Page 17 - Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens - March '23
P. 17

Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens, Page 17
      Commissioner’s Update



      2023 Legislative Session                           that will assist local governments in repurposing   them to be successful. This includes, but is not limited to:
                                                         underperforming  or  vacant  commercial developments
                                                                                                             Beach and inlet management projects to address
      Priorities                                         along our urban transit corridors into affordable housing   critically eroded beaches subject to constant wind, waves,
                                                         for our workforce. Palm Beach County has transmitted an   tides and seasonal Atlantic tropical storms and hurricanes.
      By Commissioner                                    amendment to the Comprehensive Plan to recognize the     The purchase and preservation of additional lands in
      Maria Marino                                       county’s authority to approve affordable housing projects   the Pal Mar Water Control District.
        The  Board of County                             pursuant to Florida Statutes. Once finalized, the county     Ongoing projects to restore the  Wild & Scenic
      Commissioners has                                  would establish procedures for considering approval of   Loxahatchee River and the Lake Worth Lagoon, two
      identified six strategic                           affordable housing proposals in commercial, industrial   delicate ecosystems that are essential to economic
      priorities that have guided                        and residential zoned areas, in accordance with any legal   development, tourism and recreation in Palm Beach
      the formulation of the                             provisions passed by the legislature.             County. They include seagrass restoration – this is what
      FY2023 budget and set                                Homelessness legislation to support programs that   manatees feed on; creation of new plant and animal
      the course for advocating                          include services to veterans, college and university   habitat islands; and, hydrologic restoration projects to
      Palm Beach County’s                                students, youth aging out of foster care, and patients   prevent saltwater intrusion.
      needs this 2023 legislative                        exiting sober homes, and review policies to move people   Substance Abuse And  Behavioral  Disorders/Mental
      session  in Tallahassee.                           out of poverty.                                   Health
      Those priorities are economic development; housing     Empower  local  governments  to  take  action  against     Communities  have recognized that the human  and
      and homelessness; infrastructure; public safety;   landlords who fail to maintain minimum housing    economic costs of untreated substance use and mental
      environmental protection; and, substance abuse and   standards; foreclose housing properties that pose a   illness continue to rise. Palm Beach County supports
      behavior disorders.                                safety hazard to its occupants; and, impose fines against   increased funding for the collaborative agencies working
        Influenced by those priorities, here are just some of the   landlords to recoup the costs of relocating residents from   together to reduce addiction and suicides, with an
      legislative measures and appropriations we are advocating   condemned properties.                    emphasis on expectant mothers and youth, respectively.
      through our delegation:                            Infrastructure                                      Overdose deaths increased statewide and nationally,
      Economic Development                                 Increase funding for Florida Department of      fueled by the increased use of fentanyl and the pandemic.
        Biomedical research funding for educational programs   Transportation programs to improve public transit   Palm Beach County supports the recommendations
      produced  by  local  universities  and  state  colleges  in   efficiencies, relieve traffic congestion through high-  of the State Attorney Addiction Recovery Task Force
      partnership with institutions such as Max Planck, Scripps   occupancy corridors, construct park and ride lots, and   for statutory changes to prohibit alcohol and illegal
      of Florida, Florida Atlantic University, Palm Beach State   support airport development.             substances on the premises of a recovery residence, a
      College and University of Florida. Supporting STEM     Provide a dedicated funding source to support the   mechanism for the imposition of fines for violations,
      programs will grow our workforce in the biotech industry.  operations and capital costs of Tri-Rail.  and the ability to assert trespass charges against any
        Funding to  support the  restoration  of  historical   Public Safety                               discharged residents who refuse to leave a recovery
      facilities on Peanut Island, including the U.S. Coast     Protect local governments’ ability to grant Emergency   residence.
      Guard Lake Worth Inlet Station, dating back to World   Medical Services Certificates of Public Convenience and     This is a mere sampling of the numerous issues we
      War II, and the Kennedy Bunker, built in secrecy by   Necessity for basic and advanced life support services   are following in this year’s Legislative session. We also
      the Navy Seabees during the time of the Cuban Missile   countywide.                                  place an emphasis on thwarting bills and any unfunded
      Crisis in 1961 and 1962. It is essential that we preserve     Provide comprehensive and uniform requirements   mandates that can negatively affect our residents, and
      the historical features in our parks and public spaces that   for building safety and support additional inspection   protect home rule. Home rule gives our 67 counties and
      enhance our tourist attractions.                   requirements statewide for multifamily condominium   more than 400 municipalities the ability to self-govern
      Housing And Homelessness                           facilities, along with required financial responsibilities   and create local laws through a public hearing ordinance
        Restoration of the Sadowski Local Government     of condominium and community associations.        process that are not in conflict with state law.
      Housing Trust Fund for affordable housing projects. This   Environmental Protection                    As always, if there is any way I can assist you, please
      session, I am very encouraged by Florida Senate President     Many critical environmental projects are located in   contact me at (561) 355-2201 or by email at mmarino@
      Kathleen Passidomo’s commitment to pass legislation   Northern Palm Beach County and state support is needed for   pbcgov.org.

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