December 21, 2021

Orange Bowl Field Phase II Groundbreaking

The groundbreaking ceremony to kick off the Phase II renovation of Orange Bowl Field at Glades Pioneer Park in Belle Glade was held on Tuesday, December 14th.

Phase I was completed in December 2019 and included a synthetic turf field and maintenance, an electronic scoreboard, an entry monument, fencing, walkways, and signage. Phase II includes construction of a neighborhood center and restroom that will host a variety of educational and civic uses.

The much-needed renovation of Glades Pioneer Park furthers the County's commitment to youth enrichment and sports and athletic programming and facilities. The Orange Bowl Committee selected Glades Pioneer Park as a recipient of a $1.5 million match grant for the design, permitting, and construction of the Orange Bowl Field and other related amenities.

I want to thank County Administrator Verdenia Baker, Assistant County Administrator Dorritt Miller, PBC Parks and Recreation Director Eric Call, Sports Commission Executive Director George Linley, Belle Glade Mayor Steve Wilson, Pahokee Vice Mayor Regina Bohlen, Belle Glade City Manager Robert Rease, and Orange Bowl Committee Members Sean Pittman, Eric Poms, and Jack Seiler, and everyone else who attended or was involved in this project, for their fantastic efforts to bring this field and park facilities to the Glades.

Wellington Branch Library Rededication Ceremony

On Saturday, December 18th, I attended the rededication ceremony of the Wellington Branch Library. Originally built in 1997, the branch reopened last month after closing in December 2020 for a $4.2 million upgrade, which included air conditioning and lighting upgrades, new flooring, and added amenities such as a "Creation Station."

At my request, the Board of County Commissioners recently approved naming conference room #113 at the branch the "Mayor Tom and Regis Wenham Conference Room and children's meeting room #116 the "Mayor Kathy Foster Children's Activities Room."

It was my honor to be joined at this special ceremony by these dedicated community leaders and founders of the Village of Wellington.

Commissioner McKinlay pictured with Kathy Foster and Tom and Regis Wenham.

Ribbon cutting with Kathy Foster, Tom and Regis Wenham, Wellington Mayor Anne Gerwig and Village Council members John McGovern, Michael Napoleone, Michael Drahos, and Tanya Siskind; PBC Library Director Doug Crane, Assistant County Administrator Dorritt Miller, and Libary Advisory Board Member Gloria Kelly.

NACo Student Art Competition

I had a wonderful time at the National Association of Counties Student Art Competition Ceremony, held at the Palm Beach County School District, on December 15th. Students across the country participated in this inaugural competition, submitting artwork under the theme "I Love My County Because..." Through this art, which is being displayed in NACo's 2022 calendar, students were able to learn more about county responsibilities and leadership by depicting an aspect of what counties accomplish in their community. In this country-wide competition, two winners and two honorable mentions were from Palm Beach County!

I want to congratulate winners Ravia Facey, Grade 9, Palm Beach Lakes High School, and Courtney Jones, Grade 7, Palm Springs Middle School, and honorable mentions Addaniey Geffrard, Grade 9, Palm Beach Lakes High School, and Katherine Rodriguez, Grade 7, Palm Springs Middle School.

Commissioner McKinlay with Palm Springs Middle School Principal Pamela McDonnough, School Board Member Alex Ayala, and honorable mention Katherinne Rodriguez.

Commissioner McKinlay, with Palm Springs Middle School Principal Pamela McDonnough and School Board Member Alex Ayala, holding winner Courtney Jones' artwork as depicted in the 2022 NACo calendar for the month of September.

Wellington Holiday Parade

The 37th Annual Wellington Holiday Parade was held on Sunday, December 12th. This wonderful annual event is an opportunity for the central Palm Beach County community to come together to celebrate the holiday season. I loved seeing the many schools and students in our area that participated!

Housing Rehabilitation Assistance

Palm Beach County’s Department of Housing and Economic Development (HED) has announced the availability of American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) Owner Occupied Housing Rehabilitation assistance funds for Fiscal Year 2021-2022.

Funding will assist income eligible homeowners, residing in the unincorporated area of Palm Beach County, with substantial rehabilitation to correct code violations or items that will soon become a code violation. Properties MUST be located within a federally designated Qualified Census Tract (QCT). Properties located outside of a QCT, may not be eligible to apply for assistance. NOTE: Applicant must provide a statement on how their household was financially impacted by COVID. PROPERTY’S ASSESSED VALUE CANNOT EXCEED $352,371.

ARPA Owner Occupied Housing Rehabilitation Program applications will be available online by visiting the website at https://pbcgov.com/HED beginning Monday, January 24, 2021 at 8:00am – Monday, February 28, 2022 at 11:59pm (or until 90 applications have been submitted). Applications will be processed on a first submitted, first qualified, first served basis, subject to funding availability. NOTE: Additional program information and required documents needed for application submittal are available on the website at pbcgov.com/HED.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: ALL applicants are required to attend a Virtual Mandatory Orientation prior to application submittal. Interested parties may register at https://survey.pbcgov.com/s3/HED-Owner-Occupied-Housing-Rehabilitation beginning Monday, December 13, 2021. NOTE: Applications will not be reviewed if proof of orientation attendance is not provided.

For additional information, please contact:

Palm Beach County Department of Housing and Economic Development (HED)

Mortgage and Housing Investments Division

Telephone: (561) 233-3600

Email: HEDverify@pbcgov.org

Grocery Card Program

The Palm Beach County Community Services Department (CSD) has launched a new Grocery Card Program for eligible Palm Beach County residents. The department is issuing $400 pre-loaded grocery cards to be used for food purchases within the county. The program will end when the funding source has been depleted.

To qualify, at least one or more individuals within a household must meet the following criteria:

· Qualifies for unemployment or experienced a reduction of household income, or incurred significant costs, or experienced other financial hardships due to COVID-19; and,

· Has not received a food card in the past from Palm Beach County Community Services Department; and,

· Has a household income at or below 200% Federal Poverty Guideline (FPG).

All participants must be able to provide documentation to prove they were impacted financially by the COVID-19 crisis. Applications must be submitted online; this program is a limited-time offer and is subject to funding availability.

For a full list of eligibility requirements and to apply, visit www.FoodAssistancePBC.org.

For additional information, please contact the CSD’s Contact Center at 561-355-4700.