At the April 6, 2021, Board of County Commissioners meeting, the board took the following action:
In memoriam – Observed a moment of silence honoring the passing of Congressman Alcee Hastings, who passed away on April 6 at age 84. Congressman Hastings represented Florida's 20th congressional district, to include parts of Palm Beach County since 1992.
COVID-19 – received a
report on local COVID-19 mitigation efforts from Dr. Alina Alonso, director of the Florida Dept. of Health-Palm Beach County and Emergency Management Director Mary Blakeney. The daily lab positivity is at 6.18%. Dr. Alonso cautioned against complacency by the public, which could lead to another spike. The county is averaging around 369 new COVID cases per day and is moving into in Phase 3 of vaccine distribution. To date, 76 percent of Palm Beach County residents age 65+ have been vaccinated. Persons age 18 and above are now eligible to receive the vaccine.
Engineering – Approved an amendment to Resolution R2020-1618, which repealed and replaced Resolution R2011-0860, designating certain parcels of land owned by Palm Beach County as road right-of-way for the State Road 7 Extension from Okeechobee Boulevard to 60th Street North.
Environmental Resources Management – Approved a County Deed to convey 170.592 acres of lands within an unused portion of the State Road 7 (SR 7) right of way (surplus lands) back to the Florida Department of Transportation.
Legislative Affairs – received and filed Mid-Session Legislative update of what has transpired during the first month of the 2021 Legislative Session.
Administration – Approved on first reading and to advertise for public hearing on April 20, 2021 an Ordinance of the Board of County Commissioners of Palm Beach County, Florida amending Palm Beach County Code, Chapter 2, Article V, Division 1. – Boards, Commissions, Etc., adding an in-person quorum standard; providing a conflicting provisions clause; providing severability; providing inclusion in the Code of Laws and Ordinances; providing captions; and providing for an effective date. This ordinance will standardize the in person quorum requirements for all County-created boards, commissions, committees and similar entities, including County boards created by Special Act of the Florida Legislature, as long as the provisions do not conflict with quorum definitions in State or federal law, rule, regulation or code.
Board Directives - Received and filed the updated board directive report.
Airports – Approved Amendment No. 4 to the Construction Manager at Risk Contract with The Morganti Group, Inc. for Miscellaneous Airport Improvements for Palm Beach County Department of Airports in the amount of $438,131. Also approved a budget transfer of $438,131 in the Airport's Improvement and Development Fund, including a transfer from Reserves in the amount of $438,131.
Facilities – received and filed a nine-month status report on operations of the Lewis Center Annex at 673 Fairgrounds Road.
Water Utilities – Approved on first reading and to advertise for public hearing on April 20, 2021 an Ordinance of the Board of County Commissioners of Palm Beach County, Florida, repealing and replacing Ordinance No. 07-003, as amended; providing for a schedule of rates, fees, and charges for potable water, wastewater, and reclaimed water services.