Artificial Turf Have Residents Damn Mad
City Commission Meeting held on June 28,2021 residents waited for a chance to address the Mayor and City Commissioners and complained about Code Enforcement filing complaint’s against homeowners for installing Synthetic grass in their front yard.
They were ordered to remove it or face very steep fines and many residents already owe thousands of dollars to the City for non-compliance.
I will make this simple for the benefit of the Mayor who receives all stories poster on WPB Watch. When you purchase a home you have 4 sides to your property, the front, back and 2 sides. Below is a picture of Synthetic grass.
The City allows homeowners to place Synthetic grass in the back yard, and both sides of their home. The City does not allow Synthetic grass in the front of their home. To my knowledge the City does not explain it’s reason.
“Synthetic lawns help in saving the surrounding air and soil from further pollution of harmful chemicals that usually come along with keeping a well-manicured, natural lawn.
Water conservation: Synthetic grass makes it easy to comply, dramatically reducing water usage without sacrificing aesthetic standards set by homeowners’ associations. Conserving water is not only Eco-friendly, it’s budget-friendly, in a big way.
Non-allergenic, Synthetic grass doesn’t grow. Goodbye, grass pollen.
No harmful chemical residues. Synthetic turf requires no herbicides, pesticides, or fertilizers to remain beautiful and bug-free. That’s safer for your family, and safer for the environment. thanks to eliminating the expense of ongoing lawn care. After that, it’s all savings. Plus, an attractive grass lawn boosts the resale value of your home.”
It is my understanding Synthetic grass is quite expensive to purchase and install, and the City comes along and demands you remove it, no wonder homeowners are upset, all except one who was damn mad. I enclosed the meeting video, and if you don’t want to listen to all of it please move cursor to time 1:16:18 to listen to residents ask the City for relief.
City Commissioner Lambert after listening to residents, asked the Mayor to set a workshop to discuss the issue. The audience applauded her realizing someone not only heard their concerns, but was willing to discuss it. Good for her.
I have spent a small fortune over the years on my lawn with fertilizers, pest and weed control. This is a picture of my back yard with my dog KC, and she is the reason I would not use Synthetic grass in my back yard where the City would allow it. Can’t imagine picking up the mess.
Time To Open the City Commission Chambers?
May 20 & 21 the meeting with the Special Magistrate and Fire Fighters were in negotiations for new contract. Meeting is always held in Commission Chambers. I arrived in time and entered the room to find it full of people, sitting shoulder to shoulder.
A woman in the back of the room jumped from her chair and walked me right back out the door, asking what I was looking for. I explained why I was there and she told me this was not the meeting I was looking for.
The reason I mention this is due to the fact seating in the chamber’s is still limited to a few people with most of the seats roped off with yellow crime tape, and signs on the back of the chairs telling us not to sit there.
My question is why were people sitting shoulder to shoulder on May 20th. and roped off again for City Commission meetings?
My opinion it controls the number of residents who attend meetings to question the City’s decisions, and residents opinion on any subject.
Mayor James when first elected moved Public Comment to the end of the meetings, and there have been times when residents waited hours to address elected officials.
I have enclosed a picture of the seating and the masking tape to secure the yellow crime tape back to the arm rest after the May 20th. meeting.
I rode down the elevator, and a large poster listing 19 events being held in the City was posted. Everything open but City Hall Chambers. City Administrator Johnson. Mayor James and Commissioner Warren sat on the dais mask less. Time for the remainder of officials to lose the mask.
Watch the meeting here, for residents comments and one very outspoken resident. Starting time 1:16:18
https://www.wpb.org/government/communications/wpb-tv18/watch-the-latest-city-commission-meeting
The end!
City Commission Meeting Held 6/14/2021
“When you talk, you are only repeating what you already know. But if you listen, you may learn something new.” Dalai Lama XIV
“When Your Talking, You Are Teaching. When You Are Listening You Are Learning.” Author unknown.
Her name is Becky Harris and she traveled from Stuart Florida to WPB in order to address the Mayor and City Commissioners on the blue-green algae problem and was the last resident to speak on non-agenda items All residents are allotted 3 minutes to make their case.
Ms. Harris spoke on the problem and mentioned her dog was violently ill, and was grateful her pet had survived while other loved pets did not.
She quoted information, and included documentation she had received from a study in toxins along with an analysis from the Green Water Lab and left copies of the report with the city.
She began speaking on Plan CC (I have no idea, but was anxious to hear it) and she encouraged the Mayor and Commissioners to look into it and work with the Army Corps who has something to do with Plan CC.
Her magical 3 minutes ended and James said a total of 8 times “your time is up thank you” the last time he said “your time is up” I could hear the anger in his voice. She left the podium.
Public comment is over and it’s time for Commissioner’s comment. Commissioner Peduzzi was absent and James allowed Commissioner Lambert to start.
Lambert started with a joke, and asked James if she could include Commissioner Peduzzi time to speak.
James response “You know there are no time limits on you guy’s, speak all night”
Lambert, who has aspirations for the Mayor’s seat, does have a tendency to speak longer than other Commissioners.
How do you think Becky Harris felt hearing James make that comment to Lambert? Talk about lack of respect.
Whatever she was attempting to bring to the Mayor and City Commissioners attention, possibly give him information he didn’t have was dismissed by James. The press who is doing a great job staying on the story will not be dismissed so easily.
Wayne Washington is the Palm Beach County government reporter for The Palm Beach Post. He is a veteran reporter of 25 years, and has stepped into Tony Doris’s shoes and will cover stories for the City of WPB. Wayne has written stories on the water crisis and his newest story can be read below.
Where is Tony Doris?
Tony Doris is now the Editorial Page Editor. Tony’s writing will consists of editorials, which go without a byline. He’s responsible for all of the opinion page material, from editorials to letters to the editor and columnist selections. I wish him good cheer in his new endeavor.
Below are excerpts from the recent Wayne Washington story on the water situation. and my comments are in Italics.
James: “The letter from the Department of Health is not the final say on this matter, OK? It’s like filing a complaint in court. The defendant gets a chance to make their case, and that’s what we will do when we go meet with the Department of Health armed with the data that we have available.”
The problem I have with his approach is that he is defending his actions while the public is in possible danger. At least he recognizes he’s a defendant.
“It would not be appropriate to comment on this any further until after we have that meeting with the Department of Health. We cannot and will not litigate this matter in the public arena.”
James is handling the water issue as a defense lawyer as opposed to a lifeguard. He loves his press conferences as long as words such as green, blue and water are not up for discussion. He should have a press conference with his pal Lois Frankel. I would like her opinion on how James handled the situation.
“Residents and government officials in West Palm Beach, Palm Beach and South Beach have been angered by how the James administration has handled the drinking water problem. Many of them contend the city should have moved more quickly to alert the public to the threat.”
It was reported by city insiders that James was vacationing on the west coast of Fl. the last week of May, and he was fully briefed on the situation by City Staff. Why he continues to deny having knowledge defies logic.
Town of Palm Beach is concerned as told in the PB Post story published 6/26/2021. Below are excerpts from the story and comments from Town Manager Kirk Blouin.
Amid transparency concerns, Palm Beach will seek to conduct own water tests.
West Palm Beach did not notify its water customers for eight days after a dangerous toxin was found in its water supply last month.
The town will ask to conduct its own tests at West Palm Beach’s water treatment plant when officials from the neighboring municipalities meet next week, Town Manager Kirk Blouin said Thursday.
Amid transparency concerns that were heightened Wednesday after the town learned that the city had received a warning letter on Tuesday from the Florida Department of Health over its handling of recent water problems,
“People just want the truth, whatever that is,” Blouin said. “That’s the bare minimum.”
“I think I feel the same way everyone else does,” Blouin said about the possible violations. “I’m disappointed and even more concerned than I was previously.”
The end
Weekly Meeting List –Cancelled!
The City would send notice of upcoming meetings and the last notice residents would receive was emailed June 7, 2021 and contained the Meeting List Week of June 7 2021 & Draft City Commission Agenda June 14, 2021.
“WEEKLY MEETING LIST June 7, 2021 – June 11, 2021”
Mon. 3:00 PM Mayor’s Task Force for Racial and Ethnic Equality: Time change to 4:PM.
Tues. 3:00 PM Mayor’s Task Force for Racial and Ethnic Equality: Cancelled
Wed. 1:00 PM Mayor’s Task Force for Racial and Ethnic Equality: Cancelled
Fri. 8:30 AM Mayor’s Task Force for Racial and Ethnic Equality: Meeting held
WeeklyMeetingList_2021-0607-0611_Correction(1)
There were 4 scheduled meetings to be held the w/o June 7 2021 on Mayor’s Task Force for Racial and Ethnic Equality. As you can see 2 were cancelled and 1 time change. This is consistent with other City notifications but at least we were kept aware of the changes by receiving updated emails and not traveling to City Hall for a meeting that was cancelled.
Until the new administration was sworn in and a new City Administrator was appointed I have never witnessed the amount of meetings cancelled, times and or dates changed, meeting location changed. The Mayor was so proud of his newest committee “Mayor’s Task Force for Racial and Ethnic Equality” that in 1 week 2 meetings were cancelled, but it will be a selling point when needed for re-election.
After receiving the last notice of City meetings this message was added.
“Going forward, the weekly meeting list and meeting agendas will be accessible on the website, “wpb.org”. Subsequently, this email will discontinue.”
I questioned why the City decided to stop sending notice of upcoming meetings, and received this response from Cheryl Robinson | Executive Administrative Assistant.
“The City is streamlining its processes. Meetings and agendas are posted to the website and available to all to be accessed at any time; therefore, it is redundant to send email notifications. Thank you for your inquiry.”
I emailed back:
I appreciated the emails you sent. Lately there have been changes to city business, like meetings being canceled, times and dates being changed. If I see a meeting I want to attend and travel to city hall only to find it’s been cancelled or time/date changed residents will not be happy. Can you tell me who made the change?
I received this response from Hazeline F. Carson, City Clerk
“Per your question to Cheryl, the change was made at my direction for the reason you mentioned in your email, that meetings were cancelled and the list had to be updated constantly. This is to eliminate all of the emails being sent out.”
Lets say Friday night I check the upcoming meetings on the City website and see a meeting I wish to attend for example the Mayor’s Task Force for Racial and Ethnic Equality to be held Monday @ 8:30AM.
I would be wise to re-check the City’s website early Monday morning to insure the meeting wasn’t cancelled, or time changed.
If you know “Chain of Command” both Ms. Carson and Robinson report to City Administrator Faye Johnson who reports to Mayor James.
If James and Johnson aren’t making changes to the way business is being handled they keep moving staff around, promoting and demoting, handing out raises, taking them back, all the while making room for friends.
It wasn’t broke, what are they trying to fix? It’s obvious to me and the rest of the City it’s not the water problem on their mind, but how to make it more difficult for residents to follow City business. Then again maybe James isn’t aware of the changes being made like he wasn’t aware of the water situation. Someone needs to inform him our City is going to hell in a hand basket.
The end
City of WPB Under Investigation
A Warning letter from the DOH (Department of Health) sent to the City on June 22,2021 was addressed to Poonam K. Kalkat, Director of Public Utilities, and stated.
“The purpose of this letter is to advise the City of West Palm Beach of possible violation of law for which you may be responsible, and to seek your cooperation in resolving the matter.
Information provided by the City of West Palm Beach (City) to the Florida Department of Health Palm Beach County (Department) on June 3, 2021 indicates that the following violations(s) may have occurred”
4 violations are mentioned, and #1 & 2 refer to Aug. 9, 2016 and mentions cylindrospermopsin was detected in 55 samples collected at the point of entry to the distribution center in which the City failed to report these detections.
#3 & 4 violations refer to May 17 to May 26, 2021 when 8 samples exceeded the Health Advisory Level of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The City issued a public notice informing the public of the HAL exceedances on May 28,2021. The City failed to issue public notice within 24 hours of receipt of sample results that exceeded the HAL for cylindrospermopsin for four (4) of the eight (8) sample results.
The aforementioned eight (8) samples were subject to notification to the Department within twenty four (24) hours. The City failed to notify the Department on four (4) of the eight (8) samples.
Violation of Florida Statutes or Florida Administrative Code Rules may result in liability for damages, and the judicial imposition of civil penalties. Read the 2 page letter below.
You have read this far, now read how the City is attempting to get ahead of the story.
Published: Jun. 23, 2021 at 6:46 PM “West Palm Beach reports drinking water violation” The city of West Palm Beach issued a public notice Wednesday regarding a drinking water violation. The city also claims the Florida Department of Health has acknowledged that the situation is not an emergency.” Read the story below.
https://www.wflx.com//app/2021/06/23/west-palm-beach-reports-drinking-water-violation/
In closing it appears to me that Poonam K. Kalkat, Director of Public Utilities, will take the hit for following orders of someone who claims to have not know about the water situation until May 28, 2021.
The end
WPB Assistant to the City Administrator
“Mayor James Announces New WPB Assistant to the City Administrator Dr. Philip C. Harris
Post Date: 05/27/2021 3:30 PM
WEST PALM BEACH, FLA (May 27, 2021) – West Palm Beach Mayor Keith A. James is pleased to announce the selection of Dr. Philip C. Harris for the position of Assistant to the City Administrator effective Monday, May 24, 2021. In this role, Dr. Harris will oversee the City’s Community and Business Services which include the Departments of Housing and Community Development, Parks and Recreation, Public Works, Library, Office of Economic Opportunity, and ArtLife WPB.
Dr. Harris brings to the City 18 years of diversified government experience and a background in civic engagement, strategic planning, human services, public policy, emergency management, grant management, budget management, community and business development, and volunteer management.
He has held positions with the City of Clearwater, City of St. Petersburg, United Way Suncoast, Hillsborough County, Broward County, P.M.E. Development Consulting, LLC in Tamarac, FL, and Broward County Public Schools.”
“Congratulations to new Assistant to the City Administrator Dr. Philip C. Harris,” said West Palm Beach Mayor Keith A. James. “With a multifaceted background in operations and administrative experience, Dr. Harris brings a wealth of experience to this position. I am confident he will do great things for our City and serve our residents well. I welcome him to the City of West Palm Beach leadership team!”
“I am grateful to the Mayor and the City Administrator for the opportunity to join the dynamic City of West Palm Beach team,” said Dr. Harris. “I have tremendous respect for this innovative city, its residents, businesses, nonprofits, and city staff. I look forward to helping address the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.”
“Dr. Harris holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication degree from the University of South Florida and a Master and Doctor of Business Administration degree from Argosy University.”
Dr. Harris is the South Florida Chapter President of the National Forum for Black Public Administrators and a member of the Florida City and County Management Association (FCCMA) and the International City/County Management Association. He was also recently recognized as 2020 ICMA International Honorary Member of the Year and 2021 FCCMA Who’s Who Under 40 Award Honoree.”
The City’s pay scale salary for level GM17.
“Min. $121,330.00 Mid. $151,663.00 Max. $181,995.00”
“Mayor’s Office Harris, Philip Christopher 101117. Assistant to the City Administrator. Admin, Clerical&Fiscal GM17 $152,000.” (Mid. Level)
City Administrator Faye Johnson’s salary is $261,450.00, and as the City Charter states she must live in the City of WPB with no time frame for moving. This is a loop hole in the Charter that James and Johnson use to their benefit. James knows the rules, he just doesn’t follow them.
That’s a combined total of $413,450.00. for 2 employees. (The WPB Police Dept. has a new contract with the City after 9 months of back and forth negotiations, unfortunately the City refused to make the contract retroactive due to money shortage ???)
The City’s Education Requirements can be read below.
ASSISTANT TO THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR
FLSA: EX Page 2 of 2
B/U: NA-RgUncl Last revision: January 2020
CLASS DESCRIPTION
Class Code: 101117
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work involves sedentary to light work in an office setting. There is occasional need to stand, stoop, walk, sit, lift objects (up to 25 pounds) and perform similar other actions during the course of the workday. The City of West Palm Beach promotes and maintains a drug/alcohol free work environment through the use of mandatory per-employment and random drug testing for certain employees.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Master’s degree with a major in Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field is required for this position, or any equivalent combination of training and experience. Education will be verified using the “Education Requirements” listed below. Must have seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in upper management including budgetary experience.
A current and valid Florida driver’s license is required. For application purposes, a valid driver’s license from any state (equivalent to a State of Florida Class E) may be utilized; with the ability to obtain the State
of Florida driver’s license within thirty (30) days from date of employment.
Education Requirements
• To be considered valid (or verified) for position qualification purposes, and consistent with City Hiring Policy 4-5, a High School, GED or equivalent diploma, and all higher education degrees or certifications must have been issued by:
a) a public education institution in the State of Florida or any State or Territory of the United States; or
b) an institution accredited by an accrediting organization that is recognized by the Florida Department of Education or the U.S. Department of Education; or
c) an institution that is accredited by an organization that is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
• International degrees will be evaluated to determine if they satisfy qualification requirements.
“On February 27, 2019, the US Department of Education stated that they were cutting off federal funding to Argosy University. According to Inside Higher Education, “The Education Department said that the roughly 8,800 students enrolled at Argosy campuses could seek to transfer their credits elsewhere or apply for loan cancellation in the event their campus shuts down.”
All Argosy campuses were officially closed on March 8, 2019.
Be sure to read the entire Wikipedia entry below for what became a bogus university.
The overall graduation rate? Answer: 6 percent.
Misspend money, lack of accreditation, multiple lawsuits and on and on.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argosy_University
I could not find where the City advertised for Dr. Harris position. Is this a case of “It’s not what you know, but who you know?”
The end.
PB Post Gave Up To Easy
The Palm Beach Post wrote an editorial questioning why Mayor Keith James took so long to notify the public of the water contaminated by Blue/Green Algae and a health hazard to seniors, children and people with health issues, and finally don’t give city water to your pets. My comments in Italic.
Mayor James was upset with the editorial and notified the Post who printed a correction on 6/5/2021, and can be read below at the end of the story.
May 5, 2021 Blue/Green algae first appeared. 2nd Sample taken and algae disappeared.
May 17, 2021 Blue/Green algae appears again.
The time line was reported by WPTV (Chanel 5) and the entire story can be read below.
May 19, 2021 Results came back high.
May 24, 25, 26, 2021 The City wanted to make sure this was not an anomaly, so it tested again.
The City wanted to test for 3 consecutive days and based on the outside lab schedule the samples were collected on May 24, 25, and 26, 2021. 5/19/21 results came back “high” and nothing more was done until May 24. That’s 5 days! If not James who made the decision to test the water 3 days in a row?
May 27, 2021 Results were formally received at approximately 5 pm.
May 28, 2021 The city contacted the Florida Department of Health to inform them and begin the process of public notification. The city’s notification required approval from the Florida Department of Health which was received late Friday night.
Here are the players:
#1 Mayor Keith James
#2 City Administrator Faye Johnson
#3 Public Utilities Poonam Kalkat
#4 Penelope Redford Division of Public Utilities, Office of Sustainability.
Office of Sustainability | West Palm Beach, FL
Taken from the WPB Website:
“Public Utilities Billing & Payments; Report Damage by an Outside Utility Contractor; Backflow Prevention and Cross Connection; Water Quality Reports; Fats, Oils and Grease; Our Watershed; UV System and Water Plant; Grassy Waters Preserve; Customer Water Portal; Public Works. Sanitation; Pickup Schedule; Street Maintenance & Lighting; Request for Service; Sustainability.”
We have all heard Keith James and Poonam Kalkat on the water situation, why haven’t we heard from Ms. Redford who reports to Ms. Kalkat, who reports to Ms. Johnson, who reports to Mr. James.
The PB Post wrote an editorial on the contamination on the City’s water supply which obviously upset James and the Post issued a correction on 6/5/2021 apologizing to James and readers for the error. The Post also states:
“The Post cannot disprove the mayor’s explanation and has removed the editorial from it’s website”
If the Post placed a PRR (Public Records Request) for all emails, and especially text messages between James, Johnson, Kalkat and include Redford from May 5 through May 28,2021 that should show when James first knew about the water contamination. Taxpayer’s pay for their phones, so it makes it public record and I wouldn’t trust City officials to provide the information but would trust the report from the phone carrier.
I don’t believe the Post owe it’s readers an apology for the editorial, but do believe an apology is due for endorsing him for Mayor of WPB. Editorial Staff learn from your mistakes, and common sense dictates when James realizing the City Commissioner’s were upset concerning the way they learned of the situation, he publicly apologized to them saying “we need to do better” The Commissioners want a work shop on improving communication. Double click to enlarge “Correction”
In closing does anyone believe James didn’t know we had contaminated water until May 28. I don’t, and his lying miscommunication is what has me upset. Everyone dropped the ball but him. He thanked the PBC Sheriff office for lending WPB their plane to fly the water sample to Tallahassee. The WPB Police have a helicopter, and depending on the fuel tank, a helicopter can travel 955 mi.and it’s 832 mi. round trip.
The end.
WPB Plays By It’s Own Rules
I attended the City Commission meeting last night and listened to residents concern over the water problems we are all faced with. Today marks 5 day’s of bottled water.
In all fairness we can’t blame Mayor James or City Administrator Faye Johnson for the outbreak of the Blue-green algae, technically known as cyanobacteria.
What we can and should hold them responsible for is how they handled the situation after they were notified of it’s existence which first appeared 5/3/21 and again 5/17/21.
James said the problem was unprecedented and they were at a loss of what to do. Understandable.
Why wasn’t a call made to the DOH (Dept. of Health) or the DEP (Dept. of Environmental Protection) and seek guidance on what turned out to be a disaster for the City.
What has me most upset is City Commissioners were not notified until they received emails advising them to boil their water. The Commissioners sent out notices to Presidents of Homeowners Associations who then sent out email to residents warning of the situation.
Now I’m wondering how the water situation has affected the County’s water supply and emailed Commissioner Bernard who forwarded my email to Ali Bayat, Utility Director, and his response was “Palm Beach County uses groundwater (wells) to produce potable water. As Commissioner Bernard said the current situation with City has no impact on PBC water system.”
Now I’m wishing I lived in Unincorporated PBC, and today I wish I never had that thought. Be patient reading this story, I’m not wandering around but making a point.
The City of WPB should be ashamed of how they treated our First Responders (Police & Firefighters) over a new contract. I am happy to report the City and the Police have a new contract, and the Firefighters meet with a Special Magistrate for 2 days and he will make the final decision.
The City Charter which is supposedly the Bible of can and cannot do say’s the City Administrator must live in the City of WPB. Ms. Johnson does not reside in the City of WPB. Her home is located in unincorporated Palm Beach County.
City Administrator Pay Grade, GM20 ($174,303-$261,454).
Ms. Johnson’s current salary as Interim City Administrator is $220,000.
The Mayor is recommending to the Commission a starting salary of $249,000. Upon successful completion of a six (6) month probationary period, Ms. Johnson’s salary will increase by 5% to $261,450. City Commission unanimously approved the increase and pay grade.
Below is the new Organizational Chart for the City, and you can enlarge the picture by clicking on it.
City of WPB Org Chart Effective 05.24.21-2
The departments reporting directly to Ms. Johnson are: City Clerk, Human Resources, Finance, Police and Fire Dept.
Johnson represented the City in negotiations with both the Fire & Police Dept.
Ms. Johnson has held the position 1 1/2 years and has the protection of the PBC Sheriff’s Dept; PBC Firefighters and can use all the water she needs because the County knows how to keep their residents safe, and their report can be read below.
Palm Beach County 2020 Water Quality Reports Released
“The reports feature results from more than 80,000 laboratory tests of PBCWUD’s drinking water. The test results are summarized in easy-to-read charts, which explain to residents where their water comes from, how the water is treated and disinfected, and who they can contact for more information.” If interested in reading the report it is enclosed below.
https://discover.pbcgov.org/waterutilities/Pages/Press-Releases.aspx
To fully understand the problems WPB residents are facing I believe Ms. Johnson should reside in the City and suffer along with us.
The end.