E-bike restrictions

Lake Worth Beach is the latest city in Palm Beach County to approve restrictions on e-bikes

The city commission voted unanimously to adopt the proposed rules being drafted by county officials.

The Palm Beach County Commission has not yet voted on its proposed e-bike restrictions, but once that happens, those rules will become the law of the land in Lake Worth Beach.



Key Rules Being Adopted:

• ID Requirements: Riders must carry state-approved identification at all times.
• Helmet Mandate: Helmets are strictly required for riders under 16 years of age.
• Sidewalk Restrictions: Bikes traveling over 20 mph will be banned from using sidewalks.
• Passenger Limit: E-bikes are restricted to a single rider (no double-riding).

Lake Worth Beach passes Ordinance on food handouts

Lake Worth Beach approves new rules limiting free food handouts in public parks

The Lake Worth Beach City Commission has approved a new ordinance tightening special event permit requirements — including new limits on where and how often free food handouts can take place. City leaders said the changes are about public safety and regulation, but advocates warn the rules could make it harder to reach people already struggling with food insecurity.

WPTV has been following this issue since June, when organizers told us demand for free meals was growing as inflation and rising housing costs pushed more residents to the edge.

Back in June, WPTV's Vannia Joseph spoke with Melissa Salerno, an organizer with the Palm Beach County chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). She said their group was serving more people each week and relied heavily on Bryant Park — located in the heart of the city and near bus routes because it was accessible.

"Food is the utmost basic human right," Socialist Salerno said. Under the newly approved ordinance, free food handout events are now treated as special events and face stricter permitting requirements.

The rules limit free food distributions to only three locations:

Memorial Park Pavilion
Howard Park Pavilion
Sunset Ridge Park Pavilion

Commissioner Christopher McVoy, the only commissioner to vote against the ordinance.

Read more about it...

So why not Bryant Park? They will now all be assembling there.

Lake Worth Beach's Homeless situation

New ordinances could impact Lake Worth Beach's homeless populations

Click on YouTube to see the video

West Palm Beach Mayor addresses AntiSemetism

Crime, homelessness, antisemitism: WPB mayor delivers 5th annual State of the City Address

West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James delivered the fifth annual State of the City Address Thursday morning.

Some of the main topics James touched on was violent crimes, homelessness, economic growth, residential development, infrastructure improvements and inclusivity for all demographics in the city. Also, he brought up antisemitism.

James said a notable antisemitic incident occurred this time a year ago, when two masked men used a projector to reveal a swastika and other hateful messages on the AT&T building downtown. More acts of hate were seen in other parts of the community through the rest of the year, but the mayor says it will not be tolerated in 2024.

“We swiftly implemented measures to combat hateful acts, sending a clear act that west palm beach stands firmly against discrimination and hate of any type. Not here, not in our city. Not on our watch,” said James.

The city adopted an ordinance that would result in jail time and fines for anyone who participates in this kind of hate. I think Lake Worth Beach should as well.

CBS 12

Panhandler Ordinance Repealed- Flood Gate Opened

On a 4/1 vote with Commissioner Malega dissenting, the commission voted to repeal the ordinance thus allowing panhandlers to roam wherever...bother you when you eat at a local restaurant, pitch their tent in Bryant Park and basically do what they want.

Our city attorney, Glen Torcivia was behind this repeal because of law suits. In late June, Southern Legal Counsel sued the city on behalf of four residents facing homelessness, claiming that these ordinances are a violation of the First Amendment right.

"They looked at what’s happening and said, ‘we could fight this, but we will almost certainly lose, and it will cost us a bunch of money,'" McVoy said.

Currently, it's illegal to solicit money within 15 feet of various public areas or canvas in the right-of-way at specific intersections and exits in the city." [WPBF]

They kept talking about the Homeless last night integrating them into the same group as panhandlers. Panhandlers are not always homeless. Also it was mentioned, and I am paraphrasing, that the governor agreed with them which is highly unbelievable. Maybe there is some law on the books. When DeSantis suspended a Florida prosecutor from his job for not prosecuting some misdemeanors including suspended licenses, disorderly conduct and panhandling, leads us all to believe how he stands on this subject.

Keep your Butts at home

Lake Worth Beach moves to ban cigarette smoking at beach

"Looking to spend a day relaxing on the sand and surf at Lake Worth Beach?

Keep your butts at home.

Cigarette butts, that is.

The city has begun work toward passing an ordinance that will prohibit smoking at the beach and municipal parks. A new law signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in June empowers cities and counties to regulate smoking, overturning previous legislation that bestowed the right to control outdoor smoking only to the state.

During a beach cleanup last month organized by the nonprofit Plastic Symptoms, volunteers found between 200 and 300 cigarette butts on Lake Worth Beach."

This is definitely something of which I approve and I like that the commission is including this ban at all municipal parks.

Read about it...

First Reading: City of Lake Worth to approve Ordinance 07-2022 to help Renters

TITLE:
Ordinance No. 07-2022 – Notice Requirements for Rental Increases and Termination of Monthly Tenancies Without a Specific Duration

SUMMARY:
The proposed Ordinance will add two (2) provisions to the City’s code to require a 60-day written notice of an increase in rental rates that exceeds five percent (5%) and the termination of a monthly tenancies without a specific duration

BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION:
Over the past year, the City Commission has witnessed and heard of substantial and steady increases in rental rates within the City. The Commission has been searching for ways to assist rental tenants in the City knowing the likelihood of a rent control ordinance is difficult at best given the state’s preemption of such ordinances and the statutory requirement of a referendum each year such ordinance is to be adopted.

In lieu of a rent control ordinance, Ordinance No. 07-2022 seeks to assist rental tenants in the City in two ways:
First, due to the significant increases in rental rates, Ordinance No. 07-2022 will require residential landlords in the City to give 60 days prior written notice to all residential tenants with a set lease term, or a monthly tenancy without a specific duration, of a proposed rental rate increase that exceeds five percent (5%). This ensures that tenants with a set lease term and monthly tenants without a set lease term or duration are given fair notice (60 days) of any potential rent increase before the rental increase commences. Currently, there is no law that requires such notice.

Secondly, due to concerns with availability of rentals and substantial increases in rental rates, Ordinance No. 07-2022 will require residential landlords in the City to give 60 days prior written notice of termination to all residential tenants without a specific duration in which the rent is payable on a monthly basis. The notice will need to be provided prior to the end of any monthly period. Currently, section 83.57, Florida Statutes, only requires 15 days prior notice before a month-to-month tenancy without a set duration may be terminated.

MOTION:
Move to approve / not approve Ordinance No. 07-2022 on first reading and setting the second reading and public hearing for April 19, 2022

The Value of 60 votes

A small number of voters on March 12, 2019 (1402 to be exact) changed our history forever in our 107 year old city. They won the election by 60 votes to change our name.

This is one recommendation for sure that Omari Hardy got right...He advocated for a NO vote, a guy who had only lived here a short time, had more sense of history than the rest of the commission as well as those who voted for the name change.

So, now the city has officially adopted the new seal with the changed name of our city inscribed on it. 
 
Code: Lake Worth Beach, FL Code of Ordinances     unsubscribe
New Adopted Ordinances:

• Ordinance No. 2020-03
• Date Adopted: 04/08/2020
• Description: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF LAKE WORTH BEACH, FLORIDA, ADOPTING SECTION 1-9 “CITY SEAL” OF CHAPTER 1 “GENERAL PROVISIONS”, TO ADOPT THE CITY OF LAKE WORTH BEACH CITY SEAL; AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, REPEAL OF LAWS IN CONFLICT, CODIFICATION AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

The Commission Meeting from Hell

There have been others--

There were seven items under Presentations and Erica Whitfield, School Board member, took over one-half hour telling us how and why they need you to vote them another mil--they don't have money. I enjoyed the presentation of the Lantana Chamber of Commerce inviting our businesses in Lake Worth to become a part of their organization. I don't know why we ever got rid of our own in the downtown. And the presentation to the Lake Worth Towers with 2,500 residents and the low-cost housing for Seniors going strong since 1968, reminded us of important history in our city. They are about to pay off their 50 year loan and will have a celebration party on October 26.

But the hell was about to take place after the break (which took about 13 minutes) around 2 hours and 13 minutes into the meeting when the 2nd Public Hearing on Ordinance 2018-16 came up for discussion.

Commissioner Hardy made a motion to strike several items in the Ordinance that I believe are totally objectionable as well. His motion was logical. The Mayor and Commissioner Maxwell objected to his motion (insinuating that games were being played) and Herman Robinson's second to the  motion. It all went downhill from there. Hardy, who thinks out of the box, is given a hard time by a few on the dais at most every meeting on any given point he might raise.

Finally, nearly two hours later and after listening to the public who were 100% against aspects of the Ordinance, Herman Robinson made a motion to deny the entire Ordinance--it passed on a 5/0. I have no clue if or when it will come back.

Ordinance 2016-15 hours for Alcohol Package Sales in Lake Worth

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The third leading cause of preventable death is alcohol.

Last night, there was a group of merchants from various package stores in our city that were upset with our Ordinance  2016-15 that prohibited the sale of  packaged alcohol products between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.  Mayor Pam Triolo seemed to take sympathy with them. Six of the owners spoke claiming they are losing a lot of income from this ordinance.

If the loss of income is really that great, then there were a lot of alcohol sales after 10pm.  20% of someone's business? That is difficult to fathom. Allowing stores to sell alcohol for 15 hours a day is more than adequate. Those who want to purchase it will buy before closing time and maybe it will even cut down on crime.

We know that people enter a convenience store late at night to have that last drink--buy a six-pack or a bottle of wine, drink and drive or simply walk down our city streets while drinking. As we have so much crime in our city with a lot involving alcohol, not just hard drugs, limiting the hours of sale is a good thing. We created new hours that make sense that should help and protect our community residents, even non-drinkers, from experiencing the many harms of excessive drinking. I still believe that extending the hours for our bars and nightclubs was a bad decision.

The enforcement of this new law is as follows: Any violation of any of the provisions of this section shall be prosecuted as a misdemeanor of the second degree and punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) and/or imprisonment in an authorized facility for not more than sixty (60) days. The remedy provided for in this section is not exclusive. The city may pursue any other legal or equitable remedies available under law, including without limitation, code enforcement.

What it says is, Alcohol's 1/10 therapeutic ratio means two shots get you drunk and 20 shots will kill you.  Some people can get drunk on one drink depending upon certain factors such as if they're on medications, their weight, etc. and cause harm not only to themselves but to others.

Gangsta Rap

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None of the above ever fail to bring only one side of the argument--ever! In fact, discussion or a different view is taboo...it's the same old rap, the same old tune. McVoy and Maier can express an intelligent thought and it is rebuked, criticized, screamed at by Maxwell with eyes rolling, his glare or vote.  Never has there been a more unpleasant and rude bunch of people.

On Tuesday, we only had four commissioners in attendance--the mayor had another engagement. Now our local "news" editor is ticked off because Tuesday night, because his buddies on the commission did not pass the Land Development Regulations on the Second Reading and his Editorial stated that this is "dangerous" and that elected officials "often don't care what the cost is to the taxpayer or this municipality." McVoy and Maier are the only elected officials who DO care.

This all started with the upzoning of the Gulfstream Hotel when this majority commission went against the vote of the people by IGNORING it. This majority approved of Hudson Holdings building 20 feet higher than the Charter Amendment allows and changing a residential zoning to commercial all for a developer. Because of that arrogance, we are now in a law suit. So I ask you, who is making decisions that have cost the taxpayer of Lake Worth? Do you really want to compare a $200 advertisement in the Lake Worth Herald to a law suit that usually gets dragged out by Lake Worth.

On April 5, 2016, the First Reading of Ordinance 2016-13 passed on a 3/1 vote with McVoy dissenting.  Maier was absent.  Commissioner McVoy asked that it come back as a Workshop for discussion.  This Trio already had all the answers they needed regarding all the various changes in our LDR's. Commissioner McVoy's request was denied and totally ignored and this overbearing attitude from Maxwell and the rest of the Trio cost them this time--another public notice must be advertised and meeting set.

Our local editor says that it is "political games like this that chip away at taxpayer money and breed animosity in the community."  You bet that political games breed contempt and there is plenty in this community even if the election results don't reflect it.

So you tell me, why would Commissioners McVoy and Maier vote on something that they believe is not in the best interest of the city especially when 56% of the voters said they wanted 45 feet in the area of the Gulfstream Hotel?  Why would they vote on something that they feel shouldn't be rushed through but requires more discussion and explanation of the proposed changes to our Land Development Regulations? Isn't that their job to represent the people?

Ordinance on Land Development Regulations Lake Worth

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Reading Ordinances is dry and boring.  That's why we pay our city attorney around $220 an hour so that he can read them. The only people who ever changed land development orders or a land use map is the City of Lake Worth and this Commission with the recommendation of our present Planning & Zoning board.  Our Heights Charter Amendment had nothing whatsoever to do with that. Therefore, the commission/city's argument and excuse of applying HB 537 for not honoring the vote results are not relevant.

August 6, 2013

Ordinance No. 2013-34 – Second Reading and Second Public Hearing – adopt the revised Land Development Regulations

Interim City Attorney Torcivia read the following ordinance by title only:
ORDINANCE NO. 2013-34 OF THE CITY OF LAKE WORTH, FLORIDA, REPEALING EXISTING CHAPTER 23, “ZONING” OF THE LAKE WORTH CODE OF ORDINANCES AND REPLACING IT WITH A NEW LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE AS CHAPTER 23, “LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS”, INCLUDING GENERAL PROVISIONS WHICH ALSO INCLUDE ADOPTION OF A NEW OFFICIAL ZONING MAP FOR THE ENTIRE CITY OF LAKE WORTH, ADMINISTRATION, ZONING DISTRICTS, DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS, SUPPLEMENTAL REGULATIONS, AND ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

Motion made by Commissioner Szerdi and seconded by Vice Mayor Maxwell to approve Ordinance No. 2013-34. It passed on a 4/1 vote (Maxwell, Triolo, Amoroso, Szerdi) with McVoy dissenting.

Community Sustainability Director Waters explained that it would be hard to make an educated recommendation or comment on the safety impact caused by the adoption of the Land Development Regulations because structures were not yet built. Currently 65 foot height buildings and new development had to go through a traffic and infrastructure study. If there was a negative impact on infrastructure, then the developer would need to make improvements to the infrastructure. He commented that traffic safety would improve at intersections because the current code allowed structures to be built right up to the sidewalks.

Now Staff is telling us that the Gulfstream has to have a Traffic "Management" Study six months after the building is erected.

The Charter Amendment was won by Referendum on March 13, 2013, five months before the city changed the Land Development Regulations on August 6, 2013 on a vote from the dais.

Political Sign Ordinance - Lake Worth

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3. Temporary political signs pertaining to specific elections. Which include: any message urging the election or defeat of any candidate seeking any political office or urging the passage or defeat of any ballot measure. Temporary political signs may be placed on private property subject to the following restrictions:

(A) Location: Only on lots where the property owner has given permission.

(B) The placing of temporary political signs anywhere on public property is prohibited. Signs located on public property shall be deemed to be public property and shall be summarily removed by the city.

(C) Maximum area: The total aggregate sign area for all such signs on a lot shall be thirty-two (32) square feet. The maximum freestanding sign area shall be proportioned to its distance to the nearest public right-of-way or other public property as follows:

6 square feet	10 feet
12 square feet	20 feet
20 square feet	30 feet

Maximum Sign Area	Distance to the Nearest Public Right-of-Way or Other Public Property

(D) Maximum number:

1. Freestanding signs: One (1) sign per lot.

2. Wall-mounted signs: For nonresidential use only, no limit, but subject to the maximum area of sixteen (16) square feet per sign face.

(E) Minimum setbacks:

1. From lot line of another property: Five (5) feet.

2. From public right-of-way line: Five (5) feet.

3. From intersections of streets with other streets and with access drives: As required by subsection 23.5-1(d)(10).

(F) Maximum height:

1. Freestanding: Six (6) feet.

2. Wall mounted: No higher than the building wall on which it is mounted.

(G) Signs shall be removed within forty-eight (48) hours following the day of the election to which they apply.

(H) Illegally placed temporary signs: The owner of the parcel of private property on which a political sign is located shall be deemed responsible for compliance with the provisions of this subsection. Any sign or signs in violation shall be removed by the city after notice to the property owner. The notice shall be posted on or near the non-complying sign, shall advise as to the requirements for correction and shall allow forty-eight (48) hours to take corrective action.

(I) Permit requirements: No sign permit required.

Gulfstream Hotel - Most Memorable Controversy of 2015

The Most Memorable controversy in 2015 and over the previous two years:

The Heights Charter Amendment vote of March 12, 2013.

**The  election results won by the people.

This measure amended the Lake Worth City Charter to limit buildings to 45 feet in height between Golfview Road and F Street and 35 feet between F street and A Street in a designated area of downtown, with exception to existing buildings and currently approved building permits.

It stands per Florida Statutes Section 166.031(2) and was effective on the date the results were certified, March 19, 2013. According to the former Inspector General, Sheryl Steckler, the date that the revised charter was filed or not filed with the Department of State, has no legal effect on whether or when the charter amendment is effective.**

On Tuesday night, there will be the second reading of ordinance 2016-04 to upzone the MF-30 parcels to DT, a commercial zoning that will allow Hudson Holdings to build to 65 feet. And as everyone knows, zoning changes are always political. And don't let them kid you--the casino complex is still on the city's back-burner to give Hudson Holdings a long-term lease on our property with development rights. This is dependent upon the outcome of the March election. They want to make their Gulfstream Hotel property package more valuable to them as well as to a possible buyer.

On September 15, 2015, Hudson Holdings withdrew from the ITN process.  The Palm Beach Post mentions the Gulfstream in today's article saying that this commission rejected the Hudson Holdings proposal in October.  The Post, once again, does not give the public all of the facts and NEVER writes about our Charter Amendment.

Backing into a parking spot at the Lake Worth Beach now illegal

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I thought it was ridiculous at the time of the discussion back on September 3, 2013 when it was tabled with the vote to bring it back. I don't recall this ordinance 2013-42 ever coming back for a vote. It might have fallen through the cracks.  I remember one resident thinking it was a great idea to be able to back his car into a spot.

It took them a few years to figure out that backing into a parking spot at the beach is dangerous and ties up traffic.  On top of that, a parking attendant cannot see the parking stub on the dash and it makes his job more time consuming.

November 3, 2015

Contact:           Larry D.  Lightfoot, Parking Operations Manager
Phone:             561.493.2527

Email:              Llightfoot@lakeworth.org 

WHAT:           CITY OF LAKE WORTH BEACHSIDE PARKING LOTS

WHEN:           NOVEMBER 3, 2015

WHERE:         LAKE WORTH BEACHSIDE PARKING LOTS                 

WHO:              ALL RESIDENTS AND VISITORS

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:    

Lake Worth, Florida - Due to public safety and concerns the City of Lake Worth has installed “No Backing” signs at all entrances to all beach area parking lots. It is now illegal to back into any space in all of the beachside parking lots per the City Ordinance.

The City Parking Division will be issuing parking warnings the week of November 3, 2015 to November 7, 2015 for this. Then beginning on November 8, 2015 the City Parking Division will begin issuing citations for any vehicles backed into spaces.

Please take note of this.

LDR's Ordinance 2015-12 - Procedural Error but Residents still in the dark

Good News and Bad News--

The Good news--Someone finally listened. Maier and McVoy did not vocalize their approval or disapproval in a vote on Ordinance 2015-12 on September 15. Even though  Maier and McVoy voted against this on September 1 at the the First Public Hearing,  at the Second Public Hearing on September 15, they were not given a chance to vote. It is now being called a "procedural error" and procedure is not always a top priority of this "visionary" commission. The mayor did not care about getting McVoy's or Maier's vote on the record; she already had her three votes.

The proposed amendments provide clarification, edits and additions to the following sections of the LDRs:

Article 2 - Division 1: Administration, Section 23.2-36 – Rezoning of Land and Future Land Use Map (FLUM);
Article 3 - Division 2: Zoning Districts, Residential Districts, Section 23.3-7 – SF-R – Single-Family
Residential; Article 3 – Division 6: Planned Development, Section 23.3-25(e) – Mixed Use Urban Planned Development..

On August 5, 2015, the Planning & Zoning Board, at its regularly scheduled meeting, discussed the proposed amendments to the LDRs and voted 7-0 to recommend approval to the City Commission. Well, no surprise here.

On August 12, 2015, the Historic Resources Preservation Board, at its regularly scheduled meeting, discussed the proposed amendments to the LDRs and voted 6-0 to recommend approval to the City Commission. Again, no surprise here.

These Boards are rubber stamps for staff and staff can fall back and use their votes as proof that what the city is doing is all above board and in the best interests of the city and that the public got a chance to express their approval or disapproval at their meetings. 

At its meeting of September 1, 2015, the City Commission voted 3-2 to approve the ordinance on first reading and to schedule the public hearing for September 15, 2015. The reason that McVoy and Maier voted against it on September 1 is because this item was agreed to be discussed at a workshop. That didn't happen.  This "visionary" didn't care about discussing this. The matter is way too extensive and if there is one commissioner on the dais that can explain it all and feel comfortable with it all, please come forward. Do you know how these changes might affect your neighborhood?

At its meeting on September 15, 2015, three members of the City Commission voted to approve the ordinance. However, due to procedural issues, staff has recommended that the public hearing be re-advertised and conducted again.

And the bad news is that this really needed to be workshopped with extensive discussion but they just want to get the vote finally finalized and keep the residents all in the dark.

Ordinance 2015-08 - Lake Worth

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This will be on the agenda at our next commission meeting.