colonel Robert L. Allen.

"LIBRARY TO GO"

The Palm Beach County Library System presented "Library To Go," a vending machine where library users can check out books while they are at the Robert Weisman Governmental Center lobby in West Palm Beach. This is another way the Library is enriching lives by helping people connect with books outside the library.



Mayor Weiss along with other commissioners unveiled the machine and used their library cards to check out a book ... it was that easy and fun! 

FARMWORKER AWARENESS WEEK

At the Board of County Commissioners meeting on March 14, Mayor Weiss presented a proclamation declaring March 25-31, 2023 as National Farmworker Awareness Week in Palm Beach County.



Farmworkers perform essential but often underappreciated duties in potentially dangerous workplaces that include heavy machinery operation, application of crop protection products and physically demanding outdoor environmental conditions.

National Farmworker Awareness Week is an opportunity to affect positive change, stand in solidarity with the people who feed our nation, bring attention to the multiple challenges farmworkers face and recognize the important contributions they make to our daily lives.

FLOOD AWARENESS WEEK

At the Board of County Commissioners meeting on March 14, Mayor Weiss presented a proclamation declaring March 6-10, 2023 as Flood Awareness Week in Palm Beach County.



Public education and awareness of potential weather hazards and methods of protection are critical to the health, safety and welfare of residents. The Florida Floodplain Managers Association has declared the week of March 6-10, 2023, as Flood Awareness Week to promote awareness and increase knowledge of flood risk, the availability of flood insurance, flood protection methods and how to prepare for emergencies.

Visit Mayor Weiss' Facebook page for more photos and stories.

Make sure to follow him!

GREGG K. WEISS

Mayor

www.pbcgov.com/D2