[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6701955,"mediaKeyId","5374281-421cecb81b7d7e3d99df414d8d3aecfc","parentId",5374281,"title","Palm Beach Gardens Fire Rescue highlights inaugural 'Girls on Fire' youth leadership camp","audioSeconds",1090,"startMs",553000,"endMs",1643000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5374281-421cecb81b7d7e3d99df414d8d3aecfc&start=553&end=1643","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5374281-421cecb81b7d7e3d99df414d8d3aecfc/thumbnail_553000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6701955/Palm-Beach-Gardens/Palm-Beach-County/Florida/Palm-Beach-Gardens-Fire-Rescue-highlights-inaugural-Girls-on-Fire-youth-leadership-camp","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6701955-de429da2e2686a2dea875b69a04021e6/orig.mp4?Expires=1772906595&Signature=EE-V4N452wyuyjmbfuds~0wIrAztoUNJzWtYrYICQM8P1bnMxy90VVLwXhg-QvTVnDpr4~HM-HiYUWeRz2wEl7~KHDqf4PkfZS8FTBkBVD6NOYZJjtm4yhL4-Q1sntdqmXKGWeKKLVSPXjpNB21LIy~5imIkq6QicOU7zFUjyBy8kjnsHQJZ~EJuniDxz1yafl4CmW1oZzAgd9FQPhNBphYhjGfgwEUBzvQBjfU-EAXDYAlKSKmBt0xNptmmcaYmUdUzl8gMhGxutlPvbSvt-BhN6-kyciKKj8Ysx7zuxzuUZYB1rSdn9BtAK9QB8uJVAnz4Yl65Nf5ymFh75t3r2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Palm Beach Gardens","date","2025-07-11T12:45:01Z","article","Palm Beach Gardens Fire Rescue presented the results of its inaugural \"Girls on Fire\" leadership camp, telling the City Council the weeklong program introduced young women to firefighting tasks and leadership skills while building confidence and recruiting interest in future public-safety careers.

Nikki Macrossi, executive assistant to the fire chief, said the camp targeted girls ages 13 to 17 and combined hands-on firefighting drills with medical training and team-building exercises. \"Through hands-on experiences in firefighting, teamwork, and personal development, the camp introduces participants to careers in the fire service while building life skills they'll carry with them far beyond the station,\" Macrossi told council members.

Several campers described the experience on the council dais. A camper identified as Lexi said she had been surprised at the camaraderie and the scope of training: \"We learned some stuff about CPR. We even had a day where we got to go to the recreational center pool and learn some water saves,\" she said. Jayla White told council members the camp helped her climb a 40-foot ladder despite a fear of heights and learn that \"no matter what your gender is, you're able to accomplish so much.\" Peyton Norton said the program taught \"resilience, bravery, self-discipline, trust.\" A parent, Jamie Crowley, said his daughter told him after the first day it was \"the best day of my life,\" and that the camp helped his daughter realize \"I'm stronger than I thought I was.\"

Why it matters: The program is designed to create a pathway for young women to explore firefighting and emergency-response careers, including further participation in the department's explorer program. Fire Rescue and city staff said some campers have expressed interest in returning as squad leaders and joining other youth public-safety programs.

Program details and next steps: The presentation listed staff involvement from Palm Beach Gardens Fire Rescue including administrative chief Sandy Ledewski, Captain Monica Marzillo, Lieutenants Sloan Grimsley and Kelsey Gitler, and medics Christina Krakowski and Julie Deli. Officials said they plan to run the camp again next year and to encourage camper participation in follow-on programs.

Ending: Council members praised the camp during remarks later in the meeting; some said they would like to see similar programs continue to expand and to recruit participants into career pathways.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting - July 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Palm Beach Gardens Fire Rescue presented its first \"Girls on Fire\" leadership camp for girls 13–17, featuring firefighting skills, medical training and parent testimonials; several campers and a parent described confidence and skill gains.","taxTitle","Palm Beach Gardens, Palm Beach County, Florida","taxId",4129,"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},6701960,"Council approves land-use changes, sign waiver, hurricane-shutter rule and budget cap in 5-0 votes",2636,4005000,6641000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5374281-421cecb81b7d7e3d99df414d8d3aecfc&start=4005&end=6641","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5374281-421cecb81b7d7e3d99df414d8d3aecfc/thumbnail_4005000.jpg","/articles/6701960/Palm-Beach-Gardens/Palm-Beach-County/Florida/Council-approves-land-use-changes-sign-waiver-hurricane-shutter-rule-and-budget-cap-in-5-0-votes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6701960-39498adc1c91e6783f1258e8cf3dc347/orig.mp4?Expires=1772906595&Signature=hkWe2vDWy4DC2W0mxlKh4Kmdp29zwQEHpsF4cdWb1mSecIPDHk-hvsiergooTcDaDXl3y6Z9HzCHWv2QGafqZLDTEE0sSNHNvmIY-huMRuH3p06vq2skHcEfwT4H8sy53GSH0sZSaPE5pWRp8HUfKNPg3HASv4IDbDA0-mIyioP6oats00TLdvX9RNhfbS80f2FDzkbuNfnzoUKPXvdk2Jz-MzEVBrgZNYyQwWJlnNdGRNLI-9gvutOXDfItOmWtubTp9VF0vdUaEcFU5DTl9sK2WEJVrCb2ECBZllzgpMv1knHkOZ5rpLPRY3YYC5xRHJkZa3FjsKg1k3RELGtDbQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Palm Beach Gardens City Council voted unanimously on a slate of ordinances and resolutions, approving land-use changes, code updates, development plan amendments and a proposed maximum millage rate.

The council voted 5-0 to approve a future land-use amendment and rezoning that will allow medical office uses at 4750 East Park Drive (Ordinances 6-2025 and 7-2025). The council also approved an update to the city's hurricane-shutter regulations (Ordinance 12-2025) intended to permit year-round enforcement where shuttered openings present a public-safety concern.

On development matters the council approved a site-plan amendment for Bay Hill Estates (Resolution 46-2025) to realign roadways, replat and relocate unbuilt lots and dedicate preserve tracts, and separately approved a waiver allowing a larger principal-tenant wall sign at Gardens Plaza (Resolution 47-2025). The council also set the proposed maximum operating millage for FY 2025-26 at 5.0537 and scheduled the first budget hearing for Sept. 4, 2025 (Resolution 30/32-2025; clerk read the millage resolution during the meeting). All measures passed on voice votes that produced a recorded outcome of 5-0.

Why it matters: The land-use and rezoning approvals clear the way for a medical tenant to occupy existing space on Burns Road and adjust future building entitlements on a previously vacant northern building. The Bay Hill action resolves long-standing unbuilt lots tied to an historical borrow-lake, relocating preserves and connecting the remaining units to municipal utilities. The millage-setting action establishes the upper limit the council may levy during the upcoming budget process; the council may only lower (not raise) the rate in subsequent hearings.

Votes at a glance
- Ordinance 6-2025 (Future land-use amendment for 4750 East Park Drive): Motion approved, outcome: approved, vote tally: 5 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain.
- Ordinance 7-2025 (Rezoning for the same parcels at 4750 East Park Drive): Motion approved, outcome: approved, vote tally: 5 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain.
- Ordinance 12-2025 (Amendment to Chapter 86: hurricane shutters): Motion approved, outcome: approved, vote tally: 5 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain.
- Resolution 46-2025 (Bay Hill Estates Pod 3 site-plan amendment): Motion approved, outcome: approved, vote tally: 5 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain.
- Resolution 47-2025 (Gardens Plaza PUD: principal tenant wall sign waiver): Motion approved, outcome: approved, vote tally: 5 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain.
- Resolution 30/32-2025 (Proposed maximum millage rate for FY 2025-26): Motion approved, outcome: approved, vote tally: 5 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain.

Process and next steps: Several approvals amend zoning, PUD or site-plan entitlements and do not themselves authorize immediate construction beyond the limited changes described in staff reports; applicants will still need to pursue any building permits or tenant-fit-out approvals required by the city. The millage action sets a cap; the formal budget hearings in September will present the full proposed spending plan and allow a final rate adoption.

Provenance: Council motions and votes are recorded throughout the public hearing and action portions of the transcript; the votes and staff recommendations are reflected in the staff presentations and the roll-call voice votes that followed.

Ending: Council actions were unanimous on the items considered; affected applicants, property owners and residents can expect follow-up permitting and implementation steps to be handled through city planning and permitting channels.","At its July meeting the Palm Beach Gardens City Council approved a package of ordinances and resolutions — including rezoning for a medical office, a code change on hurricane shutters, a site-plan amendment for Bay Hill Estates, a tenant signage waiver at Gardens Plaza, and a proposed maximum millage rate — all by unanimous votes.",{"_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},6701946,"Residents raise safety and transparency concerns about pool hours, demolition dust and Plant Drive ice-rink project",283,1868000,2151000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5374281-421cecb81b7d7e3d99df414d8d3aecfc&start=1868&end=2151","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5374281-421cecb81b7d7e3d99df414d8d3aecfc/thumbnail_1868000.jpg","/articles/6701946/Palm-Beach-Gardens/Palm-Beach-County/Florida/Residents-raise-safety-and-transparency-concerns-about-pool-hours-demolition-dust-and-Plant-Drive-ice-rink-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6701946-668951f8752358af1abe33a9015a19ba/orig.mp4?Expires=1772906595&Signature=fpy4~gXK6ZYbuuIaXxjRbvxDIQTtXGy4CEuJiavflZnYyUYjmapkk1F4I0HS4dEqL3XZfYrmjIZp5hyKh9P7TY5NzqwRatnt1Ar9iYyDpTIhKwT0DwoUcGA8ItrGcDv0Z3mz2q6bodHb1aJVn9FisU8QAlUMF9CXiK~d8u1oeNqvltNHcpdTJ54nNFigKSQ~eEFv8nZ-3DYyCoiKciRkrRZ3fWjRaO12A4TlYOlQv475-YCtFY912HRSdFUi8QQv6buoqef20nETNAtytaOGBLMKPcIiUm--RoU~1C~CgH15FCNIFsbXLXlbBQda6kZ2LtZkDHHvxT-XHdB3LmP1KQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple residents used the council's public-comment period to raise safety, health and process concerns tied to neighborhood projects.

Vincent Bellafiori, who identified himself as a Palm Beach Gardens resident, told the council the community pool in his condominium development remains open overnight and said the Palm Beach County Department of Health has jurisdiction over community pools. He said the pool \"remains open all night, and there's people in the pool area at all hours swimming and doing drugs and drinking,\" and asked the city for a contact or solution before someone is harmed. City staff asked him to \"communicate with our leisure services director, Charlotte Brzezinski,\" the mayor responded.

Helen Brown said demolition at an unnamed park site on Plant Drive had produced fugitive dust and asked whether the soil had been tested for arsenic and pesticides. \"Has the soil at that site been tested for arsenic and pesticides? If so, I'd like to know what the levels are. And if not, are we planning to test?\" Brown also asked whether a dust suppression plan had been written and whether monitoring would occur.

David Levy requested that construction schedules for the city's ice-rink project and related work be posted online to show when trucks and closures will occur so users of nearby facilities (pickleball and a dog park) can plan around construction activity.

Mike Martino sharply criticized the council's decision to demolish Plant Drive Park without a public hearing and accused the city of favoring the developer; he called the decision to remove the park \"shameful, almost reprehensible\" and questioned the financial documentation for the rink project during his remarks.

Why it matters: Residents raised immediate public-safety and health concerns (overnight pool use, demolition dust and potential soil contaminants) and asked for clearer communications about construction schedules and transparency about the process used to select the Plant Drive site.

Council/staff response and next steps: The mayor directed Bellafiori to the Leisure Services director for follow-up. City staff noted the city website has updated project information and a new link with materials about the ice-rink/Plant Drive project; staff also encouraged residents to use the provided contacts and project pages for details. No formal council action was taken during the meeting on these public-comment items.

Ending: Residents pressed for testing, monitoring and clearer public notices; staff directed at least one resident to follow up with Leisure Services and noted the website had been updated with project information.","During public comment residents urged the city to address an always-open community pool used at night, asked whether demolition dust and soil at a Park Drive site have been tested for arsenic and pesticides, and criticized the process that led to demolition and selection of the Plant Drive site for an ice-rink proposal.",{"_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},6701950,"FDOT rail work will close crossings in August; Palm Beach Gardens outlines emergency staging and traffic coordination",677,2543000,3220000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5374281-421cecb81b7d7e3d99df414d8d3aecfc&start=2543&end=3220","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5374281-421cecb81b7d7e3d99df414d8d3aecfc/thumbnail_2543000.jpg","/articles/6701950/Palm-Beach-Gardens/Palm-Beach-County/Florida/FDOT-rail-work-will-close-crossings-in-August-Palm-Beach-Gardens-outlines-emergency-staging-and-traffic-coordination","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6701950-5f8e6d4f4838951d0925158215a0f5e3/orig.mp4?Expires=1772906595&Signature=EbYx7IxVWoGNE0WJFCZKUxUnKbs83dAoIaqNJwT5isNFFeH6~9TqNFhuS7Wp~5CbEZfIZRXRwc1b-Q8MoqdhH2QRGPxSSKVaLExz0VegtZCXmcx6LpTXEtSQpVamd8IMABWgUlkjfmHhJ07ljZ9vRVxmPGm8A-YqnQVCM5Q6cwetomgB~KvDyIxmtvTu~psQS7fgj841JIjA8wCCPrbVxjjDA8TWDr-8wwkFycj8o2OcJsWwniQqNrgglbTNixM~tCRrsp7CiWCpPkneIflHUibuYcrjJp6U6wSVWE-cB8BuwRqeJCdMgK~TlqlqKpKY~rgDfFBFx~I3QVvFyvvhUQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Maria Marino and city staff told the City Council that Florida Department of Transportation-coordinated rail work will require a temporary closure of a key crossing beginning the evening of Aug. 1 and continuing through Aug. 10, and that the city and partner agencies have planned emergency-response staging and traffic management measures.

\"It'll go from August 1, 08:00 at night... The notice will run through August 10,\" Mayor Maria Marino said, describing the FDOT schedule and the multi-agency planning that followed a county presentation the commission received earlier in the week. Marino said PBSO (Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office), county engineering and municipal staff will monitor traffic flow; additional motor units and staggered shifts were planned; drones will be used for aerial monitoring; and public information materials will be distributed by ZIP code in English and Spanish.

City Manager Ron Farris described local preparations for western neighborhoods that might be cut off from eastern parts of the city during the work. \"We do have access for emergency purposes, 24/7 from both police and fire,\" he said, and staff will stage equipment and materials at Station 6, including road-repair supplies, trash pumps and maintenance-of-traffic equipment. Farris said Station 6 will be staffed and operational with engine and rescue resources, a district captain and EMS supplies to support residents locally.

Why it matters: The planned rail closure affects travel and emergency routing for western Palm Beach Gardens neighborhoods; the city and county described communications, detours and resource staging intended to preserve emergency access and reduce disruption for residents.

Key details: Marino said traffic modeling and alternate-route studies had exhausted many potential options and that the county and municipalities would make real-time signal-timing adjustments and provide mutual-aid communications channels. Farris said additional police and fire staffing will be assigned to western stations, and that staff living in western communities will be designated as first responders or staged to work locally when access is limited.

Public information: The county and city plan outreach including door mailers to affected ZIP codes in English and Spanish, website links, social media posts and Palm Beach Post town-crier notices, Marino said.

Ending: City leaders urged residents to plan for detours and extra travel time during the closure window and said the closure could be shortened if work finishes early.","City leaders said FDOT and county partners plan overnight rail work starting Aug. 1 that will close a key crossing for up to eight days; the city described staged emergency access, staffing and traffic mitigation steps for western neighborhoods.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Palm Beach Gardens Fire Rescue highlights inaugural 'Girls on Fire' youth leadership camp

Council approves land-use changes, sign waiver, hurricane-shutter rule and budget cap in 5-0 votes

Residents raise safety and transparency concerns about pool hours, demolition dust and Plant Drive ice-rink project

FDOT rail work will close crossings in August; Palm Beach Gardens outlines emergency staging and traffic coordination