BCC Briefs

At the May 19, 2009, Board of County Commissioners meeting, the board took the following action:

Tourist Development Council – tentatively approved the reallocation of $3 million in bed-tax funding for a marketing stimulus campaign for the Convention and Visitors Bureau, Cultural Council, Film and Television Commission and Sports Commission to promote tourism in the county.

Health-care reform – agreed to draft a resolution in support of a national public-private health-care plan that ensures access to medical insurance for the estimated 50 million Americans who have no coverage.

Abandoned properties – adopted an ordinance to allow the owners of homes going into foreclosure or banks that take back foreclosed properties to board them up in areas where vandalism has occurred or where there is evidence of unauthorized access.

RAP funds – approved 17 recreation assistance program (RAP) awards totaling $92,800 for District 7. The allocations were made by Commissioner Addie Greene prior to leaving office on April 30.

Youth empowerment – approved a budget transfer of $315,000 for the Belle Glade Youth Empowerment Center program, bringing its total FY 2009 program budget to $600,000.

Voter equipment storage – postponed to June 2 a request for additional warehouse space for the Supervisor of Elections Office to allow time for site checks of possible locations.

Airports – authorized the county administrator or his designee to seek competitive bids for rehabilitation of Runway 13-31 at Palm Beach International Airport; approved a budget amendment of $3.87 million and a transfer of $130,000 from airport reserves ($4 million total).

Little Lake Worth – postponed to June 16 final reading of an ordinance that prohibits live-aboard vessels and restricts commercial activity aboard boats in the Little Lake Worth area of the Lake Worth Lagoon.

Milani Park – directed staff to initiate litigation and intergovernmental conflict resolution during the pendency of litigation with Highland Beach over the proposed Cam D. Milani Park.

Growth management – agreed to send a letter to Gov. Charlie Crist urging him to veto Senate Bill 360, the Community Renewal Act, amid concerns that it will allow too much development and overburden taxpayers.