The Town Council appointed two members to Palm Beach’s Code Enforcement Board — and both already have experience on the dais.
During the council’s Jan. 13 meeting, members voted as one for alternate code board member John Cohen to fill the seat previously held by the board’s former chair, Martin Klein.
Klein was term-limited and ineligible for reappointment.
Cohen, a mediator with the Florida Supreme Court, told the council that during his tenure he’s taken the time to learn about the code-enforcement cases well before the board’s review.
“I try to understand the interaction between businesses or private people, to know why things came to us in the first place, (and) not just sit there and make a judgment,” Cohen said.
During the council meeting, code board member John McGowan was reappointed to serve a second term. A private investor by trade, McGowan said the town’s codes are central reason the beauty of Palm Beach continues to be nationally recognized.
“The town’s reputation has been achieved through the adoption of a well-thought-out municipal code of rule and regulations that provide for the quiet enjoyment of all of our residents,” he told the council.
He commended the council for approving ways to streamline the code-enforcement process. Enacted Oct. 14, the changes reduced the amount of time property owners with violations are given to come into compliance with the code.
“This would make the code enforcement board more effective, and reduce the case load, allowing us to focus on the bigger picture,” McGowan said.
McGowan’s second term will begin April 16.
The Code Enforcement Board hears cases involving violations of the Town Code and ordinances, and imposes administrative fines and other noncriminal penalties where a pending or repeated violation exists.
Diego Diaz Lasa is a journalist at the Palm Beach Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at dlasa@pbdailynews.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Palm Beach Town Council reappoints two to Code Enforcement Board
Reporting by Diego Diaz Lasa, Palm Beach Daily News / Palm Beach Daily News
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