NEWS UPDATE FROM TOWN HALL
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As I sit here at the keyboard, a Loretta Lynn song keeps running through my mind. The words go like this:
"They say to get her hair done Liz flies all the way to France
Jackie's seen in a discotheque doin a brain new dance
The White House social season should be glittering and gay
But here in Topeka the rain is a fallen,
the faucet's a drippin and the kids are a bawlin,
one is a toddlin and one is a crawling and one's on the way."
You are no doubt wondering what this silly song has to do with anything. As I was leaving Townhall, I bump into two ladies, admiring the flower planters yesterday. They said they lived in West Palm and were spending a weeks vacation in Town and enjoying its beautiful greenery and great beaches. As they departed, they said, you are so fortunate to live in this beautiful Town. As I drove home, this song was on the radio, and I thought, we always tend to focus on the problems of the moment, too seldom on the beauty around us. We are often too consumed by the issues of the moment to truly enjoy how unique our Town is and how fortunate we all are to live here.
Turning to business: When the calendar flipped over to April, we were at the midway point in the fiscal year; accordingly, one of the major items on the April Commission meeting agenda was the mid-year financial review and full-year budget projection.
This is the review summary:
Revenue is strong, especially building permit fees which got a big boost with the projects on the inlet. Note that permit fees can only be used for building department costs. Revenue is projected to exceed the budget by $227,000. Expenditures are currently on track. There are some projected overruns in Public Works and Community Center Departments for unanticipated repairs and higher costs. The budgeted contingency has covered those. A couple of capital projects will be postponed, amounting to approximately $127,000. Those projects were a road assessment & survey and for fire equipment to administer advanced life support. Overall, we expect to end the year with a favorable budget variance of $360,000. Removing the outliers of $165,000 over in permits and postponing capital of $127,000, the Town will still have an overall favorable operating budget variance of $68,000.
Due to material shortages, our two major infrastructure projects are at a standstill.
The last phase of the undergrounding project is pulling AT&T fiber in the south half of Town, Tacoma Lane and south. All the conduit and splice boxes are installed, and the backbone fiber run is completed to Claremont lane. (This is the main distribution run from the distribution box at the south end of the Town parking lot down the parkway to Inlet Way. Lines branch off this run to service the east-west streets.) But AT&T has run out of fiber on all their projects and cannot say with certainty when they will receive a new supply. So, we don't know when this phase will be completed. We will keep you posted. On a more positive note, when this phase is completed, we will turn to the task of removing the poles.
The Lake Drive/Inlet Way water main replacement project is also delayed pending arrival of one component called "saddles." These are brass castings that are used to support the pipes. It is unknown when these will arrive. The contractor and the engineering firm are working to find and get approval for saddles made of substitute material. Again, we will keep you all posted as we move forward.
The following items of business were covered at the April Commission meeting:
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The midyear budget review and associated budget resolution adjusting intra-budget expense authorizations, BUT NOT INCREASING THE OVERALL BUDGET, was approved by a 5-0 vote. The resolution also adjusted capitalized asset accounting to reflect the newly adjusted capitalization value.
- A variance allowing the finished floor elevation of an addition to an older house located outside of the flood zone to match the existing house floor elevation was approved. This is the third such variance that has been granted. Therefore, a code modification addressing this issue is in process.
- Ordinance No O-2-22 was passed on a 5-0 vote. This ordinance mandates a review of building project permit fees after project completion to ensure that the correct amount of permit fees were paid. It authorizes fee adjustments before a Certification of Occupancy (CO) is issued. Overpayment will be refunded, and underpayment will be collected before the CO is issued.
- Ordinance No O-3-22 was passed on a 5-0 vote. This ordinance states that in houses located OUTSIDE the flood zone, the elevation of the floor of a new addition, with certain conditions, can match the elevation of the floors of the existing house.
In the last several Workshops, the Commission has discussed extensively certain encroachments on Town property at the western end of the Inlet Park walkway. Some of these encroachments are relatively minor and easily dealt with. One encroachment at the end of the walkway is extensive, and addressing the issue is complex, as the situation has existed at least since 1956. This topic will be discussed again at the May workshop. If you are interested in more detail on the topic, please contact us.
As April comes to an end, our Northern residents will begin their migration. It has been a good year, with all the traditional events returning and well attended. For those heading north enjoy your summer.
For those of us who live here year round, we look forward to the rainy season with those thunderstorms rolling in during the late afternoon, the hot days and hurricane season. I know that sounds grim, but I think most of us have grown to appreciate Florida summer weather. I know I have – as long as the AC works.
And before signing off, I will wish our Muslim friends and residents a very happy Ed al Fitr holiday. (This is the celebration that come with the end of Ramadan, the Month of Fasting.)
Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers.
To those departing bon voyage. And that's all, folks.
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TREVOR STEEDMAN
PBS FIRE CHIEF
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OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT:
The Palm Beach Shores Office of Emergency Management continues to monitor the situation and will 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.
Trying to Reason with Hurricane Season: We’re weeks away from the official beginning of the 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season. As supply chain challenges persist and the costs of goods and services are rising, it’s good to get started on making plans and preparations.
FIRE DEPARTMENT:
Easter Egg Hunt: Thank you to all those who attended and supported the Town’s Easter Egg Hunt! The event was very well attended. Thank you to the many individuals, community organizations, Town Departments, allied agencies, and our business community that made the event a huge success!
Replacement Fire Engine: The PBSFD will announce the date and invite the community to attend a traditional “Housing Ceremony” once we take delivery of the new Fire Engine. The Engine is currently at the manufacturing plant in Ocala, getting tools and equipment mounted and going through inspection processes.
OCEAN RESCUE:
Beach Safety: Our Lifeguards want to remind everyone of the dangers 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. “It’s best to keep your feet in the sand until the lifeguard is in the stand.”
Beach Wheelchair: The Beach Wheelchair is a wonderful mobility asset that helps more people enjoy our beautiful beach. Please see the Lifeguard to sign out the beach wheelchair during guarded beach hours (10am – 5pm.)
People & Pets:
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STEVE LANGEVIN - SGT. - DISTRICT #20 |
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The Easter Egg Hunt was the last official town event for this season. THANK YOU to all who volunteered to help hide the eggs and cook the food. The Sailfish Marina donated the food, and the Eggs were donated by Sheriff Bradshaw. The town paid for the bounce houses and new grill, so as usual it was a great coalition of Palm Beach Shores folks. All five of the newly created unit of the Therapy K9 team were on hand, and it was great to see the kids petting and interacting with the dogs.
A special thank you to Elizabeth Kuechenmeister for handling these events, and another huge thank you to Joan Mills. Joan retired as the long-serving Easter Bunny but donated the suit to us for those brave enough to wear it! I can’t fit into that suit, so I’ll stick to the Santa suit.
One event that has gone on for many years is the Palm Beach County States Attorney celebration of Victims Rights Week on Saturday, April 30th. State Attorney David Aronberg will be on the first floor of PBS Community Center to kick off the walk. He and many of his staff members and their dogs and the victims of some terrible crimes will walk the parkway from the Community Center back around to Ocean Avenue and back to the Community Center. We will have plenty of deputies on hand and stay mainly on the Parkway and Inlet walkway.
Many have heard of the terrible boat incident that occurred at the mouth of the Intracoastal right after the Easter Egg Hunt. Nine (9) kids and four (4)adults were aboard a boat that began to sink. A good Samaritan brought his boat over to the sinking one and attempted to help those in the water. Unfortunately, another boat struck the good Samaritan, and he perished. All emergencies service responded, and the children were brought to the Sailfish Marina docks, where we placed them in a meeting room. The Therapy dogs had just left and were all recalled to the marina, and all five (5) dogs interacted well with the children and first responders. The children were kept comfortable while awaiting their statements to be taken. Leftover ice cream was brought to them along with some stuffed animals we had on hand that was donated to us by the “Ryan’s cases for smiles organization.”
On a less somber but important note, below is part of the Florida State statute governing bicycles driving on the roadway. Please give the pedestrians a wide berth, and if you have a bell or some audible device while on the parkway, please let the folks know that you’re coming up behind them. Today, many people are using Bluetooth devices or just enjoying their time on the walkways in silence and do not notice you behind them.
FSS in part; A person propelling a bicycle upon and along a sidewalk, or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk, shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give an audible signal before overtaking and passing such pedestrian.
Also, in the same vein, while folks are walking, if you could keep a bit to the sidewalk, it would help traffic along. We have two (2) folks walking abreast, then three (3) and sometimes four abreast in the road. At times it looks like a small demonstration is walking down ocean Avenue!
As usual, thanks for your time and support. Please know we are here any time you need us.
Sergeant Steve Langevin
Commander, District 20 Town of Palm Beach Shores.
No, I don’t have a boat it’s just a rank
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TOWN HALL MEETINGS - 2022
PLANNING AND ZONING MEETING
MAY 25, 2022 @ 6:30 P.M.
DEVELOPMENT REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING
MAY 4, 2022 @ 2:00 P.M
COMMISSION MEETING WORKSHOP
MAY 9, 2022 @ 7:OO P.M.
COMMISSION MEETING
MAY 23, 2022 @ 7:00 P.M.
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Environmental Committee Hosts
Beach Clean UP on April 23
It was a windy morning with a sudden rain spurt which fortunately did not last.
Despite the less than perfect weather, the faithful came out for the Biannual Beach Clean Up, grabbed a bucket, a "reacher", some washable /reusable bags and combed the sands and the dunes looking for trash. ( Note: It is permissible to walk on the dunes only on Eco Clean Up Days like this morning.) The good news is that the intrepid crew found the beach to be in good shape - but alas still discovered far too many pieces of plastic and styrofoam.
Many thanks to Myra Koutzen and Kathleen McGahran for -- once again- organizing this outing; thanks to my spouse for helping to set up early this morning; and most of all ......many, many thanks to all who braved the chill winds to help.
Grace Sterrett, EC Chair
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April was a busy month for the Property Owners association with the Spring Fling, Cruising the Shores and the inaugural POA/Seasiders Golf Outing. Thank You to all of the POA volunteers and Board members who helped make both of these events successful and fun. Paraphrasing Billy Chrystal, You know who You are and you are marvelous.
The Sunfest Cruise has sold out. You should have been notified by email that you will be on board Sunday, May 1st at 7:30 PM at the Sailfish Marina. Next year, we will look at options to accommodate more members.
For those POA members who are in town year-round, the second annual Summer Survival Party will be held either June 25th or June 26th. Please watch for more details on our website and/or the Town Bulletin Boards.
A reminder as “the season” nears a close, please remember to stay involved with your town by actively participating with the Mayor and Commissioners in the Commission Meetings and the Commission Workshops. This is the best way to stay informed and current on proposals, amendments, the budget, zoning, construction projects, current issues & events, etc. You may attend in person or online.
Meetings start at 7 PM and are scheduled as follows:
May 9th, May 23rd, June 13th, June 27th, July 11th, July 25th, August 8th, August 22nd, September 12th, September 26th.
The agenda is published online on the Town’s website, https://www.palmbeachshoresfl.us/, the Friday before the scheduled meeting. The website will also give you instructions on how to participate online.
Lastly, many thanks to Public Works; Alan, Jonathan and Rudy for their help this “season”.
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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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