Dog ban persists after split vote — Both the beginning and the end of the South Palm Beach Town Council meeting in March featured moves to rescind an ordinance adopted in September 2023 prohibiting dogs from being on Town Hall property.
Council member Ray McMillan began the meeting with a motion to place a measure on the April agenda to remove the ordinance. It was originally adopted because some dog owners had been bringing their dogs to the back of Town Hall to do their business, and then not disposing of the poop even though there were bags and trash receptacles nearby.
“I already have an idea how to prevent that from happening,” McMillan said, “besides a sign or something expensive. We can make it work.”
Mayor Bonnie Fischer voted with McMillan but the other three council members voted against, killing the proposal.
At the end of the meeting, resident Rafael Pineiro introduced a petition that he said more than 20 dog owners had already signed seeking to rescind the ordinance.
“This isn’t just about dogs — it’s about people,” the petition read. “The ban excludes dog owners from fully participating in Town Hall activities, eroding the community spirit our public places should foster.”
Fischer clarified the issue, saying that residents have been gathering at the turtle sculpture in front of Town Hall in the late afternoon on a daily basis and the ordinance essentially bans dog owners from participating if they have their pets with them. Pineiro said he would continue the push and hoped to collect 100 signatures or more.
Residents get meeting with Town Hall architects — Council members had their final face-to-face meetings with CPZ Architects regarding the design of the new Town Hall on March 13 and voted to have CPZ present its plans at a public charette on April 3.
Town to dispose of car — A 2015 Ford Explorer police car from when the town had its own police force will be put up for sale. It has not been driven in more than two years.
Lighting improvements approved — The Town Council authorized $7,346 be paid to American Lighting & Electrical Services, Inc., for improvements to 19 streetlights and ballasts at the south end of town on State Road A1A.
Trash pickup agreement passes — The council finalized its new five-year contract with Waste Management, Inc., to collect and dispose of the town’s refuse.
Fees for wellness classes dropped — The council decided to discontinue charging fees for regular health and wellness classes. The council determined that tracking the fees had become more trouble than the nominal amounts they were generating.
— Brian Biggane
Comments