City Commission Meeting 6/8:

Commissioners approved acceptance of state (F.D.O.T.) grant for $3m to help fund the Fern Street crossing to be built between early 2027 and early 2028.  The objective is to provide a new vehicle crossing of the Tri-Rail tracks between Fern Street and Australian Avenue to relieve commuter traffic congestion.  The total cost of that project will be almost $15m from a variety of government agencies, including city funds.

During public comments, commissioner Sylvester mentioned that he wants to schedule a commission workshop on exploring the banning of EV's (electric bikes & scooters) on city sidewalks.  Several South Florida cities have already imposed bans, mostly for pedestrian safety, but also to prevent a flood of lawsuits against the city.

City Commission Workshop 6/11:

This rather glum meeting examined two bits of bad fiscal news.  Firstly: how to financially prepare if the state's proposal to gradually eliminate property taxes passes.  All Florida cities are highly dependent on the property taxes that the state redistributes, and the only recourse cities will have is to impose new or increased taxes.  Secondly, there was a presentation by the city on why it's better to spend $38.1m on repairs to the downtown police station, rather than $200m+ on buying land and building a new station from scratch.  Despite the overwhelming financial incentive to repair rather than replace, Commissioner Fox expressed (not for the first time) frustration at why the full scope of the repair expenses was only revealed in dribs and drabs over 2 years.   Since it's just a workshop, nothing was voted on.

City Commission Meeting 6/22:

Commissioners approved the continuation of a $100 per residential unit annual "fire assessment service fee," along with various rates for commercial properties (on a square-foot basis).  In other words, the city's general fund has insufficient funds to pay for the full cost of fire service, so a separate tax began to be levied 10+ years ago to make up the difference.  Properties owned by non-profit organizations used to enjoy an 80% exemption from paying that fee.  Notably, that exemption was removed at this meeting in an effort spearheaded by Commissioner Peduzzi, who persuasively argued that the exemption was unfair to other citizens.

There were also several residents who spoke during public comments, including DNA President Sitima Fowler, who complained about after-hours noise from bars and landscapers.  She also encouraged commissioners and the mayor to use the DNA as a helpful resource to vet ideas about downtown changes before pursuing them.

City Commission Meeting 5/12:

Not much relevant to downtown was discussed. But in her public comments, Commissioner Fox expressed traffic congestion concerns about the proposed Downtown Master Plan. Specifically:

----she mentioned that a new downtown traffic study is in process, and would like to see the results so far.

----she is concerned about how the DMP will affect stormwater management and tidal flooding along Flagler Drive.

----police & fire response times, plus garbage logistics concern her.

----she wants to make sure that affordable housing incentives are preserved.

Downtown Action Committee meeting 5/13:

Reminder: the DAC is a board of mayor-appointed experts on architecture and urban design who volunteer to review proposed development projects and pass along their recommendations to city commissioners. This meeting was about the proposed DMP, featuring a summarized presentation by Bernard Zyscovich and a plea by the rector of Trinity Episcopal Church to allow for height above 25 stories for their proposed condo tower along Flagler Drive. Development Director Ana Maria Aponte reminded the board that the DMP concerns private land only---not public lands along the waterfront.

Bottom line: the DAC board voted to approve recommending the DMP to the city commission with these additional provisions:

----the current minimum parking spaces per unit will be preserved. The new DMP sought a 25% reduction.

----the DAC board expressed concern about monolithic buildings that might look like "25-story stalagmites," especially along Flagler Drive. So, they want the city to encourage height flexibility, including height reductions along Flagler Drive with the goal of a varied skyline and giving architects more creative leeway.

----add higher impact fees to use on maintaining "biophilic" tree canopy. All agreed that downtown needs more shade trees.

----request more information about multi-modal plans to make sure they are actually going to help alleviate congestion. The DAC seemed to be in agreement that they don't want a jihad on cars via punitive, NYC-style congestion fees or other impediments that can be viewed as elitist, regressive taxes.

----request an independent legal review to make sure that the DMP's height limits, especially along Flagler Drive, do not contradict state law.

The next DAC meeting will be June 10 at 10 a.m.

City Commission meeting 5/26:

Not much here relevant to downtown aside from some pay raises for certain city employees, plus approval of a permit for a country music concert June 12-13 along the waterfront: "It's 5 o'clock Somewhere."

During public comments, Commissioner Fox expressed concern that the city will soon likely ask for yet more money to fix water & mold issues at the downtown police station. Bear in mind that within the last year or so, the commission approved $4m, then another $12m---and it still isn't enough, apparently. So, Fox mentioned that the city should be open to exploring other options instead of pouring more money down that hole.

CRA board meeting 3/2:

City commissioners approved a grant for $280k for hiring off-duty police and private security personnel for the NORA district. They also approved an additional $120k to install closed-circuit TV cameras in assorted northwest neighborhoods with crime issues.

City Commission meeting 3/2:

Not much here, aside from the city submitting a 20-year plan for water gathering and use, which is required by the South Florida Water Management District. Unfortunately, meeting attendees did not get a chance to see the plan, which includes forecasts for population growth, water demand, and related issues.

City Commission work session 3/9:

The topic here was how to fund increasing costs for the fire department. In the old days, it was all paid from the general fund. However, beginning in 2008, the city imposed a $25 per dwelling tax on property owners, which exempted property owned by tax-exempt entities such as churches, schools, and charities. That tax per dwelling was raised to $50 in 2018, then $100 in 2019. Do not be surprised if that figure gets raised again soon. Commissioner Peduzzi believes that it is unfair for nonprofits not to have to pay their share, since they typically have large buildings that place a greater burden on fire departments.

City Commission meeting 3/16:

Commissioners approved the sale of city-owned 202 & 204 N. Sapodilla to Publix for $3 million.

Victor Carosi, head of the city water department, gave a presentation on $6.2 million of water infrastructure improvements needed on Palm Beach. In case you did not know, Palm Beach residents and businesses pay the City of WPB for their water and sewer. WPB owns all the water and sewer infrastructure on Palm Beach and is responsible for maintaining it, including hydrants, water mains, pumps, and related systems.

Commissioner Lambert expressed concern about construction-related parking issues in District 5, from Grandview Heights south to the Lake Worth border. Commissioner Fox expressed concern about flooding that closes S. Flagler Drive in El Cid. Commissioner Warren expressed concerns about downtown traffic.

City Commission meeting 3/30:

This meeting began with several encomiums by city residents for Commissioner Lambert, who ends her 8 years as District 5 commissioner. Steve Sylvester will be sworn in on April 2 to take her place.

Attorney Harvey Oyer gave a first reading of the larger Phase 2 expansion of the Norton Museum of Art, which includes expanding the museum itself and installing a 3-story parking garage on the west side of Dixie Highway to replace the inadequate surface parking there. Oyer noted that the Phase 2 expansion was already approved by the commission 11 years ago, but the revised Phase 2 expansion is larger in order to accommodate more works and more visitors. Commissioners were all enthusiastic about the larger Phase 2 expansion.

____________________________________________________________________

By the way: Mayor James is convening an advisory panel to discuss the fate of the 2 city-owned lots, which Related / Ross wants to buy, adjacent to Publix, as well as downtown greenspace in general, and I readily accepted his invitation to serve. That panel will convene in a few weeks and will include the mayor, Teneka James of the DDA, Leah Rockwell from Parks & Rec., Chris Roog of the CRA, perhaps a representative from Related / Ross, and possibly others.

If appropriate, I also plan to mention reviving the jet-ski and small boat rental along the waterfront. Commissioner Fox notified me that Leah Rockwell is waiting for the State to renew our city's submerged lease of that intracoastal property before she publishes an RFP (request for proposals) to reactivate boat rentals.

City Commission Meeting 2/2:

Not much here, aside from a presentation on funding the replacement of assorted sewer lift stations.

Downtown Action Committee meeting 2/11:

The Downtown Action Committee (DAC) is an 8-member panel of architects, urban planners, realtors, etc., appointed by the mayor, whose purpose is to advise the mayor and commissioners on all sorts of development proposals. This meeting opened with a presentation by City Urban Designer Claudia Ibaven giving a summary of the proposed revisions to the Downtown Master Plan (DMP).  A YouTube video of this meeting and Ibaven's presentation is readily available at the city's website under "DAC Meeting 2/11/26".  See especially minutes 5:40-8:30 where Ibaven displays 3 slides: "2007 Proposed Incentive Heights," "Existing Incentive Heights," and "Potential Incentive Heights."  This last slide refers to the heights that the revised DMP would like to see enforced.  Of particular interest are the changes in the 400 block between Lakeview north to Clematis, going from 15 stories in 2007 to 25 stories a few years later back to 15 stories once the revised DMP is approved---among many other changes.  I mention this because of resident concern about an attempt by developers to hurry and get condos 20+ stories high approved at 400 Hibiscus St. and 400 Fern Street before the new DMP reimposes a 15-story limit.  Downtowners who have concerns should express them to Christy Fox, our commissioner, at [email protected] or (561)822-1390.

Bernard Ziscovich (DMP designer) will give a more detailed presentation at the next DAC meeting in March, with the goal of the DAC voting on the DMP revisions at their April meeting.  

City Commission meeting 2/17:

----Schmidt 

City Commission Meeting 1/5

This meeting was relatively brief and featured the commissioners congratulating Steve Sylvester on his unopposed victory for commission district 5.  There was also a first reading of an amendment to city law 54-291 which currently states that boats anchoring or mooring in the intracoastal can only do so for 30 consecutive days.  Apparently, some sea-gypsies were gaming the system and overstaying their welcome after a brief departure.  So, the amended city law will read "no more than 30 days within a 6-month period."

Related Group is seeking assorted zoning and development waivers for their extensive development at 1101 S. Flagler Drive, but that won't be discussed until the next commission meeting 1/19.  

Most interesting were public comments by two young men who live on Clematis Street, respectfully complaining about 1) the bizarre rule in city-owned parking garages that prohibits residents from keeping a car there for more than 7 days, even if the car's parking is fully paid every month, and 2) the lack of security cameras in city-owned garages to prevent theft and hit & runs.  Commissioners Fox and Peduzzi supported their complaints and pledged to remedy them.

City Commission Meeting 1/20

11/10 city commission meeting: 

This meeting mostly concerned commissioners approving design changes to "The Marina", a 19-acre site along the intracoastal between 38th & 44th streets (formerly Rybovich's marina).  It had been approved several years ago, but the developers wanted to change some of the site plan (adjusting setbacks, parking needs, etc.).  A few interesting statistics were cited during the presentation:

---The population of WPB has increased 12.5% since 2019

---Average assessed values of WPB property have doubled since 2015,  increasing 45% since 2021

Also, commissioners approved a step to making way for the future site of Publix downtown, by declaring CRA owned lots at 202, 204, and 206 N. Sapodilla as "surplus," enabling them to be sold to Publix.  In order to arrive at a sale price, the city will solicit 2 professional appraisals of the parcels' combined value.

A representative of the Fraternal Order of Police spoke, defending WPB police captains placed on administrative leave while an investigation of financial misconduct proceeds.  

"Your Waterfront Your Way" city commission work session 11/17:

City Commission and CRA meeting 10/14:

City Commission Meeting 9/2:  

CRA meeting 9/2: