BCC Briefs

At the October 18, 2011, Board of County Commissioners meeting, the board took the following action:

Water storage – agreed to a non-binding memorandum of understanding with the South Florida Water Management District, the Lake Worth Drainage District and the city of Fort Lauderdale to work together toward possible development of a regional reservoir in the C-51 Basin.

Wastewater – approved a series of amendments to the county’s wastewater facilities-use ordinance pertaining to pretreatment of wastewater. Violators would be subject to a fine of $1,000 to $2,000 per offense.

Legislative Affairs – reviewed the proposed legislative program to be promoted by the county’s lobbying team at the 2012 Florida Legislative Session in Tallahassee.

Economic Development – conceptually approved an ad valorem tax exemption of $1.7 million over a seven-year period for Florida South Division, LLC. The company plans to build a regional headquarters and distribution center in Royal Palm Beach to serve its Aldi, Inc. grocery stores, creating 100 new, full-time jobs over a three-year period at an average annual salary of $46,100.

Scripps – agreed to send a letter to the governor and state lawmakers in support of Tenet Healthcare Corp.’s plan to build an 80-bed teaching hospital on Donald Ross Road in North County near the Scripps Florida campus.

Classical South Florida – approved an application by the nonprofit Classical South Florida for the issuance of $4.6 million in revenue bonds for the acquisition of radio station WPBI 90.7 FM. No county funds, nor its taxing power, faith or credit are involved.

Vehicles for hire – conceptually approved for first reading on Nov. 1 a series of amendments to the county’s vehicle-for-hire ordinance pertaining to fees, I.D. badges, and a six-month extension of a moratorium on new vehicle-for-hire companies wishing to do business in the county.

Enclaves – approved an interlocal agreement with the village of Palm Springs for the annexation of six enclaves totaling 8.26 acres along Gulfstream Road and Coconut Road.

Roads – agreed to continue on December 20 a public hearing for an MSTU to pay for paving and drainage improvements on Michlar Drive, Tamis Trail and 105th Avenue South in a rural development south of Wellington. Staff was directed to repetition affected property owners who would be assessed $19,662 per lot.

Employee benefits – approved the selection of Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company for employees of Palm Beach County, Palm Tran and the Supervisor of Elections through 2012.

ERM – recognized and thanked Richard Walesky who is retiring after 24 years as director of the Department of Environmental Resources Management (ERM).