BCC Briefs 4-18-2006

At the April 18, 2006 Board of County Commissioners meeting, the board took the following action:

Scripps Contract – Agreed to transmit a proposed revised contract to Scripps officials delineating the terms and conditions of moving the Scripps campus from Mecca Farms to FAU/Briger; appointed Commissioner Aaronson to meet with Scripps on Monday, April 24 in the 12th floor McEaddy Conference Room to discuss unresolved issues, including minimum job creation and required length of stay.

Downtown Garage – Discussed funding for a parking garage to serve the County Convention Center and a planned hotel, tentatively agreeing on a one-cent increase in the tourism bed tax. The hotel developer, Ocean Properties, will pay for 500 of the 892 spaces in the proposed nine-level structure (two levels underground).

Criminal Justice Commission – Accepted a grant award of $191,726 in federal funds to provide funding for the State Attorney’s community-based anti-crime unit, the Public Defender’s ex-offender re-entry program, the Community Justice Service Center, and crime data research and analysis of the CJC.

Public Safety – Approved on preliminary reading and advertised for public hearing on June 20, 2006 an ordinance prohibiting sexual predators and offenders from living within 2,500 feet of specified locations where children gather.

Water Utilities – Adopted a resolution revising the Water Utility Department’s uniform policies and procedures manual; approved freezing water and sewer rates for up to 10 years for Royal Palm Beach customers whose system the County is acquiring; approved an interlocal agreement with the Seminole Improvement District regarding bulk water and wastewater services. The County will pay $6 million for Seminole’s pipes that extend outside its immediate service area, Callery-Judge Grove, and will drop a lawsuit over an emergency interconnect with Wellington.

Home Beautification – Approved revised guidelines for the Neighborhood Home Beautification Program. It will now be implemented by Facilities Development and Operations; the eligible assessed property value has been increased to $275,000 and the reimbursable amount increased to $10,000 per single-family residence.

Aquatic Center – Approved a budget transfer of $176,863 for a full-time pool manager and 13 non-permanent seasonal positions to staff the new Pioneer Park Aquatic Center near Belle Glade, slated to open in July.

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