BCC Briefs

At the September 9, 2008 Board of County Commissioners meeting, the board took the following action:

Inland port – gave preliminary approval to plans to develop an inland intermodal logistics facility (inland port) in western Palm Beach County; directed staff to initiate the process of amending the comp plan to create an industrial overlay district along the U.S. 27 corridor south of Lake Okeechobee.

Roadside vendors – amended the roadside vendors ordinance to a) designate an area to accommodate large vending locations; b) increase the size of vending locations in the designated area; c) increase annual fees, insurance and bond amounts; and d) restrict vendors’ use of rights of way that are used for park access and parking.

Vehicles for hire – approved on preliminary reading and advertised for public hearing on Sept. 23, 2008 a series of amendments to the county’s vehicles-for-hire ordinance. They include requiring drivers to understand basic English and local geography; requiring criminal background checks and I.D. badges; prohibiting individuals convicted of certain felonies from operating a vehicle for hire; and banning the use of vehicles older than 10 years.

Burglar alarms – amended the countywide burglar alarm ordinance to replace the special master with a three-member false alarm appeals board, and increased the new application fee from $18 to $25 and renewal fees from $5 to $25.

Criminal Justice Commission – renewed a three-year contract with Pride Integrated Services for misdemeanor probation services to the County Court, effective Dec. 6, 2008 – Dec. 5, 2011.

Palm Tran – approved a $2 fare for low-income transportation disadvantaged individuals, effective October 1.

Old Indiantown Road – authorized designation of an additional section of Old Indiantown Road located on the county-owned Hatcher/Halpryn property in Jupiter Farms. The site has been recommended for inclusion in the Palm Beach County Register of Historic Places.

Biotest Pharmaceuticals – approved a Job Growth Incentive Grant agreement in the amount of $40,000 as the required 20 percent local match to bring Biotest Pharmaceuticals Corp. to Boca Raton. Biotest is taking over the building formerly occupied by Nabi Biopharmaceuticals, creating 50 new jobs at an average annual salary of $56,706.

Administrator’s contract – extended the contract of County Administrator Robert Weisman through 2013. The administrator will receive the same raises as other county employees.