We want To Hear From You=Joke

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I attended the City Commission meeting held on 2/22/2021 and was interested in 4 items on the agenda, items # 4, 9, 10 and 17 and here is is the outcome of the meeting and includes information on items #3 ,5, and 6. Below is the final agenda for the meeting if you are interested in reading it.

https://www.wpb.org/Home/ShowDocument?id=3060

At the start of the meeting Mayor James asked the City Administrator, Faye Johnson if there were any changes to the agenda, and Johnson replied # 4 was pulled, meaning commissioners would not vote on the item, and no discussion was needed. The City Commissioners unanimously approved items 3, 5 and 6.

# 3. City Commission approval is requested for appointment of Kevin Volbrecht and Cristine Perdomo as a member to the Palm Beach Transportation Planning Agency Technical Advisory Committee.

# 5. City Commission approval is requested for the Mayor’s reappointment of Ms. Bonni S. Jensen to the Golf Course Advisory Committee.

# 6. City Commission approval is requested for the Mayor’s appointment of Christopher Chase to the West Palm Beach Housing Authority.

# 4. (pulled from the agenda) City Commission approval is requested for the Mayor’s reappointment of Dr. Deandre J. Poole to the Criminal Justice Advisory Committee for a term of two years (2) that expires on March 8, 2023. Dr. Poole has served over the maximum allowed number of terms (3), and it is required that the City Commission confirms his reappointment. Agenda Cover Memorandum No.: 23219.

Dr. Deandre J. Poole is running for District 2 City Commission seat after Commissioner Cory Neering chose not to seek re-election. Keith James has endorsed another candidate and although Mr. Poole has served for 6 years on the Criminal Justice Advisory Committee and was to be reappointed for another 2 year year term, James has decided to pull item # 4 from the agenda.

Why would James pull the item? I can only think of one reason he didn’t want to highlight any of Mr. Poole’s accomplishments.

The city allows residents to speak on any item for 3 minutes and I submitted cards to speak on item 9 & 10 which can be read below.

9. Resolution No. 219-20 authorizing the assessment of city liens in the total amount of $36,593.58 for unpaid water service, sewer service, and stormwater service charges for the month of May 2020.
Background: In accordance with the Code of Ordinances of the City of West Palm Beach, Florida, 2003, Sections 90-4 and 90-5, the City imposes liens on private real property for delinquent payments due for utility services. The liens to be assessed by Resolution No. 219-20 are for unpaid water service, sewer service, and stormwater service charges for the month of May 2020. The list of properties to be assessed and the associated charges are in Resolution No. 219-20 as EXHIBIT A – Utility Lien List – May 2020. If not paid, these liens may be foreclosed by the City.

I asked James if he was going to foreclose on these homes because people were unable to pay their water bill, then I just waited for an answer that never came.

10. Resolution No. 36-21 authorizing the assessment of city liens in the total amount of $27,010.60 for unpaid water service, sewer service, and stormwater service charges for the month of August 2020.
Background: In accordance with the Code of Ordinances of the City of West Palm Beach, Florida, 2003, Sections 90-4 and 90-5, the City imposes liens on private real property for delinquent
payments due for utility services. The liens to be assessed by Resolution No. 36-21 are for unpaid water service, sewer service, and stormwater service charges for the month of August 2020. The list of properties to be assessed and the associated charges totaling $27,010.60 are in Resolution No. 36-21 as EXHIBIT A – Utility Lien List – August 2020.
If not paid, these liens may be foreclosed by the City.

#10 was basically the same with only the month and dollar amount changed. James refused to allow me to speak to item 10 and when I protested he asked for an opinion of City Attorney Kim Rothenburg and I honestly didn’t hear her reply due to her mask, and I emailed her.

“At last nights CC meeting James would not allow me to speak to item 10 and when I protested he asked for your opinion which you gave. Unfortunately wearing a mask I did not hear your response. Could you please let me know what you said?

“Sorry you were unable to hear me. I will be sure to speak louder next time. I will listen to the tape and let you know exactly what I said, but my recollection is that I advised the Mayor that public comment for the consent agenda could be limited to three minutes based on the rules adopted by the Commission relating to public comment.”

When she finished I asked James if I could speak to item 10. He said no, I was done. What’s the next step for James, figure out a way to eliminate public speaking altogether?

Mayor James answer’s to no one, listens to no one and never explains his actions. Is WPB a strong mayor form of government or a dictatorship?

If the people who say they support Deandre J. Poole actually go to the polls and vote WPB is one step closer to healing.

Deandre Poole receives two key endorsements from the Hispanic community.