News Update from Town Hall - July 1, 2021
ALAN FIERS- MAYOR

Happy Birthday to All (July 4th)
From the entire Town Hall Staff
Enjoy the Holiday!
There is a lot of news to share with you all, so I won’t waste words or space with a long preamble. But I will note what you all know, the Rainy Season is here and that is good news for the water supply, but not so good news for beachgoers and golfers. Related to this, our Public Works team just completed building swales on the Cascade and Blossom and intersections with Lake Drive.  Both are areas that have traditionally flooded during hard rains. It seems that both are a success. Neither flooded during the last rain and Cascade was drained within an hour after the storm. We will be building a few more swales on Edwards and Lake, and Clairmont and Lake intersections, both are areas where stormwater tends to accumulate and pond. 

Continuing with the theme of storms, we have fully stocked our emergency supply container with water and basic food as well as other hurricane response equipment. We are now in a position to supply residents with basic needs of water and survival food until County, State, and Federal response teams mobilize and are functioning. As Chief Steedman will stress in his comments, this does not eliminate or lessen the need for each resident to store their supplies of food and water. And, don’t forget to pick up your Hurricane Re-entry Pass by the Sherrif’s Office.

Next, it seems the Community Center working group has arrived at a consensus on how to meeting the stated objective of operating the Center on a breakeven basis while retaining its main function as a Center available to town groups and residents without undue restrictions.  The group will be reporting their consensus at the July Commission workshop. 
 
At the June Commission meeting the following topics were addressed:

  • It was decided to renew the Beach cabana contract. At the July workshop, the Commission will be fleshing out the details of the new beach cabana contract. The issues are: How many cabanas and chair setups, where they are placed, and the contract terms and conditions. A new Contract will be voted on in the July Commission meeting.
  • The Commission also decided not to reduce the number of beach passes sold to non-residents, but rather to increase the cost of the passes to $350 per pass. As the passes go on sale on July 1st, we will know shortly what impact this increase has on pass sales volume.
  • The Commission agreed in principle to allow up to three properly licensed and permitted Golf Carts to park on the concrete pad at the end of Inlet Access Road.  There will be a limit of not more than 3 Carts parking at a time. The remaining details will be sorted out at the July Workshop and approved at the July commission meeting. 

All of the above items are subjects of significant differences of opinion among Town residents and the Commission is working to find the right balances that take into consideration the concerns of all residents. 

The following Ordinances were voted on:
  • To standardize the height of gates and the gate post. Presently the code sets the height dependent on the height of the fence to which it is attached. However, recently some residents have wanted to put gates in hedge openings. Our code does not address this, so theoretically the gate height is not limited. The new language set the gate and gate posts height at a maximum of six feet.
  • To require air condition equipment and generators to be placed in the rear half of the side yard setback, not closer than 5 feet from the lots line, or the rear of the house, and to appropriately screen the equipment to abate noise. Placement of such equipment in the front of a house is forbidden. 
  • The ordinance dealing with Impact fees was adjusted to eliminate the Police portion of the fee. Given that we now have no Police Department, this fee was deemed unjustified. Building impact fees will be decreased accordingly. 

The automated FPL switch has been installed on Ocean Drive, near the Bamboo intersection. This means that should we lose one of the Town feeder lines, the electric load will automatically be switched to one of the other Town feeder lines. (We have three feeder lines serving the Town.)

AT&T is wrapping up testing of the new all-fiber system in the north half of Town (Edwards north to Beach Lane). They will soon be offering the new service. Stay tuned for a special announcement concerning this.
Comcast is removing over headlines in some areas and will be finishing up the remaining service connections starting on the 7th of July. 

And that is a wrap for this month. Don’t forget to GET PREPARED FOR HURRICANES: MAKE A PLAN, BUY YOUR SUPPLIES.


Alan
WENDY WELLS - TOWN ADMINISTRATOR
Don’t miss the Town’s budget workshops! 
They will be part of the regular Commission Workshops on July 12th and August 9th at 7 p.m.




TREVOR STEEDMAN - FIRE CHIEF
COVID-19 Update:
The State and County have demobilized their full COVID-19 Incident Management Teams at their respective Emergency Operations Centers (EOC’s) and have returned to an enhanced monitoring status. Several, less impactful variant strains still exist, however are reported to be curtailed by the existing vaccines. 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. We are currently watching the Tropical Storm “Elsa”. TS Elsa has formed in the Atlantic Ocean with a predicted track toward the Caribbean by Friday. According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), TS Elsa was centered more than 700 miles east of the Windward Islands as of Thursday morning. Tropical Storm warnings have been issued for the Windward and Leeward Islands. Residents of South Florida should continue to monitor the progress and track of the storm throughout the 4th of July Holiday weekend.

  • 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 a 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.

Congratulations:
As part of the PBSFD’s ongoing professional development, the Department hosted the 80-hour Florida State Pump Operator Certification course. The two-part course included Fire Hydraulics and Water Supply (FFP 1301) and Apparatus Operations (FFP 1302). Two of our newer full-time PBSFD personnel (Firefighter / Paramedic Lancier Castro and Firefighter / Paramedic Jarbas Silva) and one of our volunteer staff (Firefighter / EMT Dianne Namur-Tejada) successfully completed this intensive training. These courses are mandatory pre-requisites for the PBSFD Fire Apparatus Driver Operator qualification program. Our other two full-time personnel (Firefighter / Paramedic Dmitriy Dinovitser and Firefighter / Paramedic Rob Villagomez) had previously completed this training course in 2019, however attended some sessions of this recent course as a refresher.

New Faces:
We would like to extend a warm Palm Beach Shores welcome to Mr. Mike MorrilI. Mike joins PBS Ocean Rescue as a new fill-in Lifeguard. Like our other regular and fill-in Lifeguards, he comes to us from Palm Beach County Ocean Rescue. If you see him in the tower, be sure to stop by and say “Hello”.
 
I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable July 4th Weekend as we celebrate our Nation’s Independence and remember those who have made that freedom possible.  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
Summer is here which means, heat and hurricane reminders. To date, we have issued 293 Hurricane reentry permits. Please remember this does not give free access to the Island. If the bridge is currently closed and only open to Singer Island residents police will still require identification. You can pick up a maximum of 2 with proper identification, Monday through Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
 
We have been reviewing the entry into 2 cars in area businesses. The suspects only enter open cars. They are looking for wallets etc., but have changed things up a bit. If there is no cash, they will remove a credit card from the wallet and charge a small amount of merchandise at first and then a larger purchase. Depending on the number of cards you have and which one you use most, you might not notice it missing for some time. Please, lock your doors and bring your car key fob and wallets inside.
 
As most of us know, one or two coyotes are walking on Singer Island. In the last few weeks, a coyote was seen on Sandal Lane, Cascade Lane, and Atlantic Avenue. He/she has only been seen in the overnight hours but, today (Wednesday) it was seen at Tacoma Lane at the roundabout.
 
Our deputies and a member of the Bush Wildlife center attempted to apprehend said coyote without any luck to date. Bush Wildlife has suggested steering clear of the animal and it should not pose an immediate danger to anyone. It’s not a good idea to feed or attempt to get its attention. Please call us at 561-688-3400 if you see him/her going forward. I walked the last area it was sighted at, also without any luck. I am awaiting a call from the State Wildlife Commission biologist office for additional ideas.
 
As always we are here for you.

Sgt. Steve Langevin
slangevin@pbspolice.org
EVYONNE BROWNING - TOWN CLERK
"For time and the world do not standstill. Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or the present are certain to miss the future." John F. Kennedy

It is with mixed emotions that we are saying "good-bye" to Laura Brown very soon. Laura has been with the Town since May 2018 as our Building Clerk extraordinaire, Accounts Payable clerk, personal friend, and an amazing ambassador for the "Ladies of Town Hall" with her upbeat personality and welcomes everyone who comes in the door with a huge smile on her face. Laura was married recently and is leaving us to work alongside her new husband as a dynamic duo in the building industry! We know that she will be the best partner Derrick has ever had! Laura, you will be missed by all of us here in Town Hall!


RIVIERA BEACH WATER DEPARTMENT ONLINE PAYMENTS UPDATE!
Riviera Beach is in the process of implementing a new utility billing software. 

From Randy M. Sherman, Director of Finance and Administrative Services (Riviera Beach):
"For the month of June many of our current processes needed to be taken off-line in order for us to bring clean records into the new system. We are now in the process of meticulously bringing each component on-line. Autopay will be one of the last processes to be brought back on-line as we want to be certain all previous payments have been properly applied so as to avoid withdrawals of excess funds. Please do not be concerned with disconnections or late fees, both have been suspended during the transition period. 

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work through each issue,
Now, we would like to introduce you to the newest member of the administrative team:
Jude was born and raised in North Adams, a small town in Western Massachusetts.
She moved to Florida in 2000, interviewed for a job at a bank, but, because of her sister, a career firefighter, who was a firefight career in dispatching, she started working for the police and fire departments in Lake Worth. She liked the work but found that the transition from a little town in Massachusetts to a city like Lake Worth was overwhelming and in 2001 she went to work for the small City of Atlantis. Jude was promoted from the Police Department to City Hall and then only about 6 weeks later, she stepped in as City Clerk. Jude went through the Florida Clerk’s Academy and in February 2009, she became a Certified Municipal Clerk. Right now, she is working towards becoming a" Master Municipal Clerk." Jude has four grown children and 2 grandchildren. 

 BUILDING PERMITS
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 the Building Clerk ahead of time and she can walk you through the requirements on 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 2 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, Laura, Sandi, and Jude!
ALAN WELCH - DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
ORLANDO RODRIQUEZ
CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
Important Flood Safety Information for Residents and Business Owners 
The Town participates in the Community Rating System (CRS), a voluntary incentive program that recognizes and encourages community floodplain management practices that exceed the minimum requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program. Flood insurance premium rates are discounted to reflect the reduced flood risk. Here is some information to meet those requirements.
For your own safety, there is no substitute for advance planning and preparation for flood events. 

  • Do not drive around road barriers. Roads may not be distinguishable from canals. 

  • Do not walk-through flowing water. As little as six inches of moving water can knock you off your feet. 

  • Stay away from power lines and electrical wires. 

  • Evacuate the area as soon as the order is given or sooner if possible! If evacuation becomes necessary be sure to turn off all utility services at the main connection.
 
  • Call the Town at (561) 844-3457 to find out if your property is located in a flood zone, susceptible to coastal erosion, if it is in an area that has flooded previously or is located near an area that should be protected due to its natural floodplain functions, and if an elevation certificate is on file.
 
Whether or not your property is in a FEMA defined flood zone, you should buy flood insurance. Losses due to flooding are not covered in a typical homeowners’ insurance policy. Flood insurance is available for buildings and a separate policy can be purchased for the contents of a building (Renters take note!). Call your insurance agent today or go to www.FloodSmart.gov to find an agent. There is a 30-day waiting period before the policy will become effective.
 
There are practical and cost-effective methods for reducing or eliminating your property’s exposure to flooding. Check your building for water entry points, such as doors, low windows, and dryer vents. These can be protected by the construction of low walls, barriers, or berms to keep water away from the building. You could elevate the building, elevate electrical equipment, install backflow valves. Find more information at FEMA’s website, www.ready.gov/floods. 
 
Town staff members are available to provide flood-related property protection consultations, including site visit and drainage evaluation. Call (561) 844-3457 for more information about these services, and to find out if you need a building permit for some flood protection methods.

A community can lose a portion of its drainage system carrying or storage capacity due to dumping, debris, soil erosion, and sedimentation, and overgrowth of vegetation. When this happens, flooding occurs more frequently, and the water rises higher, subjecting properties otherwise protected to unnecessary risk of damage. Keep grass clippings and other debris out of stormwater drainage systems to prevent clogging and loss of stormwater storage. Should you experience any drainage problems, or to report illegal dumping of debris into the stormwater system, please call the Town at (561) 844-3457 to report the problem.
 
Residents should be aware that Palm Beach Shores is linked to Palm Beach County Emergency Management Division who will advise our community of impending storms and flood threats. Stay tuned to local television and radio stations and the Weather Channel for up-to-the-minute information. The Town of Palm Beach Shores emergency number is (561) 844-3456. Town Emergency Management staff will provide detailed and site-specific information regarding storm conditions and flood threats and will issue updates, warnings, and evacuation notices door-to-door as needed.
 
Thank you,
 
Orlando Rodriguez
Code Enforcement Officer
CRS Coordinator 
Grants Coordinator
 
Town of Palm Beach Shores
247 Edwards Lane
Palm Beach Shores, FL 33404
Phone: 561-844-3457  
Cell: 772-302-6485