Indian River Shores Town Council adopts ordinance for mandatory building inspections

The Regular Town Council Meeting for the Town of Indian River Shores, held on May 22, 2025, focused on several key agenda items, including the introduction of a new ordinance, updates from various departments, and discussions on community safety and infrastructure.

The meeting commenced with a discussion on Ordinance Number 579, which amends the town's building regulations to include mandatory structural inspections for condominium and cooperative buildings. The ordinance aims to enhance safety measures within the community. After a brief discussion, the council unanimously approved the first reading of the ordinance, with the mayor confirming that if the governor does not sign the bill by the next meeting, the council can repeal it through a simple resolution.

Following the ordinance discussion, the council received updates from the building official, who reported on the completion of a second lighting survey for sea turtles, noting that only four properties were found in violation, two of which were repeat offenders. Notices will be sent to these properties to rectify the violations.

The public works department provided an update on hurricane preparedness, highlighting the experience of the team in managing such situations. Additionally, there was a discussion regarding ongoing work on North A1A, where issues with improperly placed audio vibratory strips have led to safety concerns for cyclists. The contractor responsible for the installation is currently addressing these issues.

The town treasurer reported on the recent launch of ambulance billing services and the ongoing efforts to finalize the budget ahead of a finance committee meeting scheduled for June 5. The treasurer also mentioned testing a new audio-visual system for the council meetings.

Public safety updates included an upcoming ISO evaluation, which assesses community insurance rates, and a state EMS audit scheduled for next month. The chief of public safety reported that the department has successfully passed a recent uniform traffic citation audit without discrepancies.

Overall, the meeting underscored the council's commitment to community safety and infrastructure improvements, with several initiatives underway to enhance the quality of life for residents in Indian River Shores. The next council meeting is anticipated to continue these discussions and address any further developments.