[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6589317,"mediaKeyId","5609106-345cd9b4d94fe91257435989a7a623ca","parentId",5609106,"title","Council asks staff to research community benefits program for private development projects","audioSeconds",141,"startMs",4739000,"endMs",4880000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5609106-345cd9b4d94fe91257435989a7a623ca&start=4739&end=4880","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5609106-345cd9b4d94fe91257435989a7a623ca/thumbnail_4739000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6589317/Riviera-Beach/Palm-Beach-County/Florida/Council-asks-staff-to-research-community-benefits-program-for-private-development-projects","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6589317-d0e3bf3a6c04faad4e85af8336e1f1e7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155359&Signature=GdgpulhJ~3kd4p4aktCVBppHr9N9VXovzcwIChkygA-~hn-IE7aKOmSZVQ0JK27BEVREfBONrUsa1ZBrPeF5ikIncvR~V4fWOur3fVF8puodDZhqP0MZnCiDl-JCrlKYKcdp6XUi0lzEacl6JgaH0fVr~o2640efgMQDleJVN3sCacPeW7MD3-UIi6JzfcIfcSJJqNNQeBDwPt11ljwKtHF3y1Y2SWFQCcm2J9ZLAZqyoSeclrJ5B1ol76OOj3ETMdnK2fpal-f4PJybc8sMVncM1xn3PQDi-GhdwMTkKoRx4SmTMiM9DuIO9QAK95tixoRMCRyVv9CFe5XDDiLX3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Riviera Beach","date","2025-08-21T00:48:42.97Z","article","City Manager Jonathan Evans told the Riviera Beach City Council on Aug. 20 that staff and the CRA executive director would research options for a community benefits program to secure resident benefits from private development projects and return to council within about 45 days.

Evans said staff had drafted an initial document and sought council direction to proceed with either a public solicitation process or an internal policy document to define structure and construct of a community benefits program. \"Staff just wants to see clarity from the board that you'd like for me to work with the executive director of the CRA to facilitate...what the structure and the construct can be of a community benefits program,\" Evans said.

Councilmembers voiced support for pursuing a program designed to ensure residents tangibly benefit from major projects. One councilmember noted that earlier fire‑station projects did not include community benefits and urged that future private‑sector projects include measures to benefit residents.

Evans said staff already had a draft that could circulate earlier than 45 days and pledged to bring back options for council consideration and potential public discussion. Council directed staff to proceed with the research and return with recommendations for possible program parameters and next steps.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Council Meeting August 20, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council directed the city manager to work with the CRA executive director to research community benefits program models and report back within about 45 days on how the city might structure benefits for private-sector capital projects.","taxTitle","Riviera Beach, Palm Beach County, Florida","taxId",68132,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6589322,"Council awards up-to-$33 million contract for Fire Station 86, approves funding sources",626,4099000,4725000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5609106-345cd9b4d94fe91257435989a7a623ca&start=4099&end=4725","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5609106-345cd9b4d94fe91257435989a7a623ca/thumbnail_4099000.jpg","/articles/6589322/Riviera-Beach/Palm-Beach-County/Florida/Council-awards-up-to-33-million-contract-for-Fire-Station-86-approves-funding-sources","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6589322-4ca5a4d4dc9dec1966dbfa1295c7797d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155359&Signature=mfzlEUO0OGibGSbDIWYRqvxcG8BQBrAC-R4jCjS7ukBX49PADKiuZa8ufox~8ZxSQgTQYY8TwiEvzrBscvECm1x4P7enWwAs8JrSkowoMeX8rZNlxIKRTS3NNTM0pIAPX1bYEKh0jMKYkJGDkRABtngtm2jEr8b8iZUosmpPNQYtesgD2tmLCtiFZZUS6A1wQlsTd8xykEDrjWy7oQ6puOuxO8PvbL2vrfCdPSlemYqJykT5xpAqSAvpqemveB-8XbwiuV54t~Xnyd4FsBf4BBS6irnxwCj85RacHlrJrvPCMuygKKlf-rGSQfC41YY1KOSJnAwsCYpbdYbvNklhlQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Riviera Beach City Council on Aug. 20 approved Resolution No. 77-25, authorizing a comprehensive agreement with Kaufman Lane Inc. for design-build construction of Fire Station 86, replacement of a 1,000,000-gallon water tank, associated pump house and water main upgrades at the Singer Island site, in an amount not to exceed $33,000,000.

The resolution authorizes project funding composed of $25,000,000 from voter-approved referendum bonds, $5,000,000 from the utility special district renewal-and-replacement fund and $3,000,000 from the major disaster fund, and authorizes the chief financial officer to adjust budget appropriations accordingly.

Terrence Bailey, capital projects administrator, described the contract as the final phase of fire improvements at Fire Station 86 and said the scope includes the station, the water tank, pump house and connecting pipes. \"This contract will authorize the $33,000,000 to not only build a fire station, but replace the 1,000,000 gallon water tank, the pump house, and the connecting pipes,\" Bailey said.

Public comment included concerns about architectural features and cost. Cindy March said she agreed the station was needed but questioned spending on a decorative steeple.

Council members and staff discussed reasons the project's cost increased from earlier estimates. Bailey and the fire chief said design changes driven by resilient-construction recommendations after recent major storms and the need to upsize water infrastructure on the north end of Singer Island increased costs. Staff explained that code and environmental constraints reduced the buildable footprint, necessitating a taller, more expensive design and elements such as seawall work and elevated placement of mechanical systems. That, coupled with higher per-square-foot construction costs, contributed to the larger contract amount. Staff said building a multistory, storm‑resilient facility with elevated utilities and pilings was more expensive than the earlier single-story assumption.

The council approved the resolution by unanimous roll call.

Finance, procurement and project administration actions to execute the contract and begin construction were authorized contemporaneously with the resolution.","Riviera Beach city council approved a comprehensive design-build agreement with Kaufman Lane Inc. for Fire Station 86 and associated water system work in an amount not to exceed $33 million, funded by referendum bonds, utility funds and disaster funds; council discussion addressed cost increases and resilient design needs.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6589326,"Council approves first reading of ordinance requiring public notice for site plans and special exceptions",124,3068000,3192000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5609106-345cd9b4d94fe91257435989a7a623ca&start=3068&end=3192","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5609106-345cd9b4d94fe91257435989a7a623ca/thumbnail_3068000.jpg","/articles/6589326/Riviera-Beach/Palm-Beach-County/Florida/Council-approves-first-reading-of-ordinance-requiring-public-notice-for-site-plans-and-special-exceptions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6589326-e6be02fd47e9d54372d6c34f4171428e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155359&Signature=YsIXQ6dCeljOPbezPIOcyO20jrpPwOxviyN-WuW~Togah0-6b-9x6-wtOjC~zHRh7eVreWBCEviWR4DCsQnIROuVPyn9aNDuZ0hFk8BMz2-nZvplZO980Ks07pVqZffsiR4kGUit0D-CGoMV0OJ7wrfU~lFIY~m8F~gk02lfa8014E4V287-eS4n0s21tVg2Dhqc33579jqzbPFrxbYh5XAYS34iTofqayQ4Gm6lVKP8JGcbgoEC7zFemeybefHxKjaZ2ggYQXOsH8QES8H~WSivsQShNwKYAXrtYOQoFpA5CeePHGFCCtDr02VnV3rnuyfc~h-OdZeC42Pa10CvTA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Riviera Beach City Council voted unanimously on Aug. 20 to approve, on first reading, Ordinance No. 42-82, a zoning code amendment that will require public notice for all site-plan and special-exception applications and mandate a public hearing.

Clarence Sarmans, director of development services, told the council that the change would add sign or mail notice requirements for site plans and special exceptions \"which currently do not require a sign notice or mailer notice for abutters before a public hearing.\" He said staff would answer any council questions on details of implementation.

No public comment cards were received for the ordinance on first reading. The clerk recorded unanimous first-reading approval; the council did not indicate any amendments at that meeting.

The ordinance language as read provides for codification, severability and an effective date. The council's vote on first reading sends the measure back for the required second reading or additional procedural steps set by the city's ordinance-adoption rules.","On first reading the Riviera Beach City Council voted unanimously to amend the zoning code to require public notice for all site-plan and special-exception applications.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6589331,"Neighbors raise easement and buffer concerns as Blue Heron commercial project proceeds; staff says plan approved",1674,1951000,3625000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5609106-345cd9b4d94fe91257435989a7a623ca&start=1951&end=3625","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5609106-345cd9b4d94fe91257435989a7a623ca/thumbnail_1951000.jpg","/articles/6589331/Riviera-Beach/Palm-Beach-County/Florida/Neighbors-raise-easement-and-buffer-concerns-as-Blue-Heron-commercial-project-proceeds-staff-says-plan-approved","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6589331-0b3313f7ac0060cf214605ba7ab5fd1c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155359&Signature=WqkCO838IbwdIyu6vjknXWaAO2RkGox9aCdo6iGke1jz-gE5ksUwd6HFvy6UJn-MEdSPeRp6Lhueusz-tHPDpa0hMukgUcx10zdTSiM1szat6VD4izNWKGUOKWZO12FTl6Otl9VpYfu0G3CWq3wXyoUhXxroR04lQWqwk~flka5j9MO38-MWoKe9UWBus-dvM3d0siJo3rzdyDgYiEGCV-MeZ9ZkxWFNuTvJhqlH9MhXunexvaaCH5MGjWHd3olaOdVRjVKB-QWmVVktGXB6Z22CkR6X76Mm2WY8RG9EZBrJN74qEPsuROe6LZQDnPRwB1iSxcCF7VpEABonivM5vQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents of a neighborhood near Blue Heron Boulevard pressed the Riviera Beach City Council on Aug. 20 over what they say is an overly close commercial project and loss of a five-foot easement behind their homes.

Lynn Hubbard, a nearby resident, told the council the project “is impeding the quality of life for us” and said homeowners believed a five-foot easement behind their properties had been removed or altered. \"You can't make up different ways to take people's property to give it to someone else,\" Hubbard said.

Development-services Director Clarence Sarmans and City Manager Jonathan Evans responded that staff reviewed plats, met with the developer and did not find violations of the approved site plan. Sarmans told the council the city will provide additional information to residents and facilitate a meeting between parties.

City staff said the site plan for the Blue Heron Commercial Project was approved Sept. 21, 2022, and that the residential lots retain a five-foot utility easement that dates to the neighborhood's original platting. Staff said the five-foot easement remains on the residential properties and that the developer says it is building to the approved plan.

City staff described a series of outreach steps that preceded approval: early planning-and-zoning meetings, developer-conducted door-to-door outreach after a planning board postponement, follow-up community meetings (Lindsey Davis Center meetings on July 19 and Aug. 8, 2022 were cited), mailed notices and newspaper posting as required for land-use and zone changes. The city manager and staff said they had met the developer and attempted good-faith negotiations on potential concessions but cautioned the council that the project has a council-approved development order and that both sides have attorneys involved.

Council members questioned whether additional compromises were possible. Staff committed to circulate plats and related documents and to facilitate further meetings to explore buffers, landscaping or other concessions that might reduce neighbor impacts.

Speakers during the public-comment period also raised related concerns about city communication and the water utility, tying the neighborhood issue to broader trust and messaging problems the mayor addressed earlier in the meeting.","Residents near the Blue Heron commercial site told council the approved project encroaches on a five-foot utility easement and reduces their quality of life; city staff said it reviewed plats, met with the developer, found no code violations and will continue to facilitate discussions and potential concessions.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6589336,"Riviera Beach mayor previews draft action plan focusing on water, housing, jobs and communications",588,684000,1272000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5609106-345cd9b4d94fe91257435989a7a623ca&start=684&end=1272","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5609106-345cd9b4d94fe91257435989a7a623ca/thumbnail_684000.jpg","/articles/6589336/Riviera-Beach/Palm-Beach-County/Florida/Riviera-Beach-mayor-previews-draft-action-plan-focusing-on-water-housing-jobs-and-communications","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6589336-8d3740cb0b9c95d729ebb7197c91fc71/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155359&Signature=Bj0GWV5BVMeIffLSHx5le3RLV-UxKc2Re6k7Nt8OJ~zCNdAsBdWnlP099GIN5RBfF1V9o6LZ~yjGxOQO-9L-TvzJKlfVRNFPdlm95Pl8SU-S58lciDDGS4Wc6OCLNb1giXh8c-X7BtS9SdnjSXBBiqH~KhUE~tBSlFr1uSRyEdPPiuxVp6INdja3lQxotBrpG7K60tI4AVv964N033nZ9eUhhubUGa1j7u8yHFslq~OxGhhEz5BdyruJJ3UPv2dH0WTP0pX471FjaNsUtgk32eN-EpEZXYk2C1Ztk~9AYYsfx5E5j23AmFlsvSa~1h5oF6jzlxRuPtdKrumM~9I3vg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Douglas Lawson on Aug. 20 presented a draft \"action plan\" compiled from city listening sessions and asked council members to meet one-on-one so the plan's recommendations can be considered during the upcoming budget process.

Lawson told the Riviera Beach City Council the draft centers on seven priorities: quality water and infrastructure; affordable workforce housing and homeownership; economic and small-business growth; education and school readiness; transparent governance and employee morale; social services and community care; and branding, marketing and communications.

The mayor said the communications work is the nucleus of the plan. \"The number 1 priority outside of these 7 things was branding, communications, and marketing,\" Lawson said. He proposed expanding the communications team, hiring a public relations and communications manager and dedicating a utility-district communications position to improve messaging about water system work.

The plan includes concrete proposals and markers, Lawson said. Among items mentioned were auditing the utility district's billing systems, distributing free at-home water-test kits, park renovations (Monroe Heights was cited as an example), and a \"live-work-play\" program with down-payment assistance of up to $50,000 for city employees and targeted assistance for educators ($15,000 noted for Palm Beach County educators).

Council members applauded the outreach behind the draft and raised points for follow up. Chair Shirley Lanier and Council members thanked the mayor for the listening tours; several said the proposals reflected long-standing community priorities. Councilmember Tim Miller Anderson and others emphasized youth engagement, name-checking a planned media/communications component that could include youth programming.

City staff said portions of the mayor's list are already included in preliminary budget work and that some items would require new investment or reallocation. A chief-of-staff present told council that many items are already identified in the city's draft budget and others would be new investments needing deliberation.

Lawson asked for one-on-one meetings with each councilmember before the next budget workshop so the plan's ideas can be integrated or adjusted. The mayor said the document remains a draft and will be released to the public after council one-on-ones and edits.

Council members asked for additional fiscal detail. Councilmember Bruce Guyton asked the mayor to clarify budget markers he cited; Lawson said the numbers were markers and not firm budget requests. Council members signaled support for the overall priorities but emphasized the need to identify funding sources and revenue that are not property-tax reliant.

The mayor's proposal drew public-comment discussion on related topics later in the meeting, including water quality and communication concerns from residents and community groups.","Mayor Douglas Lawson presented a draft action plan built from resident listening sessions that lists seven priorities — including water and infrastructure, affordable housing and improved communications — and asked council members for one-on-one meetings to fold priorities into the fiscal budget.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council asks staff to research community benefits program for private development projects

Council awards up-to-$33 million contract for Fire Station 86, approves funding sources

Council approves first reading of ordinance requiring public notice for site plans and special exceptions

Neighbors raise easement and buffer concerns as Blue Heron commercial project proceeds; staff says plan approved

Riviera Beach mayor previews draft action plan focusing on water, housing, jobs and communications