Palm Beach County Commissioners have fired off a resolution to
the state legislature asking lawmakers to reconsider their decision
to adopt laws that force counties, cities and towns to repeal local
regulations on guns and ammunition.
Commissioners voted 6-0, with Shelly Vana absent, to ask legislators
to rethink provisions that go into effect Oct. 1 which would prevent
counties, cities and towns from enforcing their own regulations.
In some cases, local officials could face civil fines of up to $5,000 if
they try to enforce ordinances that violate state law.
Also, commissioners approved changes to various firearms
ordinances involving record keeping, discharging firearms, sale of
firearms in an emergency and discharging a firearm in or near a
natural disaster. These ordinances were in violation of the new state
law that says firearms laws can only come from the state.
In other business at the Sept. 13 meeting, commissioners took the
following action:
Airport Parking Discount – Created a discount program providing for
a passenger to receive up to a $20 discount on parking fees if they
fly on a pre-designated promotional flight that includes either new
non-stop markets or group travel. The flight must serve a market not
currently served on a non-stop basis.
Ethics Commission – Accepted a Memorandum of Understanding
from the Boca Raton Airport Authority to engage the services of
the Commission on Ethics and its executive director. This action
addresses the Airport Authority’s desire to subject itself to the
county’s ethics regulations.
Animal Care and Control Advisory Board – Voted to dissolve the
advisory board as staff recommended. Staff will continue to work with
local animal organizations, citizens and professionals in the field of
animal welfare. The division will continue to accept citizen input and
volunteer support on all issues relating to improving animal welfare.
Ocean Avenue Bridge – Approved funding for the construction of
a new Ocean Avenue bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway in the
Town of Lantana. The project also includes a fishing pier under the
west end paid for with Parks and Recreation bond funds.
Ranchettes MSTU Project – Voted to open the municipal services
taxing unit (MSTU) program for the Fargo Avenue and El Paso Drive/
Pancho Way/Pinto Drive (east end only) road improvement projects.
Commissioners authorized modification of the MSTU ordinance to
allow a percentage up to 100 percent of project costs to be assessed
for these two projects. The board directed staff to immediately
proceed to hire a consultant to design the projects and provide the
most cost effective paved surface for these roads, which may or may
not involve installing drainage to meet current county standards.