The latest from West Palm Beach commission: Alex Dreyfoos, red trolley, free lunch for kids

The West Palm Beach City Commission met on Tuesday night and took action on a variety of measures. Here are some of the highlights:

Mayor Keith James read a resolution honoring Alexander W. Dreyfoos Jr., a West Palm Beach businessman and philanthropist who died at age 91 on Sunday. This year, the city renamed the former Iris Way — the road that runs east to west between the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts and the Dreyfoos School of Arts — to Alexander W. Dreyfoos Way.

James said Dreyfoos was "an American entrepreneur and philanthropist credited with transforming West Palm Beach into the cultural hub that it is today. His legacy includes a performance hall at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, a high school named in his honor and, most recently, I'm proud to say the city renamed a corridor through West Palm Beach's arts and entertainment district to Alexander W. Dreyfoos Jr. Way.

'He was also the founder of CBS 12 News WPEC, and I'm so happy that, commissioners, we as a city were able to present him with a tribute prior to his passing. He wasn't able to accept it in person, but his family was here. He was certainly a remarkable man and will be missed by all."

More: Palm Beach County cultural icon Alexander Dreyfoos dies at 91

Editorial: In a county known for opulence, who's the next Alexander W. Dreyfoos Jr.?

Red trolley phaseout, new transit plan approved

The City Commission voted in favor of a pilot transit program that phases out the red trolleys in downtown West Palm Beach and expands free, on-demand service to a variety of neighborhoods in the city.

More: West Palm Beach may phase out red trolley, offer free transportation to some neighborhoods

The $2.4 million pilot program, which begins on June 5, brings services to the city's Northwest, Pleasant City and Coleman Park neighborhoods for the first time. Expanded on-demand services will be offered to the city's Northwood, South Dixie neighborhoods and to Jefferson's Terminal District. New electric-powered vehicles will be used to operate the expanded services.

Free lunch program extended at library, parks

The commission voted to extend its agreement with the Palm Beach County School Board to offer free summer lunches and snacks to children at the Mandel Public Library.

Since 2016, more than 56,000 children have received lunches and snacks at the library, and the extension would continue the program through 2026. The school board is also working with the city's Parks and Recreation Department to provide free lunches and snacks to children attending city summer camps at South Olive, Vedado, Gaines and Pleasant City parks.

The meals, available to children five days per week, are provided by the school board at no charge and meet the U.S. Department of Agriculture's guidelines for its National School Lunch Program.

Wayne Washington is a journalist covering West Palm Beach, Riviera Beach and race relations at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at wwashington@pbpost.com. Help support our work; subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: West Palm Beach news: Alexander Dreyfoos, red trolley, lunch for kids