Within days following the disaster in Surfside, Palm Beach County officials formed a working group consisting of the League of Cities, county and municipal building officials, fire marshals, and engineers to evaluate reinspection options for tall buildings including timelines, building height and location.
At the July board meeting, the Board of County Commissioners directed staff to continue to evaluate the safety of certain building types in the unincorporated areas of Palm Beach County. They also requested staff to draft a letter to condominium boards encouraging them to assess the structural integrity of their buildings.
The county has no current reinspection requirement; however, its code enforcement officials respond to complaints and alerts of potential unsafe building conditions when brought to their attention.
As the working group continues to meet, we anticipate an update of these deliberations next month.
Additionally, state legislators are planning on introducing legislation that will address various regulations concerning reinspections, condo associations and more.
I would like to thank county fire rescue personnel and social workers who are currently providing assistance and aid in the Surfside community. We are extremely grateful to all the professionals and volunteers who play such a critical role in disasters, such as the one in Surfside.
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Emergency volunteers needed |
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When disasters hit, volunteers play an essential role especially in conjunction with the county’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Participants receive training in fire safety, light search and rescue, and disaster medical operations. With this training, CERT members give critical support to first responders, provide immediate assistance to victims and organize volunteers at a disaster site.
As we have seen in Surfside, disaster can strike anywhere and at any time. Basic safety and disaster skills can mean the difference between life and death. For more information on how to volunteer to become part of a CERT team, please call 561-712-6400.
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Resolution against anti-Semitism |
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I was proud to have been joined by my fellow commissioners in support of a resolution recognizing the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s Working Definition of Anti-Semitism. The resolution, originally requested by the American Jewish Committee Palm Beach leadership, provides a working definition that will be used as an educational tool to sensitize individuals, policymakers and institutions to various forms of anti-Semitism in our community.
There is no place for any form of hatred in our public institutions. This resolution makes it clear that anti-Semitism within our community will be treated no differently.
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New law for bicyclists and motorists |
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As vice chairman of the Transportation Planning Agency (TPA), I am pleased to announce new state laws for bicyclists and motorists became effective on
July 1 with the passage of Senate Bill 950.
Highlights include:
- Motorists are allowed to safely pass cyclists in no-passing zones.
- Bicyclists must ride single file in narrow bike lanes and no more than two abreast in wider lanes.
- Cyclists are required to stop at stop signs.
- Motor vehicles must allow groups of 10 cyclists to travel through an intersection together.
- New test questions related to bicycle and pedestrian safety are included on the Florida driver's license test.
- The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles is being mandated to provide a public awareness campaign informing motorists about the required safety precautions.
These new laws are the result of a successful partnership between the TPA and our state legislative partners.
The TPA's Board of Directors has committed itself to "Vision Zero" that strives to eliminate the fatalities on our roadways. With increased awareness of these rules, the board hopes to reverse the continuing increase in pedestrian and bicycle fatalities on our county roadways.
For more information, click here.
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10-day "back-to-school" sales tax holiday |
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From July 31 through August 9, the following school items will be exempt from sales tax: clothing, footwear, backpacks $60 or less, school supplies $15 or less and the first $1,000 for personal computers or personal computer-related accessories.
For more information, click here.
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Nonprofit spotlight
Palm Beach County Food Bank
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Since its establishment in 2012, the Palm Beach County Food Bank has grown into an important organization that donates food to nearly 200 partnering agencies including food pantries, soup kitchens, residential facilities and other social service organizations right here in our county.
With the opening of their new facility in Lake Worth Beach, the organization will now be able to distribute more than 11 million pounds of food annually, reaching nearly 300,000 county residents.
To learn more about the PBC food bank and its programs, please call 561-670-2518 or click here.
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Sign up for emergency messaging via phone,
text, email and more...
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Hurricane Evacuation
Zone Look-up
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To report damage, download the app at links below.
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To stay informed on shelter information, click here.
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Rental, utility and relocation assistance |
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Palm Beach County is leading the state in rental assistance and has distributed over $9 million to nearly 2,000 at-risk households since April 1, 2021.
Concurrently, the eviction moratorium issued by the Centers for Disease Control will expire on July 31, 2021.
Individuals who may be impacted can apply for rental, utility or relocation assistance here.
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Additional programs and resources |
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Please see the links below for various available programs and resources such as the emergency broadband benefit and crisis counseling.
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Roundtable discussion with the Bahrain Ambassador |
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I had the pleasure of meeting Bahrain Ambassador Abdulla R. Al Khalifa, his delegation, and local officials in a roundtable discussion hosted by the World Trade Center Palm Beach at Keiser University in West Palm Beach.
Discussions were centered around the exponential opportunities for business, commerce, education and tourism between our area and the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Before the end of the year, a delegation from Palm Beach County will travel to the Kingdom of Bahrain to discuss trade opportunities.
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Out and about with Weinroth |
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Town of Lantana's 100th Anniversary celebration. |
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(l-r) Joe Theisman and Vice Mayor Weinroth at Florida Association of Counties Annual Conference |
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(l-r) Vice Mayor Weinroth, Boca Raton HOA Board member Craig Fox, and Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer at the Federation of Boca Raton Homeowner Association meeting |
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Call or email us if you have any questions or need assistance at 561-355-2204 and/or
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