Page 7 - Boca Club News - November '19

Boca Club News, Page 7
From the Desk of Palm Beach County Commissioner

Robert S. Weinroth: Iguanas, Pickleball and Kids

Robert Weinroth, a former member Playtime and Pickleball. One of Palm Beach County’s resilient families and safer communities. Their vision provides
of the Boca Raton City Council, was greatest assets is our award-winning park system. With that all children and their families live in a society where
elected as a Palm Beach County over 8,000 acres of park land and 110 park properties children are protected from child sexual abuse and trauma.
Commissioner to replace Steven there is something for everyone, including sports, fitness, Kidsafe has been educating children, families and child-
Abrams, who retired due to term limits environmental, and cultural opportunities. The park locations serving professionals since 2009. Since then, they have taught
requirements. range from oceanfront to the western areas of the county over 60,000 children that they have the right to be safe, and
Tips on Dealing with Iguanas. Though bordering the Florida Everglades. The amenities are extensive have provided assistance to over 35,000 adults as they are the
iguanas are not native to South Florida and include boating, camping, golfing, swimming, snorkeling, first line of defense for children.
they are thriving in the warm climate water skiing and nature centers, just to name a few. Some of their programs include an 8-week curriculum
and their population is growing. Iguanas can grow up to six The county’s Parks and Recreation’s motto is “your designed for children in grades Pre-K4 through second grade,
feet long and they are a nuisance. They eat valuable landscape playtime is our business” and they take it very seriously. New parent and educator training. For more information, please visit
plants, shrubs, trees, as well as orchids and other flowers and facilities accommodate the latest in leisure trends, as well as their website or call 855-844-SAFE.
even bird eggs. Their burrows can cause extensive damage the always popular, timeless needs of our growing community. At the October 22nd Board of County Commissioners
to construction and seawalls. Iguana droppings along decks, One example of a growing trend in parks nationwide is meeting, the board took the following action.
docks and pools are not just annoying; they are also a source pickleball. It is considered the fastest growing sport in the BCC Briefs:
of e-coli. Though typically not aggressive Iguanas can and will country. According to the USA Pickleball Association, the Jerome Golden Center – received an update from Ann
defend themselves if cornered by pets or people, using their sport has had a 650 percent increase in numbers over the past Berner, Chief Executive of the Southeast Behavioral Network,
sharp teeth, nails and powerful tails. six years. It initially became popular with the 55-plus crowd and partners, on the status of the closing of Jerome Golden
As with all wildlife iguanas are protected by animal cruelty but is now just as popular with the younger generation. Center for Behavioral Health. The Jerome Golden Center was
laws, and hurting or killing them inhumanely is punishable by Pickleball is a mix between tennis, racquetball and ping abruptly closed, leaving other agencies to care for its many
law. Below are tips on dealing with these giant lizards that are pong. Players use special paddles and a wiffle ball, and nets patients. County staff was directed to meet with the Health
likely here to stay. and court sizes are smaller than their tennis counterparts. It is Care District of Palm Beach County and others in an effort
Discouraging Iguanas: also affordable and the game is quick, usually about 15 minutes to ensure the continued care of residents receiving treatment
• Never feed iguanas. each. from the now closed center.
• Protect plants with cages or screen enclosures. Palm Beach County’s Parks and Recreation Department Beach park – directed staff to execute a letter requesting
• Use iguana-resistant plants such as citrus, milkweed, has pickleball courts at no charge on a first-come, first-served a five-year extension for development of the Cam D, Milani
pigeon plum, oleanders, coonties, etc., in your landscape. basis during regular park hours. Currently, pickleball courts Park in Highland Beach. Staff was directed to come back to the
• Install sheet-metal cylinders approximately 18 inches are available in Caloosa Park in Boynton Beach, Lake Lytal board with a plan to include the park in the five-year Capital
from the base of trees to prevent iguanas from climbing. Park and Okeeheelee Park in West Palm Beach. Improvements Plan and the inclusion’s effect on other projects
• Create an L-shaped wire barrier along the bottom of For detailed information on the county’s park locations, countywide.
seawalls and other fixed objects to prevent iguanas from amenities and special events, visit: http://discover.pbcgov.org/ Convention Center hotel – directed staff to continue with a
digging underneath. parks/Amenities/. planned study on the number of hotel rooms required to support
Habitat Modification: D.C. Fly-In. On October 16th and 17th, Commissioner the existing Convention Center and future expansion, parking
• Avoid planting iguana favorites, such as hibiscus, orchids, Weinroth, along with County Mayor Mack Bernard, spaces required for the Convention Center, existing hotel and
impatiens, roses, garden greens and melons. Commissioner Melissa McKinlay and almost 100 Florida additional rooms to be constructed, and the level of financial
• Remove protective cover, such as dense thickets and piles county representatives attended the annual Florida Association assistance required to support development of additional hotel
of landscape timber or rocks. of Counties 2019 Federal Fly-In in Washington, D.C. rooms and other related items. The board plans to discuss the
• Fill vacant burrows with rocks. The county has many legislative priorities that require topic at a workshop after the study is completed.
Humane Discouragement: a partnership with our federal legislative delegation. The PREM – adopted an ordinance repealing and replacing the
• Keep a water hose ready and available to spray basking 48-hour period was spent on Capitol Hill meeting with U.S. Real Property Acquisition, Disposition and Leasing Ordinance,
iguanas on pool decks or boats. Senators Rubio and Scott and members of the Palm Beach commonly known as PREM, to allow for workforce housing
• A startling noise will also create an unwelcome County Congressional delegation, including Ted Deutsch, units under the guidelines of the Workforce Housing Program
atmosphere for a sunning iguana that feels a bit too much at Alcee Hastings, Brian Mast and Lois Frankel. to be sold directly to qualified buyers without a competitive
home poolside. The County has a long list of issues we have asked process, without an additional appraisal beyond that obtained
• Hang CDs near seawalls or dangle them like wind chimes our representatives to address, including, of course, Lake by the county in connection with acquiring the unit, and without
from trees or prized plants. Their reflective surfaces often scare Okeechobee and the Water Resources Development Act; review by the Property Review Committee (PRC). Acquisitions
away iguanas. funding for infrastructure (including highways and the involving eminent domain and/or inverse condemnation will
Resources. For more tips and information on coexisting public transportation system); and veterans’ services, to be exempt from PRC review.
with iguanas, visit Dealing with iguanas in the S. Florida name just a few. Neighborhood grants – approved project agreements
Landscape. If you have an iguana problem, the Florida Fish Nonprofit Spotlight: Kidsafe Foundation. KidSafe is to implement various community improvement projects and
and Wildlife Conservation Commissioner recommends you a non-profit located in Boca Raton; their mission is to teach initiatives through the Office of Community Revitalization’s
contact a critter control company licensed to trap these animals. personal safety to children and their grown-ups to build strong, Neighborhood Engagement and Transformation (NEAT)
Grants Program for a total of $150,000.
Sidewalks – approved the Fiscal Year 2020 sidewalk
program. This will allow construction of several proposed
projects that have been compiled in response to requests from
the Palm Beach County School District, the Palm Beach County
Sheriff’s Office, the Board of County Commissioners, and
residents of Palm Beach County. The proposed projects include
14 new construction projects and 11 major maintenance projects.
Artificial reef – approved an agreement transferring
Do you know a family member, funds to reimburse the county for the placement of 645 tons
of limestone boulders at the Palm Beach Mid-Depth Artificial
friend or a neighbor in need of Reef Site. The dollars were transferred from the Saltwater

Home Health Care? Vessel Registration Fee Trust Fund.
Water Utilities – adopted an amendment to the Liens

of Assessment section of the Potable Water, Wastewater,
and Reclaimed Water Special Assessment Ordinance. The
amendment allows for assessing payments beyond the original
20-year term.
Home Health Aides / Certified Nursing Assistants / Registered Nurses to assist you with: MSTU – adopted an amendment to the Priority of Lien,
Interest, and Method of Payment of Special Assessments
• Personal Care • Companionship • Respite Care • Alzheimers & Dementia Care section of the Municipal Service Taxing Unit (MSTU) Special
• Medication Management • Transportation • Meal Preparation Assessment Ordinance. The amendment allows for assessing
• Light Housekeeping • Grocery Shopping • Post Surgery Care payments beyond the original 20-year term.
Airport noise - In an effort to address community concerns
with the noise impacts of aircraft overflights, particularly
Complimentary In-Home Consultation helicopters, the board approved a budget amendment of
$709,056 in the Airport’s Improvement and Development Fund
Care provided in the comfort of your Home, Hospital, or Facility and approved a contract with Harris Miller Miller & Hanson,
Inc. for the preparation of a Noise Compatibility Study at Palm
We accept All Long Term Care Insurance Policies and Private Pay – Affordable Rates Beach County Park Airport in Lantana.
Bond refinance – adopted a resolution to refinance certain
Family owned and operated. Boca Resident for 30+ years and Boca Pointe Members. Public Improvement Revenue Refunding Bonds and Taxable

CALL TODAY: 561.740.8667 Public Improvement Revenue Bonds after the determination that
these bonds can be refunded for savings. Based on current market
www.auracalshc.com conditions, the estimated savings on the Public Improvement
Florida Licensed and Insured NR# 30211558, NR# 30211706 Revenue Refunding Bonds is 10.27% and the estimated savings
on the Taxable Public Improvement Bonds is 13.73%.