What the City of WPB Don’t Want Residents To See!

Below is my comment that I read at the city commission meeting held on 11/25/13. I received an e-mail from a friend this morning and he liked my presentation, but wondered why the city didn’t show the pictures I presented but kept the camera on me the entire time.
There were approximately 10-12 residents in the commission chambers but I hoped to reach the audience watching the meeting’s in their homes.

My intention was to show the public how badly the homes have deteriorated to the point where repairs are not possible. This section of the city know as the Northwest has a large population of African Americans, many of who have given up the idea of a clean, decent place to live. Other residents still hoping for a city to recognize them have created a “Wall of Freedom” and residents have written their thoughts and thoughts of other’s such as Martin Luther King in order to keep hope alive. Hopefully you will take time to view the pictures. Below is the statement that was read to the mayor and City Commissioners.

“At a recent CRA meeting Mayor Muoio & Commissioner Mitchell were offended by Mr. William Waters, who was representing The Urban Group, when he responded to a question “What area of the city do you see as the greatest challenge if you are selected?”

Mr. Waters expressed a feeling that the citizens in the Northwest Historic District, Tamarind Avenue and Rosemary Avenue, had not been afforded advantages to having economic access or social justice to improve their condition. He also stated, those areas have been historically left behind since the areas were developed.

The Northwest section that Mr. Waters spoke of is 5/10 of a mile from city hall. Lets see if the mayor and commissioner had reason to be offended. (SHOW PICTURES)

The city did not cause this blight, but this city is responsible for allowing a section of the city to develop into what it has become by ignoring the problem and allowing it to continue.

Is the CRA plan to eventually take this property as the city did with the property of homeowners in another section of the Northwest in order to build City Place, with a large turnover of businesses and is now in foreclosure.

CRA under the direction of RMA owned and operated by Kim Briesemeister, who is responsible for City Hall 150 million, the waterfront 30 million, and the loss of 2 million dollars wasted with Digital Domain, which that loss can be shared with Commissioner Mitchell.

If this mayor and city commissioners are satisfied with RMA and Kim Briesemeister way of doing business then by all means award her the contract which she has already been told was her’s.”

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CRA & WPB

On Nov.5,2013 @ 3:00 PM, when most residents are working, the city held a Special City Commission Meeting on CRA Outsourcing Presentation. Unfortunately there were 6 residents in attendance, which is the norm, and the plan for afternoon meetings.

Three companies, CH2M Hill, The Urban Group, and RMA were the finalist. The Urban Group was quickly eliminated when Mr. William Waters had the courage to question city leadership, and told the mayor and commissioners the African American community has long been ignored.

That left CH2M HILL, a global firm, and RMA (Redevelopment Management Associates) run by Kim Briesemeister, who headed the CRA from 2004 until she resigned in Aug. 2013 in her bid to take over WPB CRA which has a budget of 28 Million dollars. In 9 years here are a few things Ms. Briesemeister has accomplished for the city.

City Center: Built the library and garage component of the the new city hall. Residents, upset with the project, and many believed the residents should be allowed to vote on the issue, sued the city. The courts agreed, let the residents vote. Then mayor Lois Frankel, obviously aware that the residents were not able to make an intelligent decision, rushed to finished the project and denied the residents the right to vote on the project.The city lost in court to a citizen’s alliance group that cost taxpayers $300,000 in legal fees.

Waterfront: Spent $30 million dollars revamping the waterfront. Residents should visit the waterfront and witness the lack of use. Yearly Boat Show uses the area.

Northwood Village: Turned a blighted area in Northwood into a shopping and restaurant destination. Taxpayers are paying $12,500/month for Wine, Cheese & entertainment in this area, and taxpayers have been paying for 5-6 years. If you visit this area, walk one street over to the city’s Blum Park and join the men drinking out of brown paper bags. The city will not supply bags or beverage.

Digital Domain: The city gave prime city land valued at $10 million, along with $2 million to Digital Domain in a partnership with FSU (Commissioner Mitchell’s Alma Mata) for a digital animation college.It was reported in the PB Post that Kim Briesemeister approved the deal between the city and Digital Domain, and said CEO John Textor was fully vetted. On Sept.10,2012 Commissioner Kimberly Mitchell, Kim Briesemeister, and City Attorney Claudia McKenna drove to John Textor’s home for a private meeting. On Sept.11, 2012 Digital Domain filed for bankruptcy. On Sept.13,2012 Ms. Briesemeister home was burglarized, and two laptops were stolen along with two briefcases filled with paperwork. A week later another burglary and more computer equipment were stolen. Ms. Briesemeister stated it was a private matter and refused to discuss the matter. It leaves one to wonder if the computer’s and briefcase’s contained information on Digital Domain, lost forever.
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