Achievements

Benny’s on the Beach Lease

• Improved Lease Agreement Value: Advocated for the city as it successfully renegotiated the ten-year lease terms with Benny’s on the Beach, improving the lease agreement’s value by an additional $1.3 million compared to the initial draft. A much better deal for our city! This revised agreement brings Benny’s in line with other restaurants at the casino, ensuring equitable payment per square foot.

Investment in Benny’s on the Beach Building

• Benefits all beachfront properties: The increased revenue from the lease will allow the city to invest in – and maintain – our beachfront property.

Casino Building Update

• Business Opportunities: Currently the city is relocating the lifeguards from the upper level of the casino building to create business opportunities.

Beachfront Ownership Stance

• Anti-Monopoly: Strongly opposed to any form of monopolization or privatization of the city’s beachfront, ensuring it remains publicly owned.

In our city, we’re growing with a focus on community integrity and sustainable growth.

Strategic Growth

• Character protection: We’ve channeled higher building heights and densities towards main roads, protecting the character and tranquility of our residential neighborhoods.

Fair Contributions for Development

• Developers need to contribute: We’ve shifted from offering developers incentives to requiring them to contribute to a community fund. This fund is for supporting mobility enhancements, park developments, and creating more affordable rental units.

Affordability in New Developments

• Affordable housing requirements: Lobbied for and approved a policy which now mandates that developers include affordable housing components, ensuring that economic growth benefits all residents.

Housing Solutions

• Senior Living: We’ve greenlit affordable housing for seniors, acknowledging the needs of our aging population.
• Supporting Women: Approval of Burkle Place III underscores our commitment to providing stable housing for women of all ages leaving homelessness, in collaboration with The Lord’s Place, a leading Palm Beach County non-profit.

Preserving Downtown’s Charm: 

• No more L&M: We listened to you and halted the L & M Project, ensuring that our downtown remains a place for all residents to enjoy.

Investment in Affordability

• More affordable housing: We approved $2 million towards creating more affordable housing options within our city.

The Buy Down Program

• More affordable housing: Through our Buy Down Program, we’re enabling the construction of additional affordable units, exceeding initial plans and expectations by allowing the developer, the CRA, and the city to buy down the cost of units.

Housing Grant

• More affordable housing: This $750,000 grant is being directed towards the creation of genuinely affordable housing options for our workforce.

Support During Uncertainty

• Protecting you during COVID: We approved $50,000 to the Legal Aid society, upholding the rights of renters and preventing evictions during the challenging times of the Covid pandemic.

Our dedication to preserving the natural beauty and health of our environment is unwavering. We have taken action to ensure that our green spaces, waterways, and wildlife are protected for future generations.

Waterway Conservation

• Halting the C51 Canal Boat Lift: We successfully opposed the construction of a boat lift in the C51 Canal, safeguarding the delicate aquatic ecosystem.

Clean Air and Spaces

• Smoke-Free Parks and Beaches: In a move to promote public health and clean air, we have implemented a smoking ban at our parks and beaches, ensuring cleaner spaces and air for all residents and visitors to enjoy.
• Drone Regulation to Protect Wildlife: To protect our cherished bird species like the Oyster Catchers, we have prohibited the launch of drones in close proximity to their habitats, helping to prevent disturbances and stress to wildlife.

Greening Our Community

• Tree Planting in Bryant Park: Demonstrating our dedication to a greener environment, we’ve approved the planting of additional trees in Bryant Park. This initiative not only enriches the park’s natural canopy but also contributes to better air quality and creates more shaded spaces for leisure activities.

Through these initiatives, we are creating an environmentally responsible city that balances progress with preservation, ensuring a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable community for all.

Our vision for the city’s parks is expansive, aiming not only to enhance their beauty but also to make them centers of vibrant community life. Here’s how we’re making strides in green space improvement:

Urban Greening Initiative

• Tree Planting on Public Lands: We’re planting a diverse array of trees, enriching biodiversity, and creating a greener environment for everyone to enjoy.

Investment in Recreation Spaces

• Spillway Park Revitalization Fund: We’ve allocated $150,000 towards the enhancement of Spillway Park, ensuring it remains a cherished spot for leisure and play for families and individuals alike.

Strategic Planning for Future Grants

• Parks and Open Spaces Strategy Study: By funding a comprehensive study of our parks and open spaces, we’re laying the groundwork to secure State and Federal grants. This proactive measure aims to unlock potential funding sources that will enable us to further enrich our community’s green spaces and recreational facilities.

Our commitment to historic preservation is evidenced by the careful renovation and modernization of iconic community landmarks, ensuring they stand the test of time while maintaining their historic integrity.

Restoration and Modernization

• City Hall Annex and Library Revitalization: We’ve breathed new life into the City Hall Annex and the Library, restoring these key historical structures to their former glory while incorporating modern amenities for enhanced public use.
• Added Librarian: To further our service to the community and extend operating hours, we added another dedicated librarian. This ensures that our library remains accessible to more people.

Making Sensible Changes

• Updated Standards for Historic Homes: Recognizing the importance of preserving the character of historic homes while also protecting them from extreme weather, we have updated the standards for hurricane-proof windows for homes in historic neighborhoods. This ensures they align with the best of current market offerings, providing safety without compromising on style.

With these initiatives, we uphold our heritage while embracing the necessary changes that ensure our community’s resilience and the longevity of our treasured historical sites.

Progressive Noise Ordinance Policy

• Incremental fines: Addressing noise complaints has been streamlined for efficiency and fairness. Previously, police officers faced a dilemma with noise disturbances: they could only issue a warning or escalate to a criminal citation, potentially leading to court proceedings for minor infractions. Our commission has now implemented a progressive civil citation process, allowing for incremental fines that reflect the severity and frequency of the offense. This ensures that residents’ quality of life is protected without overburdening the judicial system.

The Recovery Hub: A Beacon of Hope at 1120 Lucerne Ave.

• Support for those in recovery: Through proactive outreach in the county, the Recovery Hub has been successfully steered to our city. The Recovery Hub at 1120 Lucerne Avenue is more than a center—it’s a transformative space dedicated to healing and recovery. As a key component of Palm Beach County’s innovative response to the opioid crisis, the Hub stands as a testament to our commitment to supporting those on the journey to recovery. It provides a nexus for resources, assistance, and compassionate support, all within a welcoming environment that celebrates each step towards a healthier life. This initiative underscores our pledge to improve public health and safety through collaborative and community-focused efforts.

Championing Diversity and Inclusion

• LGBTQ+ support: In a groundbreaking move, Lake Worth Beach has proudly declared itself a sanctuary for the LGBTQ+ community, the first city in Florida to make such a commitment. This unanimous decision by the commissioners is a testament to our city’s unwavering support for inclusivity and protection of all its residents.

• Safety: This declaration is not merely symbolic; it’s a response to the concerns voiced by our citizens about the recent state legislation. It’s an assurance of safety and a pledge to maintain our city as a haven for diversity. By taking this action, we’ve sent a powerful message of unity and safety, assuring all—whether they are residents or visitors—that they are welcomed and embraced in our community.

Preserving Community Roots

• Guatemalan Mayan Center: Complementing our stand for the LGBTQ+ community, we’ve also worked diligently to ensure that the essential non-profit organization, the Guatemalan Mayan Center, can continue to thrive in Lake Worth Beach. Recognizing the invaluable services they provide, we expedited the zoning change necessary for the non-profit to relocate and start serving our community without delay. This center is a lifeline for countless individuals and families, offering support, resources, and a sense of belonging.

Parrot Cove Stormwater Resilience Project

• Flood Mitigation: Moving forward with our comprehensive stormwater master plan, we’re targeting the critical issue of tidal and rainfall-induced flooding identified in the Southeast Palm Beach County Coastal Resilience Partnership’s Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment. By installing outfall check valves, we aim to bolster our stormwater system’s efficiency, keeping our neighborhoods, businesses, and the beloved golf course free from the disruption of king tides and sea level rise. This endeavor, backed by a matching grant of $450,000, is a stride towards securing a sustainable future for Lake Worth Beach, safeguarding our residents and environment from climate-related challenges.

18th Avenue South Flooding Mitigation

• New Pump System: In response to persistent flooding along 18th Avenue South, the city has embarked on a pivotal $1 million infrastructure project. This initiative will replace an outdated water pump with a modern, robust system capable of managing the challenges of king tides and heavy rainfall. The new, permanent pump installation will significantly mitigate flooding risks, ensuring the safety and preservation of our community’s properties.

Flood Prevention

• Additional Street Sweeper: Investing in an extra street sweeper aids in flood prevention by keeping drains clear of debris, reducing potential blockages in the stormwater system, and managing sediment buildup. This proactive measure not only prevents water from accumulating on streets but also cuts down on the costs of emergency flood responses.

The City Commission cast a unanimous and historic vote in favor of the restoration of the iconic Gulfstream Hotel. This decision marks a pivotal moment in our city’s commitment to preserving its cultural heritage while fostering economic growth.

The Gulfstream Hotel, a cherished landmark, is set to be revitalized and restored to its original splendor.

For ongoing updates on the progress of the Gulfstream Hotel project and to witness the transformation unfold, please visit our dedicated information page:

Visit the Gulfstream Hotel Project Updates

We were instrumental in revitalizing the governmental framework of Lake Worth Beach by spearheading the creation of a Charter Review Committee. After delay by the previous commission, the Charter Review Board was established, reflecting our commitment to transparency, accountability, and progress.

Updates and Referendums

The committee proposed several critical amendments to modernize our city’s charter, which were then brought forward to the residents of Lake Worth Beach for a vote. The following updates were included in the ballot:

• Term Limits for Elected Officials – This amendment proposed to limit the terms of city officials, introducing a cap of twelve consecutive years of service, with a maximum of two consecutive full terms for the positions of mayor or commissioner. The goal was to promote fresh perspectives in office and ensure a dynamic, responsive government​​.
• Run-off Election Concessions – The charter amendment allowed a candidate eligible for a run-off to concede within 48 hours of election certification. This change aimed to streamline the electoral process and eliminate unnecessary run-off elections when outcomes were apparent​​
• Single-Member District Voting – To ensure that each area of Lake Worth Beach is fairly represented, an amendment was proposed for commissioners to be elected by voters in their respective districts, while still representing the city at large. The mayor would continue to be elected by all city voters​​.
• Commission Vacancy Appointments – This update to the charter sought to clarify the procedure for filling commission vacancies, mandating that an appointment must be made at least 24 hours before the qualifying period for the next city election​.

These changes were carefully crafted to reflect the needs and desires of our constituents, aiming to enhance the way our city is governed.

Community Involvement

The establishment of the Charter Review Committee and the subsequent vote on its recommendations exemplify our dedication to civic engagement and democratic process. Residents of Lake Worth Beach were invited to apply for the committee, ensuring a diverse representation of our community’s voice​​.

In an effort to bring government closer to the people, the commission has implemented a series of rotating town halls, ensuring that every district in Lake Worth Beach has a voice. This initiative breaks a decade-long hiatus, with two successful town halls held across various districts in the last three years.

Why Rotating Town Halls?

• Accessibility: Rotating locations make it convenient for more residents to attend and participate.
• Equity: Each district has unique concerns. These town halls ensure that all neighborhoods have an equal opportunity to be heard.
• Transparency: Regular, decentralized town halls allow for greater accountability of city officials.
• Community Building: They foster a sense of community and mutual respect among the diverse populations of our city.

By hosting town halls in each of the four districts, we acknowledge the distinct identity and needs of each community, reinforcing our commitment to inclusive governance.

Join us as we continue to rotate through the heart of our city, listening, learning, and laying the groundwork for a united Lake Worth Beach.