Hurricane season is definitely here as we continue to monitor weather in the tropics weekly while ensuring our infrastructure, systems, and staff is storm ready.  We will continue to monitor activity and adjust operations as necessary in order to address operational needs and continuity of operations.  The upcoming weekend should have us enjoying a well-attended July 4th celebration.  The staff has prepared a great day of activities, music, and fun culminating in the biggest Zambelli fireworks display in the county.  Weather is expected to be precipitation-free for the event (fingers crossed).  

We also continue to work with Mr. Bellissimo as he prepares to submit applications for proposed development plans for his land holdings.  No formal application has been submitted yet, however, he and his consultant have had a pre-application meeting with staff.  Similarly, we have scheduled pre-application meetings with consultants on the Polo West golf course and the Flying Cow Road property.  We will transmit any preliminary information received from the development teams on those projects as soon as we have them.

Lastly, we continue to see high registration numbers for our camps and academies, many eclipsing pre-pandemic numbers.  We expect this pattern to continue into our fall programming.  We, fortunately, have not experienced any program-impacting COVID-19 issues in our camp and programs thus far this summer.  We currently have eleven employees out with COVID-19 and four more out under exposure guidelines.  The Covid-19 community-level risk for Palm Beach County remains high.

Youth Programs/Events:

Juneteenth – “Redteenth” Cultural Festival: On Sunday June 19^th, Community Service staff assisted with this cultural holiday event. Staff was responsible for the transportation of the Boys and Girls Club children and assisted with any needs of guests, vendors, or staff. This community event was to celebrate the cultural significance of this holiday and provide awareness/resources for the Sickle Cell Foundation of Palm Beach County.
 
Mental Wellness Program: On Tuesday, June 21^st through Friday, June 24^th, the Mental Wellness program took place at the Boys and Girls Club. This reoccurring program takes place at both the Boys and Girls Club and at our Summer Camp Programs. This program partnership provides students with the opportunity to open-up in a safe environment to discuss daily stresses, personal hardships, and reoccurring issues to enhance their mental well-being. Once per week through the month of June, the instructor will also attend our Academic Recovery Summer Camp at New Horizons to speak to the Summer Camp students. This Mental Wellness Program is going to be extended till the end of September.
 
Boys & Girls Club - Summer Academic Camp: This program was created for local Wellington Students to assist with recovery from the impacts of Covid. This camp will be located with the Wellington Community Center from Monday, June 27th through Wednesday, July 28^th. This week, Community Service staff coordinated the registration of the students within the program. The program is expected to have 30 students participate in this Academic Summer Camp. Staff will be responsible for the transportation of the students.
 
New Horizons - Summer Academic Recovery Program:  On Tuesday, June 21st, Jim Barnes and Ed De La Vega were able to personally experienced this Summer Camp and interact with the entire group of students at New Horizons. There are 33 of our local Wellington students that are participating within this program. The program focuses on STEM academics from 8am - 12pm and the Community Service staff replaces the instructors from 12pm - 4pm to engage the students with Summer Camp activities.  
 
Boys & Girls Club – Tennis Camp: This program began on June 21^st and June 23^rd at the Boys and Girls Club. We are providing a 6-week Tennis Camp for the students at the B&G Club that will occur twice a week from June 21^st through July 28^th. Community Service staff and a Tennis Instructor from the Wellington Tennis Center will educate students on the basic fundamentals of tennis and engage the kids with coordinated drills and active games.  There were 48 Boys and Girls Club students that participated within the tennis program this week.

The Public Safety Committee met on June 22^th and selected Deputy Harold Harper and Firefighter Shane Armstrong to be awarded as the prestigious Wellington Top Cop and Firefighter of 2022.  The awards will be presented to each recipient at the Wednesday, September 21^st Council Meeting. Mr. Mohammad Akhter was selected as Chair of the Committee and Ms. Jacqueline Hutman was selected as Vice Chair. The committee requested a presentation from Palm Beach County School District Chief Sarah Mooney to be placed on the committee’s September 14^th agenda.  PBSO presented the annual report.  Fire Rescue presented an agency video and provided links to share regarding firework safety.  Information was provided to our Communications team to post on social media.  NO fireworks allowed in the Equestrian areas signage will be deployed informing residents ahead of the July 4^th Holiday.
 
A “No Trespassing” sign was installed by Palm Beach County this week on their property behind Fire Rescue Station 20 (near the Landings Middle School) on Squire Drive.  Staff has been working with Fire Rescue and PBSO to address complaints of pedestrian cut through traffic between the fire station and the neighboring property at 927 Squire Drive.  In addition, Palm Beach County has submitted a purchase order for defensive landscaping to be installed in the near future.

Emergency Management
Emergency Management staff along with Public Works, GIS, and Finance met with all emergency disaster debris contactors.  These pre-storm kick off meetings assisted with exchanging important information and touring of the Village’s permitted debris management sites.  Thompson Consulting will be in site July 14^th to certify all Village-owned trucks per FEMA guidelines.
 
Staff is monitoring two tropical waves. None of these systems pose a threat to Florida, but will be monitored.  Next names on the 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season List are Bonnie and Colin.   
 
COVID-19 Testing & Trends
The Curative Village Hall location conducted and average of 175 tests per day (down from 177 per day the week prior) and reported a 28% positivity rate (up from 26% the week prior).  20 patients were uninsured.  The Curative South Shore site conducted an average of 25 tests per day (down from 34 tests per day) with a 29% positivity rate average. The Synergy drive through site located at the 10 acre site will be open Monday June 20^th.  They conducted 83 tests last week with a 43.4% positivity rate average.
 
Palm Beach County’s positivity rate average for the past 7 days is 19.56% (down 0.1%) and conducted 1,560 tests last week (down 6.74% from the previous week).  Hospitalizations for COVID in PBC at 6% ( zero change from last week), 7.5% of ICU beds are in use with confirmed COVID patients ( -0.8% decrease from last week), and death rate saw a spike last week with 53 deaths, however, overall death rate trend is low.   COVID-19 Community Transmission Level remains high in Palm Beach County.   
 
Below is a snapshot of overall testing in Palm Beach County since 1/21/2020. 

Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office
The following information highlights some of the incidents and event of interest that occurred within the Village of Wellington during 6/20/2022 through 6/26/2022. 
 
*Case Update* The Detective Bureau advised that suspects involved in a business burglary of the Van Dell Jewelry store, back on 11/19/21 with approximately $75,000 worth of goods stolen, are in custody in Miami-Dade and Broward counties.  Arrest warrants have been forwarded to the State Attorney’s Office.
 
On 6/20/22, D8 law enforcement personnel responded to a residential burglary in progress to a vacant home near Yarmouth Court.  A perimeter was set up and 3 juveniles and 1 adult were taken into custody after causing damage to the property. 
 
On 6/24/22, Team members responded to a suspicious vehicle circling the Wellington Green Mall.  Team members made contact with the subject and discovered a fully loaded, stolen semi-automatic 9mm handgun and had a past of multiple burglaries.  The subject was arrested and taken into custody without incident.  In total this week, Street Team cleared 5 cases by arrest ranging from stolen goods to active felony warrants.
 
On 6/25/22, Team members assisted the FBI in an ongoing fraud investigation and a search warrant was served on address near Horseshoe Trace.  A crowd gathered and District 8 team members assisted with transporting subjects to jail with no danger to the community. 

Palm Beach Polo Notices Update:  As previously reported, PB Polo Inc. was cited for excavation work behind PB Polo Clubhouse.  Permit application submitted on 2/1/22.  The application lacked back up material required for review.  The case was presented to the Special Magistrate on 2/17/22.   The Special Magistrate provided until 4/21/22 to obtain the building permit.   PB Polo informed staff the project would not move forward and the permits plans resubmitted to reflect the re-closing of the pool.  An extension was provided by the Special Magistrate to 6/9/22.  The permit revision was approved and the case dismissed.  
 
Sulky Way Home Update:  As previously reported, Code Compliance became involved in an abatement action on a home on Sulky Way.  The homeowner is deceased and at this time there are no next of kin.  Wellington has secured the pool enclosure, one window and cut the grass and other vegetation. A further abatement action was undertaken to remove large bee hives from the home and secure a second broken window.  Staff was contacted by Cyprexx Services, a property preservation company contracted by the mortgage holder, and the Code Officer has provided copies of the code violations.  Cyprexx Services has removed sections and replaced others of the deteriorated fence.  The pool was also covered.  The debris around the property was removed, landscaping trimmed and the driveway was cleaned.  The code officer is working closely with Cyprexx to correct the remaining issues.
 
13964 Aster Ave:  As previously reported, Code Compliance has been involved in multiple issues involving a home on Aster Avenue.  Issues include non-household items stored around the garage and side yard, inoperable vehicles, a trailer stored on the property and property maintenance violations. Dailey fines are accruing. The foreclosure action recently concluded but staff was contacted by a potential buyer involved in a short sale.  The buyer has spoken with staff concerning the current violations and a future fine reduction request when the violations are corrected.   

International Accreditation Service (IAS) for Building Department:   Building Department initiated the IAS accreditation process in December 2021. Achieving IAS accreditation will demonstrate that the building department has met the national standard and is competent to provide public safety services for our community. The accreditation will also help proactively establish, and assess goals for public safety, customer service, budgeting, professional development, and enhance the public and professional image of the building department.
 
The Pre-Assessment Document Review was recently completed and accepted. The evaluation/assessment of Building department operations is set by the Lead Assessor for August 23^rd to 26^th, 2022.
 
The assessment will include interviews with:

• Internal Stakeholders -  Representative of the Planning Department, Fire Marshal, Representative of the Public Works Department, Village Engineer, Department Director, Building Official. 

• External Stakeholder - Architect and Engineer that completed the plan review process for a new residential or commercial building within the preceding 12 months and Contractor that completed a new residential or commercial building that received final inspection approval within the preceding 12 months.

• Technical Interviews with Permit Technician, Plans Examiner, and Inspector.   The final report will be presented to the Village the last day of the assessment on August 26^th.  Pending a positive outcome of the assessment, the recommendation for accreditation will be submitted to IAS Board for review and vote of approval. 

Building Division Monthly Activity:
 
Building permits applied for 668
Building permits issued 684
Reviews performed 1,918
Inspections performed 2,267
BTR Renewals 19
BTR Closed Businesses 2

Grant Program Summary:
  Hometown Repair Program:
There are 9 Hometown Repair projects in process either for loan recording or under construction and one project has been completed
 
Hometown Repair Program funds available as of 10/1/2021:       $461,000.00
There are 9 Hometown repairs in process equaling -                   ($274,533.00) 
Pending 5 Hometown Repair Program projects-                          ($142,686.29)
Title Search Reports and Consultant Services-                                ($6,910.00)
Hometown Repair Program funds currently available-              $36,870.71 
 
Hometown Repair Program has currently been suspended in order to obtain bids and confirm available funds. A wait has been created and qualifying applicant are also being referred to our CDBG program.
 
CDBG Housing Rehabilitation program:     
There are 5 pending CDBG housing rehabilitation projects in the bidding process.

CDBG housing rehabilitation program funds available 05/04/2022-         $332,059.21
Less current 2 CDBG housing rehabilitation program encumbrances-    ($103,080.40) 
Less the pending 5 CDBG housing rehabilitation program projects-       ($146,578.80)
CDBG housing rehabilitation program funds currently available-     $  82,400.01  
  
CDBG housing rehabilitation remains open. The 2022/2023 CDBG funds are expected in January, 2023, totaling $287,000.00, of which $183,000 will be eligible for home rehab.

SR 7 Corridor Study:   A meeting with Spinoso Reality Group was held at the Wellington Green Mall office. An exchange of ideas regarding reinvestment in the property were discussed including ongoing tenant leasing efforts. Additional information may be available in 60 – 90 days.
 
Wellington Green Park:  An appraisal of the 10 ac park site has been completed.  The request was for the property to be appraised as a Mixed Use development consisting of residential and non-residential. Specifically the Village proposed this property be appraised utilizing the zoning district of MUPD.   The property would allow for a maximum building height of 72 feet, because this property lies within 1 mile of the State Road-7 corridor. The 10 ac site appraised at $5,700.000.00 or $570,000.00/ac, assuming a mix use development.
 
Town Center Phase 3:  Urban Design Studio has provided a proposal for the conceptual design of Town Center Phase 3. This proposal will be brought to Council in August for approval.

OPERATIONS HIGHLIGHTS

• Department disconnects of delinquent accounts are proceeding for those above $250 in arrears ($500 previously). Forty-two (42) customers were disconnected for non-payment last week.  Disconnects for non-payment was temporarily halted during the peak Covid-19 period.  
• Current meter No Reads caused by battery failure stand at 2,735 which is a new all-time high for Department.  The Department has now completed validating the parallel billing tests and Contractor Pedal Valve has been approved to return next week to re-commence field installs using the new automated update procedure.  It is expected that this phase of the project will finally help get the No Read battery failure issue under control.  
• Bi-weekly Overtime expenditure for the current reporting period is $12,642 (prior period was $5,458).  This is significantly higher than the FY to date average ($8,429). Largest overtime expenditures are seen at our Plant facilities due to staff vacancies.  

• WTP demands remain below where they were this time last year
  • 5.78 MGD Avg Day Demand (vs 6.4 MGD June ’21)
  • 6.0 MGD Peak Day Demand (vs 7.6 MGD June ’21)
• WRF treated flows are in line with where they were this time last year
  • 3.25 MGD Avg Daily Flow (vs 3.4 MGD June ’21)
  • 3.44 MGD Peak Daily Flow (vs 3.58 MGD June ’21)

• There are no current regulatory exceedances or non-compliance issues
• The Utility continues working to upgrade the Virtual SCADA systems at our facilities.  We are currently focused on completing the upgrade at the WRF.  Upgrading to a Virtual SCADA system which will provide improved reliability and redundancy to the SCADA network as well as enhance the Department’s cyber security posture. Both facilities are expected to be completed by end of July.

 NEW DESIGN, STUDIES AND REPORTS

• No new design studies or reports this week

UTILITY ENGINEERING PERMITS (6/18 to 6/24)

• Utility Permits Applied For: 0 (YTD 17)
• Utility Permits Issued: 0 (YTD 8)
• Inspections Performed: 34 (YTD 628)
• Reviews Performed: 12 (YTD 365)
• Fees Collected: $0.00 (YTD $6,338,890.42)

 CIP PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

• The following projects are in active state of construction. Major weekly milestones are as follows:
  • Florida Design Contractors- HPP8 and Post treatment Improvement Project- Hydrogen sulfide removal re-testing performed last week showed passing results.  Work on punch list items and painting of the new scrubbers continues this week. Demobilization by the contractor is underway.
  • Hinterland- Lift Station Phase II Rehab- Start-up of LS 10 scheduled for Tuesday, June 28th. Generator startup at LS 10 planned for Thursday. Station can be removed from bypass pending an acceptable start-up completion. Contractor is working on punch list items.  
  • Wharton Smith-WTP R & R Project – The contractor is working on demolition work in the High Service pump Building. Work continues to rewire filter pressure  transmitters, backwash valves, and pumps.
  • Wharton-Smith- WRF Generator PLC project—Site survey, pre-construction video, and overhead conduit install in the Generator Electrical Building is planned for this week. The Contractor is working on existing I/O verifications.
  • Phase II Endpoint Replacement Plan (FY22) is re-commencing field endpoint replacements this week using the newly approved automated process. Contractor expects to replace up to 1,000 endpoints each week over the next 7-9 weeks in order to complete this phase of the project before the end of the fiscal year.

Aero Club Drive Widening:  Wynn & Sons is in the final stages of the swale restoration work.  This project is anticipated to be completed by July 1, 2022.

Town Center Phase 2:  Phase 1 of the project continues.  Substantial completion of Phase 1 of the project is now scheduled for August 26, 2022.  The Amphitheater and Scott's Place will be closed to the public as of July 4, 2022 in anticipation of the commencement of Phase 2 of the construction project.  Phase 2 substantial remains scheduled for April 5, 2023.  

Bent Creek Road:  Curb and Fence (NE Corner of Oak Chase Drive / Bent Creek).  The curb/gutter/drainage portion of the project was completed this period.  Next week, staff permitting, we will begin work on the fencing.         

Coming Attractions:

Golf Cart Expansion (widening) projects were presented and approved at the June 14th Council meeting.  Upcoming projects include:  

Aero Club Drive / Binks Forest / Greenview Shores Intersection Mill and Resurfacing Project:  Construction is set to begin on Monday, June 27^th.  The paving works will be done during the PM hours and is anticipated to be completed by July 1^st.  The permanent striping is scheduled for the week of July 18^th.  We are currently coordinating with Palm Beach County to get a firm date on replacing the traffic light sensors (wire loops).  Should they be unavailable to install the facilities prior to the beginning of the School Year (August 10^th), then we will contract PBSO to provide temporary traffic control at the intersection during pick-up and drop-off times. 

Design Projects:

Big Blue Trace Landscaping and Traffic Calming (South Shore Blvd. to Paddock):  The Engineering department is currently preparing traffic calming plans for Big Blue trace, between South Shore blvd. and Paddock Drive in coordination with the Landscape improvements projects for the same corridor.

Pickle Ball Court Conversion at Village Park:  Engineering staff has developed a plan to convert the existing uncovered hockey rink at Village Park to six (6) pickle ball courts.  The design of this project is completed and ready for procurement, if approved.

Village Park Maintenance Building Outdoor Storage Expansion:  The Engineering department is currently working with the Parks Maintenance Department and Utilities Department to finalize a design for expanding the Parks and Recreation Maintenance outdoor storage area.  We are currently in the preliminary stage of design. 

Greenbriar Park Restrooms:  Engineering staff is currently completing a design for a new restroom building at Greenbriar Park.  This project will also include permanent sanitary sewer facilities, which the current facility does not have. 

50^th Street Assessment Project:  Engineering is currently managing the design and assessment reporting for the paving of 50^th Street from Ousley Farms Road to South Road.  Currently, Mock Roos has prepared 50% design plans, the final Plan of Improvements, and are currently preparing the final Engineers report.

Permitting

Below is a summary of the departments permitting activity for the week of 05/16/2022 – 05/20/2022:

Utility upgrades are ongoing in the following neighborhoods:

Environmental Services, Neighborhood Parks & Equestrian Trails

• Continue to service residents and completed all.
• Continued to spray for Mosquitos on schedule.

Landscape Maintenance & Nuisance Abatement

• Filled in holes inside Dog Park.
• Completed painting Parking lines at Dog Park.
• Installed two new benches in OSR in Little Ranches.
• Pressure cleaned the fence behind pavilion at Amesbury Park.
• Pressure clean fence around playground at Dorchester Park.
• Set up and break down of Redteenth Cultural Festival.

Building Maintenance

• Replaced a bad starter relay and repaired wiring on the south fountain at Forest Hill and Stribling.
• Replaced four fixtures in the Lacrosse parking lot at VP.
• Replaced nine fuses for lights on the heart trail at VP.
• Replaced a bad vacuum breaker and faucet for mop sink faucet at Aquatics (photos included).
• Started assembling umbrellas for tables at Greenbriar Park (photo included).
• Checked all restrooms at VP and all concession stands. Everything working properly.
• Cleaned ice machine and check a/c units at the Amphitheater.
• Replaced a bad transformer for the upstairs a/c unit at Tennis.
• Replaced a bad thermostat for the a/c at Parks Maintenance at VP.
• Replaced all a/c filters at LWPC.
• Replaced fan motor belts for exhaust fans at Aquatics.
• 1^st Fire and Security performed annual fire alarm service at Community Park.
• Pressure cleaned the boat docks and promenade behind the WCC.
• Jamie Coat Painting completed the entry wall along Big Blue Trace and South Shore Blvd.
• People choice pressure cleaning and painting started to prep the outside of the WCC for painting (photos included). 

Roads & Roadside Refuse

• Crews have Placed the Finish Lifts of Hot Mix asphalt on the Following Utility Department Waterline repairs:
  • 4733 Carlton Golf Dr. in Wycliffe.
  • 11634 White Marsh Dr.
• Crews repaired and removed the broken shoulder of asphalt in front of 1358 Pine Valley Dr.  and replaced the edge of pavement with Hot Mix Asphalt.
• Crews backfilled sidewalks where Wynn and Sons have removed and replaced the sections along Montauk.
• Ranger Construction has completed the Milling and Paving of Forest Hill Blvd. from Stribling to Wellington Trace/ Town Center.

 Surface Water Management & Preserve Maintenance

• Swale Work on Forest Hill Blvd and Royal Fern near the library and on Amesbury Drive. 
• Maintenance of control structures.
• Forest Hill Blvd and Royal Fern Dr. - Basins (7) 210 FT of pipe cleaned out.
• Performed 176 feet of Swale Repairs on Barberry Dr.
• Swale work on Amesbury Dr.
• Mowing at the pump stations.

 Aquatics and Sport Facilities

• Maintained Pool pumps. 
• Daily Pool and Tennis inspections.
• Worked on shop AC.
• Daily Athletic field maintenance on all fields:  Village Park, Olympia Park, Wellington Green Park, Community Park, Tiger Shark Cove, Dog Park Field, and Greenbriar Park at Wellington High School.  
• Maintain turf at Amphitheater, and Patriot Memorial.   
• Summer field maintenance: Aerify and Verticut.
• Replaced split rail fencing at Village Park Field 7.
• Replaced signs at Community Park.
• Installed part for Tennis Chlorine pump.
• Worked on pool spray ground repairs.  
• Ordered pump house for new pump motor at the Reuse Pond at Village Park.
• Repaired damaged gates at Tennis and replaced stop signs.
• Cleaned and prepped Kennedy Compound for new Chemical Storage Shed.

 Custodial Services

• Daily maintenance of all Village Buildings.
• Twice daily sanitizing of Village Hall Gym.
• Weekly Facility disinfection cleaning.
• Daily disinfectant cleaning of all facilities (doorknobs, frames, handles, etc.
• Maintain restrooms and set up and break down of all events, concerts and meetings.
• Maintained building for Juneteenth event.

OFMB
Delinquent Utility Accounts: There were 42 disconnects scheduled for the week ending June 24, 2022. 
 
Bids/RFPs/RFQs:

• RFQ 202214 - Architectural and Engineering Services for the Construction of an Aquatics Facility – Six submittals were received on June 23^rd.  The evaluation/short-list committee review is scheduled on July 13^th at 9:00 am.
• LOI 202215 - Special Magistrate Services.  Letters of Interest are due July 20^th.

A cone of silence is in effect for the RFQ listed above.  All questions or concerns regarding any such solicitations should be directed to the Purchasing Department.

Communications Department Projects
Week of June 20th, 2022
 
The Communications Department is working on filming and editing multiple Public Service Announcements, including PBSO New Therapy Dog, Surface Water Storm Preparations, Code Enforcement Appreciation Week, Town Center Phase II Update, Covid 19, Golf Cart Ordinance, and Why Do I Serve.

Social Media promotion focuses on Retro Fitness Wellington location grand opening, Amphitheater Programming and Events on-going promotion, July 4^th Celebration on-going promotion, Summer Camps video highlights, CROS Ministries Pantry Promotion, Neighborhood Watch Virtual Seminar Promotion: Animal Care & Control, Back to School Supply Drive, Hurricane Season Preparedness information, Utility Customer Services limited in-person availability, Parks & Rec events promotion, Weekly events highlights and information.

IT is in process of installing two (2) new conduit runs from the server room out to the street for fiber. All work is permitted and coordinated with Building Dept. and Engineering. IT is also keeping Public Works aware of all work and changes. All exterior work and trenching has been completed from the street past the 911 Memorial and under Town Center Drive. The vendor is working on finalizing the concrete pour needed outside Village Hall. Work inside the building should only be 2 to 3 days as they work in the East stairwell and in the 2^nd floor ceiling. These new conduit runs will be used for Town Center Phase 2, to fix the fiber that construction cut while digging a few months back but most importantly to add the capacity for future growth and fiber needs for decades to come.

The last of the Villages copper telephone lines (T1, TDSM, PRI, etc.) have been ported over to the Village SIP carrier. IT Dept. is working on assisting the Lake Wellington Professional Center with their phone line conversion which is a bit more complicated due to the age of the phone system. A solution has been engineered and in process of procuring and installing in the next few months. We will get this installed prior to the mandatory FCC and Carrier cutoff date.

Lastly the GIS Department continues to work on some Strategic Plan items as we await the final draft from the vendor. Additionally, the GIS Manager has announced that she is resigning to take a new position.  In light of this news GIS department has made plans and is cross training during her last few weeks to keep projects and day to day items moving.