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DECEMBER 2019
LOOKING BACK ON 2019
2019 was a good year on many fronts. As we wrap up the year, we highlight a few accomplishments that benefit the people we serve.

The Palm Beach County economy added more than 10,000 jobs in the past year, and the unemployment rate dropped to a historical low of 3%. 

Thanks to the work of our county economic sustainability team and the Business Development Board, scores of businesses moved to our county or expanded their footprint, investing millions in our local economy.  In our district, Gulfstream Aerospace is making a $25 million capital investment to lease, renovate, and equip a 115,000-square foot facility. This will create 50 new jobs with an average wage of $73,685 and a median wage of $65,000. This project is expected to have a 5-year economic impact of $127.6 million. 

Our district received millions of dollars to improve roadways and intersections, and Pinehurst Drive and major sections of Forest Hill Boulevard, Summit Boulevard and Jog Road were resurfaced. The county continues to invest heavily in maintaining and improving our roadways.

The County Department of Environmental Resources Management (ERM) made great strides in improving the health of the Lake Worth Lagoon with the Tarpon Cove project. The islands that are being constructed in the Intracoastal Waterway, east of the El Cid Neighborhood in West Palm Beach, create habitat for wildlife and contribute to improving water quality in the lagoon. By working with other agencies and repurposing sand, ERM saved the taxpayers millions.

Commissioner Weiss was among the first to make the plunge at Shark Wake Park at Okeeheelee Park where kids and lovers of wake boarding can try their luck at cable skiing.

Leading the way in protecting seniors, Palm Beach County strengthened consumer protections for seniors and others who rely on the help of Home Caregivers. Palm Beach County is the first in state to require ID badges for caregivers.

The county’s legislative affairs team secured millions in state and federal dollars that benefit the county and our district. We are hoping to continue to attract our fair share of these state and federal dollars in 2020 and the years to come.

In order to secure this, our office is working with county staff and the U.S. Census Bureau to ensure a complete count during the 2020 Census. The Census brings many benefits to our local community. It is instrumental for redistricting and securing billions in federal funds. Make sure you count everyone in your household on April 1, 2020.
Thank you for allowing us to serve you,
and we are looking forward to doing
so much more in 2020! 
QUARTERLY MEETING
Climate Change Facing Palm Beach County

During the fourth quarterly meeting, Commissioner Weiss met with mayors and city managers of the eight municipalities in District 2. Guest speaker, Palm Beach County Resilience Director Megan Houston talked about climate change issues facing Palm Beach County (PBC), what the County is doing about them, and ways that the County and cities will work together to develop effective strategies.

The programs the group discussed included: the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact, the Mayors’ Climate Action Pledge, Property Assessed Clean Energy financing, and septic-to-sewer conversion. The group acknowledged the need for continued public engagement to build awareness and support for future resiliency and sustainability investments.

Thank you to Megan Houston for a great presentation and to the town of Haverhill Manager, Janice Rutan and Mayor Jay G. Foy for hosting our District 2 meeting in their town hall.

CLIMATE SUMMIT

Commissioner Weiss attended the 11th annual Southeast Florida Regional Climate Leadership Summit in Key West. The Summit featured keynote speakers and panels with local, state, and federal government officials, business and nonprofit leaders, and other experts where they discussed plans to ensure the region not only survives, but thrives, in the face of sea level rise and other climate impacts.

This annual event was coordinated by the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact, a partnership between Broward, Miami-Dade, Monroe, and Palm Beach counties, their municipalities; and other partners.

The Climate Leadership Summit is a major regional event focused on facilitating climate-related collaboration and knowledge sharing. The Summit attracts innovative thinkers and leaders from business, government, academia, and the nonprofit community to exchange ideas and dialogue through panel discussions and networking.

Click here to learn more about the
Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact

BCC DECEMBER BRIEFS

At the December 3 and 17, 2019, Board of County Commissioners meetings, the board took the following action:

Opioids – ratified the mayor’s signature on the 2019 U.S. Department of Justice Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Site-Based Program award of $1.2 million for the period October 1, 2019, through September 30, 2022. This funding will support development of a comprehensive, locally driven response to the opioid epidemic. 

Roads – approved the annual update of the county’s five-year road program, which is required to be considered each year by the program ordinance. Included in the adoption is authorization for the hiring of professionals to design, appraise and assist in the acquisition of lands, rights of way and easements necessary to undertake the projects identified in the program.

Climate Change – approved an interlocal agreement with Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Highland Beach, Lake Worth Beach, Lantana and Ocean Ridge to conduct a joint climate change vulnerability assessment.

Stadium – approved an updated term sheet with Jupiter Stadium Limited (JSL) identifying key provisions of new developer and sports facility use agreements with JSL to facilitate renovation of Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.

ENTREPRENEUR SEMINAR
HOLIDAY TRASH COLLECTION
On Christmas Day (Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2019) all SWA facilities are closed and there is no garbage service in unincorporated Palm Beach County. There is no make-up collection day. 
 
However, under the new collection service contract using standardized garbage carts, garbage will be collected outside of the cart from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1. Residents still should place all debris normally collected on these days curbside by 6 a.m. 
  
New Year’s Day (Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020) will not affect garbage collection in unincorporated Palm Beach County. All material should be at the curb on New Year’s Day by 6 a.m. as collection service may be much earlier than normal.  

Holiday Recycling and Waste Tips
  • Unincorporated Palm Beach County residents can place their live Christmas tree curbside on the regular yard waste collection day. Remember to remove all decorations, lights and tinsel. 
  • Pre-lit and artificial trees should be discarded as trash. 
  • Plastic bags and film (like wrap on water bottle cases) can be recycled at most local supermarkets in special bins. Soiled bags and film should go in the trash. 
  • Foam food trays and egg cartons can be recycled at most local supermarkets in special bins. 
  • Oversized and large volumes of flattened cardboard boxes may be recycled at any of the Home Chemical and Recycling Centers. Click here.
  • Holiday ornaments, decorative pieces, clothing and toys that are in good condition can be donated to a local nonprofit, church or shelter to be reused.
  • Tree trimmings such as tinsel and garland should be discarded as trash. Palm Beach County residents can bring holiday lights to any of the seven Home Chemical and Recycling Centers. Click here.
  • Excess trash can be taken to any of the SWA’s transfer stations during regular hours, but there is a nominal charge for disposal that is payable in cash only.  Click here.

SWA Customer Service can be reached at 561-697-2700 or 866-792-4636.
Live in one of Palm Beach County’s 39 municipalities?
Contact your municipality directly for their holiday collection schedule.
Click here for a list of municipal contacts
2020 CENSUS JOBS
CHANNEL 20 TV GUIDE
Subscribe to PBC TV Program Guide for Free!
 
The PBC TV Channel 20 Program Guide is published monthly and mailed free to anyone wishing to find out more about what is on PBC TV.  This includes a detailed weekly program listing along with information about departments and programs being featured that month. 
 
The Channel 20 Division of Public Affairs provides County government information and educational programming to all cable subscribers in Palm Beach County.

PBC TV Channel 20's primary services include broadcasting:
  • County government meetings
  • Government informational programs
  • Critical public safety information
  • Emergency preparedness
  • Maintaining a storm-ready, live-broadcast studio at the County's Emergency Operations Center
  • Bid opportunities with PBC Purchasing Department for local businesses
  • Road construction projects
  • County transit information
  • Job opportunities 
  • General government announcements
Ways to watch PBC TV:
  • Cable TV
  • Live Online 
  • On Demand
  • Any Mobile Device
  • YouTube
Have any ideas, suggestions, concerns?

Contact Us!

We are here to help you!
Administrative Assistants to Commissioner Gregg K. Weiss:

Niels Heimeriks
Constituent Issues
NHeimeriks@pbcgov.org

Office: 561-355-4966   Cell: 561-371-1089

Virginia Savietto 
Constituent Issues
VSavietto@pbcgov.org

Office: 561-355-2209   Cell: 561-324-9621

Paul Razza 
Scheduling & Constituent Issues
PRazza@pbcgov.org

Office: 561-355-2202  

Website: www.pbcgov.com/D2
Email us as a group: district2@pbcgov.org


Contact PBC Commissioner Gregg Weiss, District 2 at:
301 N. Olive Avenue, 12th Floor
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Tel: 561-355-2202
Email: district2@pbcgov.org
Website: www.pbcgov.com/D2
Follow us on social media:
Facebook: @GreggWeissPBCCommissionerD2
Twitter: @GreggPBC

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