Below is a summary of some of the approvals and decisions made by the City Commission at a meeting on Monday, June 1, 2020. To watch meetings live or to watch recorded meetings on-demand, please visit: https://www.wpb.org/government/communications/wpb-tv18/watch-wpb-tv18-live or https://www.wpb.org/government/communications/wpb-tv18/watch-the-latest-city-commission-meeting

• Approved authorizing the appropriation or transfer of funds from CRA CIP projects to the Art in Public Places Fund totaling $120,091 to commission multiple artists to create a variety of public artworks for the Heart & Soul Park in the Northwest Historic District. The allocation of funds would allow for the publication of a Call to Artists for the park. The purpose of the art in public places program is to establish a program for the integration of public art into both public and private development projects throughout the City to visually enliven the City, illuminate the City's history, diversity, and culture, and foster economic development.
• Approved authorizing the appropriation of funds ($90,000) to commission 15 artists as part of the COVID-19 Artist Relief Initiative: The Commons: 15 Artists 15 Locations. The Art in Public Places Committee is dedicated to supporting our creative sector by providing artist opportunities at this critical moment in time. 15 multidisciplinary artists will be commissioned to create temporary works that address our community’s need to connect in public spaces. Public spaces inherently connect us to one another. COVID-19 has changed our public environment. The project creates responsive opportunities for our artist community to reimagine our commons and to help re-build our sense of community after isolation and do so safely, and in solidarity.
• Approved the continued provision of Child Care Services at Coleman, Gaines, Howard and South Olive Community Centers and authorized the Mayor to sign a State of Florida Statewide School Readiness Provider Contract for school readiness services.
• Approved ratifying the submittal of an application to the Department of Homeland Security for a SAFER Grant to fund the salaries for 28 new firefighters for three years. The City of West Palm Beach Fire Department desires to apply for a FEMA Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant. If awarded, the funding will enable the organization to hire, train, and support these personnel with matching funds from the City. These firefighters will be able to provide all the necessary emergency and non-emergency service delivery as other employees currently with the department.
• Approved authorizing the submittal of an application for an Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) CARES Act Grant for providing services to support the West Palm Beach Community in its COVID-19 relief and recovery efforts. The goal of the FY2020 IMLS CARES Act Grants is to support the role of museums and libraries in responding to the Coronavirus pandemic. The Mandel Public Library wants to provide services to community members who are having a difficult time due to COVID-19. The library is considering programs aimed at providing services to the community such as homework assistance, internet access, one-on-one job assistance, bringing library materials to citizens, and conducting storytimes (pop-up tents).
• Approved authorizing the submittal of an application to the Florida Department of Transportation through the Palm Beach Transportation Planning Agency for a Local Initiatives grant to fund construction of a Complete Streets design for Mercer Avenue from Centrepark Boulevard to Australian Boulevard. Residents will have an opportunity to provide feedback during the design phase of this project. The project goal is to provide and increase the safety of all users while upgrading critical underground infrastructures. The Local Initiatives grant program requires a City match of approximately $2.6 million for design, permitting and construction engineering inspection for the Mercer Avenue project.

For a complete list of the approvals and decisions made at the June 1, 2020 City Commission Meeting, please click here to view the pass/fail agenda.