West Palm Beach Commission ratifies police chief, approves zoning, small-business and funding measures

The West Palm Beach City Commission on Monday ratified Antonio “Tony” Arujo as the city’s police chief and approved a package of ordinances and resolutions affecting small-business contracting, zoning incentives for workforce housing, waterfront permits, library programming and utility appropriations tied to State Road A1A work.

The approvals include an ordinance changing the name of an office and raising the city’s small-business participation requirement to a maximum of 18% on construction and master contracts; a zoning text amendment to expand Broadway Mixed Use district height incentives and clarify how bonus units are calculated; a series of resolutions approving waterfront and development permits and easements; and appropriations to pay settlements and fund library and law-enforcement equipment.

Why it matters: the measures alter procurement and zoning rules that influence local contracting opportunities and development incentives, allocate roughly $85,188 in identified external or forfeiture funds for specific purchases and settlements, and authorize city participation in an FDOT-led resurfacing project that requires utility relocation.

Key actions and details

• Police chief ratification: The commission ratified Antonio “Tony” Arujo as West Palm Beach police chief (action recorded as a formal ratification/appointment).

• Small-business ordinance: The commission approved an ordinance (after a second public hearing) amending the Code of Ordinances. Revisions include renaming the Office of Small and Minority Business Programs in chapter 2, revising the definition of “small business” in chapter 66, establishing small-business participation as a requirement when set, increasing the maximum small-business participation to 18% for construction and master contracts, and reorganizing and clarifying several provisions.

• Zoning and workforce housing changes: The commission approved a city-initiated ordinance amending chapter 94, article 17 (affordable and workforce housing). The amendment increases Broadway Mixed Use district incentives from three to seven floors and clarifies that, when property owners request an up-zoning, the 50% bonus units are calculated from the property’s original base zoning. The action also provides clarification about maximum floor-area-ratio (FAR) allowances by authorizing limited variance and waiver review by the commission for live local workforce housing developments.

• Waterfront and dock permits: The commission approved a resolution granting a Class A special-use permit with a waiver for a dock and boat lift exceeding 100 feet at 8002 Flagler Court; the applicant was listed as Docks and Moore Construction Company on behalf of Joe Marks.

• Flagler Drive development amendment: The commission approved a major planned-development amendment for 1309 South Flagler Drive (Flagler Residential LLC). The approval modifies waivers and development regulations, updates plan sheets to reflect site build-outs and approves associated easements and maintenance agreements; George Verdon of Carlton Fields was listed as representing the applicant.

• Complete Streets policy: The commission adopted a Complete Streets policy intended to enhance safety for residents and visitors.

• Mandel Public Library funding: The commission accepted and appropriated $56,675 from the West Palm Beach Library Foundation to continue funding a full-time licensed social worker and Be Well at Mandel programming at the Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach.

• DEP consent order and settlement payment: The commission approved a consent order with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection related to waterfront docks and approved a companion appropriation to pay a $5,000 settlement using Visit Palm Beach funds.

• Law-enforcement equipment: The commission appropriated $23,513 from state law-enforcement forfeiture funds to purchase crime-scene equipment.

• FDOT utility agreement and budget amendment: The commission approved two companion resolutions to (1) execute a Utility Work by Highway Contractor agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation for city utility work related to the FDOT State Road A1A milling and resurfacing project in the Town of Palm Beach and (2) amend the water-and-sewer renewal-and-replacement fund budget for FY 2024–25 to provide appropriations for utility relocation on South Ocean Boulevard from IBIS Way to Emerald Beach Way.

Votes at a glance (outcomes reported in meeting summary)

• Ratification: Antonio “Tony” Arujo as police chief — approved (ratified). • Ordinance: Amend Code chapters 2 and 66 — approved (after second public hearing). • Ordinance: Text amendment to chapter 94, article 17 (affordable/workforce housing) — approved (after second public hearing). • Resolution: Class A special-use permit and waiver for 8002 Flagler Court (dock >100 ft) — approved. • Resolution: Major plan development amendment, 1309 South Flagler Drive (Flagler Residential LLC) — approved. • Resolution: Adopt Complete Streets policy — approved. • Resolution/budget: Accept and appropriate $56,675 from West Palm Beach Library Foundation for Mandel Public Library — approved. • Resolution/consent order: DEP consent order re: waterfront docks — approved; companion appropriation of $5,000 from Visit Palm Beach funds to pay settlement — approved. • Budget resolution: Appropriate $23,513 from state law-enforcement forfeiture funds for crime-scene equipment — approved. • Contract/budget resolutions: Execute FDOT utility-work agreement for State Road A1A milling and resurfacing (Town of Palm Beach) — approved; companion appropriation and transfer from city water-and-sewer R&R fund to cover utility relocation costs — approved.

Meeting note: The list above reflects items summarized in the City Center podcast for the Feb. 3 commission meeting. The podcast noted the actions and dollar amounts listed; the podcast directed listeners to WPB.org for the full meeting record and official minutes.