BCC Briefs

At the February 7, 2012, Board of County Commissioners meeting, the board took the following action:

Singer Island – received a report from Environmental Resources Management staff on the feasibility of installing low-profile perpendicular groins (rock jetty-type barriers) off Singer Island to help control beach erosion. Due to high cost and long-term maintenance issues, the board directed staff to instead continue with sand pumping and dune restoration efforts.

Inspector General – agreed to provide $400,000 to the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) for operations. The office is facing a budget shortfall due to 15 municipalities refusing to pay for the OIG’s services and filing a lawsuit over the funding formula. Payments from other municipalities not part of the lawsuit have been withheld by the Clerk and Comptroller’s Office.

Village Square – approved the issuance of up to $6.1 million in Housing Finance Authority multifamily housing revenue bonds for construction of Village Square, an 84-unit multifamily rental housing facility in Delray Beach for qualified elderly persons. No county funds, nor its taxing power, faith or credit are involved.

Pot-bellied pigs – heard from the owner of a pot-bellied pig and several of her neighbors urging a code change that would allow the animals to be kept as pets in residential areas.

Criminal Justice Commission – dissolved the Palm Beach County Criminal Justice Commission Mental Health and Substance Abuse Planning Council and designated the Public Safety Coordinating Council as the planning council.

Planning, Zoning & Building – ratified the appointment of Building Division Director Rebecca Caldwell to director of the Planning, Zoning & Building Department. Caldwell will replace Barbara Alterman, who is retiring in April.