Boca Raton seeks lobbying in the sunshine — The Boca Raton City Council unanimously approved on May 26 an ordinance requiring that lobbyists disclose themselves as such when interacting with city staff, elected officials or members of city boards or advisory groups.
The ordinance, requested by Deputy Mayor Michelle Grau, requires lobbyists to submit written certification identifying themselves and who they represent and to make their status known to those they appear before. That includes lobbyists who have development applications with the city.
Grau described the ordinance as a “straightforward good governance measure.”
“If someone is trying to influence a development application, the public should know who they are and who they represent,” she said.
The county requires lobbyist registration, and its ordinance is enforced by the Palm Beach County Commission on Ethics. The city ordinance builds on that to provide additional clarity on who is a lobbyist and whom they represent.
Spanish River Park gets recognition again — For the second consecutive year, Spanish River Park has received the prestigious Blue Flag designation.
The park, located at 3001 N. State Road A1A, is one of just three beaches in the United States to achieve the designation.
The Blue Flag is an international environmental award given to beaches that meet stringent environmental, safety, educational and accessibility standards.
The blue flag that flies above such beaches lets beachgoers know the beach is clean, safe and sustainably managed.
— Mary Hladky
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