BCC Briefs

At the April 10, 2007 Board of County Commissioners meeting, the board took the following action:

Convention Center Hotel – approved construction contracts with Ocean Properties LLP for an upscale hotel next to the Palm Beach County Convention Center. The project calls for a 25-story, 400-room Westin hotel, a 20-story, 104-unit condo tower, and an 1,800-space parking garage with a tunnel linking it to the valet parking drop-off area. The hotel is expected to open in 2010.

Sheriff’s Office – approved the transfer of $2.6 million from general fund contingency to purchase replacement patrol cars for the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.

Budget – approved a series of amendments and transfers in the FY2007 budget to reflect the differences between estimated and actual revenues and expenditures. The total amount, an increase of approximately $28.4 million, was placed in reserves to help offset next year’s revenue requirements.

Glades Business Assistance – approved a $200,000 contract with the Lake Okeechobee Regional Economic Alliance to establish a program that would help pay for refurbishing commercial building facades.

Criminal Justice Commission – approved the selection of Michael Rodriguez as executive director of the Criminal Justice Commission. He replaces Diana Cunningham, who retired.

Haitian-American Community Council – approved a one-year contract with the Haitian-American Community Council in the amount of $137,200 for services aimed at assisting early entrants, asylees, refugees and new immigrants with transition to South Florida.

Traffic – denied a request for a traffic signal at the intersection of Forest Hill Blvd. and Quercus Lane in Wellington, but offered to let the Village of Wellington take over ownership and maintenance of the road within the village’s boundaries. The Village Council could then approve the signal. Commissioner Santamaria offered to pay for installation with District 6 gas tax funds.

Callery-Judge Grove – directed staff to look into possibly holding all or part of a May 7 meeting on proposed development at Callery-Judge Grove in the evening at a west-area high school to make it easier for affected residents to attend.