Town-Crier Newspaper July 17, 2020

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RPB COUNCIL SUPPORTS BODYCAMS SEE STORY, PAGE 3

WESTLAKE KEEPS TAX RATE THE SAME SEE STORY, PAGE 4

THE

TOWN-CRIER WELLINGTON • ROYAL PALM BEACH • LOXAHATCHEE • THE ACREAGE

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County Considering Stiffer Penalties For Violating Virus Rules

Volume 41, Number 18 July 17 - July 30, 2020

Serving Palms West Since 1980

MEANWHILE, AT YESTERYEAR VILLAGE

As the number of COVID-19 cases rise in Palm Beach County and Florida overall, county officials are considering more strident enforcement regarding bars and restaurants flouting operating restrictions. County Administrator Verdenia Baker told the Palm Beach County Commissioners on Tuesday, July 14 that she has been working to impose heavier fines. Page 3

Battle Over Westlake Access To 140th Avenue North Headed To Court

A battle between the growing Westlake community and the Indian Trail Improvement District over road access appears headed to court. Developer Minto and the Seminole Improvement District (SID) have filed suit after ITID barricaded a farm road from Westlake property to 140th Avenue North a few blocks north of Persimmon Blvd. Page 4

Fair Eats Drive-Thru Proves Popular At The Fairgrounds

Thousands of people enjoyed their favorite fair foods at the “Fair Eats Drive-Thru at the South Florida Fairgrounds” held Friday, July 3 through Sunday, July 5. The menu included popular items like turkey legs and corn dogs, as well as sweet treats like fried Oreos, candy apples, cotton candy and funnel cakes. The event proved so popular that it will return this weekend from Friday, July 17 through Sunday, July 19. Page 5

Zoners Support New Rules For Wellington Vacation Rentals

At its meeting on Wednesday, July 8, Wellington’s Planning, Zoning & Adjustment Board approved an ordinance modifying land use regulations to adopt standards for vacation rentals in the village. Development Review Coordinator Cory Cramer explained that vacation rentals are growing in popularity using third-party platforms such as Airbnb to advertise and arrange reservations. Page 7

Palms West Hospital Employees Enjoy A Lunchtime Treat

MaxHealth Chiropractic provided Kona Ice to the staff, providers and patients at Palms West Hospital on Friday, July 3. The donation lifted the spirits of all of those working on the frontlines. Page 10 DEPARTMENT INDEX NEWS...............................3 - 18 NEWS BRIEFS......................... 7 SCHOOLS................................ 8 PEOPLE................................... 9 COLUMNS............................. 16 BUSINESS............................. 17 CLASSIFIEDS................ 21 - 22 Visit Us On The Web At WWW.GOTOWNCRIER.COM

Yesteryear Village, a 9-acre living history park at the South Florida Fairgrounds, has re-opened for visitors Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays in a limited capacity under COVID-19 guidelines. Last weekend, guests got to see demonstrations of woodturning and blacksmithing. Kids got to decorate cookies, while Misfit Island Rescue brought emus, ducks, chickens and turkeys. Shown above, Steve Barnard dances while “Fiddlin’ Jim” Waldeck plays. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 8 PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Wellington Council Concerned About Request For Covered Arenas In Winding Trails

By M. Dennis Taylor Town-Crier Staff Report An attempt to remove the prohibition against permanent covered arenas in Wellington’s Winding Trails development took up nearly two hours of a virtual Wellington Village Council on Tuesday, July 14. While all council members eventually voted for the measure “to move it forward,” several took the opportunity to scold village staff and stated that their support would not be forthcoming should numerous questions not be satisfactorily addressed by the second public hearing. Developer Patricia Holloway spoke for Winding Trails, also known as Subarea F of the Equestrian Overlay Zoning District. The nine-lot community of equestrian

estates was approved in 2017 near the northeast corner of Aero Club Drive and Greenbriar Blvd. The lots were sliced out of a defunct golf course and approved as the new Subarea F of the EOZD. It is a non-contiguous section of the EOZD. Each lot is just under 5 acres, including ponds and water features. The buildable area of the lots range from 2.43 to 4.45 acres. No more than 20 percent can be covered by a permanent roof of a principal structure. No tents or temporary roofs are permitted. Holloway said the roof of a covered arena must match the materials of the house and had a photographic example of such a structure. Even the lot with the smallest buildable area can accommodate a dressage arena, which measures 70 feet by 160 feet.

Village staff explained that the ordinance would amend Wellington’s Land Development Regulations to allow the covered arenas in Subarea F, as they are in other areas of the EOZD, and make setbacks consistent throughout, at 10 feet from other properties in the development. The applicant volunteered the restriction on covered arenas in 2017, although Holloway did not recall exactly why — only that such covered arenas were not considered popular at the time. However, Winding Trails has generated interest among dressage enthusiasts, and covered arenas are a coveted amenity in dressage circles. Wellington’s Equestrian Preserve Committee and Planning, See ARENAS, page 4

ITID Board Adopts A Budget Of $13.9 Million For 2020-21

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Indian Trail Improvement District Board of Supervisors adopted its budget of $13.9 million for fiscal year 2020-21 on Wednesday, July 15, along with an assessment roll that will remain flat for most residents. Finance Director Jose Cabrera said that ITID in nearing the end of its budgetary process after holding workshops and public hearings. “We also submitted the preliminary assessment rates to the Tax Collector’s Office, and they are waiting for the final rates. The deadline is the end of this month,” Cabrera said. “We are waiting for the board to approve the 2020-21 budget.” The total expenditures for the operating budget has decreased to $13,915,624 from $17,525,139 during the current fiscal year due to the removal of allocated funds for both the M-1 Canal inverted

siphon at $1 million as part of the county’s expansion of 60th Street North and the R2 roadway repaving project at $2.75 million. ITID President Betty Argue asked about the restricted funds that had been set aside, and ITID Executive Director Burgess Hanson said that would appear in the final draft of the budget. “Once the board approves the budget, we will make those adjustments,” Hanson said. “That approved budget will be distributed in the next couple of days, creating the restricted fund balance.” He added that the final budget will be posted online as well. Supervisor Joni Martin made a motion to approve the budget, which carried 5-0. In other business, the board heard an investment update from David Jang with Water Walker Investments, who said the economy has fluctuated due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “What happened in March

and April this year is roughly 23 million jobs were lost and the economy shut down,” Jang said. “There’s a lot of things going on. What we’re worried about right now, and a lot of economists are worried about, is long-term performance. In this time, you see that the leisure and hospitality industry has suffered the most losses. No one’s flying anywhere, and no one’s going out to eat. A lot of restaurants closed.” With the rise of the virus again, the economy is looking at another possible closure with reduced capacity in restaurants and less travel. “American Airlines announced that it is furloughing about 25,000 jobs,” he said. “We’re really worried about the long-term trend toward unemployment, because if you’re not employed, you’re not going to consume.” Jang noted that the consumer represents almost 70 percent of See ITID, page 18

School District To Start Year With Distance Learning

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Palm Beach County School Board has agreed to start the school year using distance learning, making that recommendation to the Florida Department of Education after a meeting Wednesday, July 15 that went on for more than 10 hours. The board heard almost five hours of public comment before hearing reports from school district staff on the details of returning to school this fall. At the conclusion of the meeting at 12:30 a.m. Thursday, School Board Member Dr. Debra Robinson made a motion to accept staff’s recommendation for a return to school starting with distance learning, and then evolving back to normal operations as health and state officials advise. The motion carried 7-0. Not included in the decision was the exact start date of the academic year, but it seems likely that the Monday, Aug. 10 start of school will be delayed. Dates such as Aug. 24 and Aug. 31 were discussed. Staff will return next week with a recommendation on a final date.

Superintendent Dr. Donald Fennoy stressed that all decisions would be driven by reason and science, following the recommendations of Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Department of Education as quickly and as safely as possible. “Our goal is to re-open schools as soon as it is safe,” Fennoy said. “I give you my word, virtual learning will be more robust than it was in the spring.” He said that his staff is developing computer learning methods that can be tracked and that student progress will continue to be carefully monitored. “There is no one solution,” Fennoy said. “My hope is you encourage your children to make the best of this situation.” He encouraged parents to be supportive of their children and not undermine their virtual learning environment. “We are a village, and we are all in this together,” Fennoy said. “We must come together and support our entire community.” School Board Member Sharon Brill said the decisions being made were the most difficult she See SCHOOLS, page 18

Wellington Unveils Budget Plan Leaving Tax Rate Unchanged

By M. Dennis Taylor Town-Crier Staff Report They say the only thing certain in life are death and taxes — but a certainty in the Village of Wellington was that the Wellington Village Council would not increase its tax rate for five years, starting last year. At their Tuesday, July 14 meeting held virtually via Zoom, the council kept to that promise, keeping Wellington’s ad valorem property tax rate of 2.47 mills unchanged for the 2020-21 fiscal year when its set its Truth in Millage or TRIM rate. The TRIM rate is the maximum tax rate. Once set, it can be lowered before the budget is finalized in September but cannot be raised.

The non-ad valorem drainage assessment for the Acme Improvement District is proposed at $230 per unit (an acre or any part thereof), while solid waste fees will be $135 for curbside service and $100 for containerized service. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office contract was continued with no change in the fee. To provide transparency as to how the staff arrived at the TRIM rate, the preliminary budget was presented, giving residents a first look at the proposed budget for the next fiscal year, highlighting plans for the provision of services and capital assets. This first phase of the budget process provides the public with See WELLINGTON, page 18

RPB Holds Tax Rate Steady In Budget Changed By Virus

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Royal Palm Beach budget for fiscal year 2020-21 will be different from the current year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Village Manager Ray Liggins told the Royal Palm Beach Village Council at a workshop on Tuesday, July 7. The proposed budget for next year is $50.8 million, compared to $45.1 million this year, largely due to capital projects that have been added for the coming year. However, the $50.8 million figure is expected to go down somewhat before being finalized at the formal

budget public hearings scheduled for Sept. 8 and Sept. 17. “This is a unique hearing in the sense that we’re doing it in a webinar, and it is a budget that is affected by COVID-19,” Liggins said. “Because of COVID-19, we do not have any events that attract large groups of people. Our senior program does not meet and is not active like it was in the past, so those employees have been let go and are not part of this budget. This budget is less than the current budget because of those changes.” He qualified that the village will See RPB BUDGET, page 18

Protest Aims To Keep Up Momentum For Change

By Meredith Burow Town-Crier Staff Report Months into the Black Lives Matter street marches and social media movement that has swept the nation, Wellington continues to be home to one of Palm Beach County’s ongoing peaceful protests, which happen every Saturday afternoon at the intersection of Forest Hill Blvd. and State Road 7. The protests are smaller than they were, and the weather is hotter, but men and women of varying races continue to brave the unavoidable summer heat, standing on the busy, southwest corner and holding signs that demand an end to unjust police brutality against Black Americans, as an endless line of traffic whizzes by one of the Palm Beach County’s busiest intersections.

Wellington’s role in the national movement can be dated back to a video that went viral on the social media platform TikTok in early June, showing a confrontation between Wellington resident Shane Meyers, standing on a street corner near the Olympia neighborhood holding a homemade sign which read, “Black Lives [expletive] Matter!!” A passerby objected to his one-man protest. Viewers watched the woman say, “I don’t want to be driving and have bullets shot at me because they’re upset because you started it.” Once Meyers’ video went viral, it wasn’t long before he was joined in his protest by a small army of supporters. Black Lives Matter activists later held a rally in front of Wellington Village Hall, and twice took turns explaining to the

Wellington Village Council how difficult it can be to be Black in Wellington. A June march from Okeeheelee Park to SR 7 led to an hours-long standoff with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. Since then, the number of protesters has dwindled, but every Saturday from noon to 5 p.m., drivers and onlookers can still witness a faithful few sporting signs calling for justice. They call themselves Freedom Fighters 4 Justice, and while their goal surpasses mere protesting to enacting positive change for African Americans in the community and at large, they still find themselves — signs in hand — ready to show passersby that racial inequality still exists. “This is one of the busiest interSee PROTEST, page 4

Protesters Jasper Araujo, Katie Wood and Tyler Diaz display handmade signs. PHOTO BY MEREDITH BUROW/TOWN-CRIER


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