1400 Henrietta Avenue & Dreher Park Discussion

Update: 11:15 AM

A reader responded to the story informing me there was a Boys and Girls Club
in Gaines Park, which is true. Here is why I still believe the club should be placed
on Henrietta Ave. A bus will take children to the Boys and Girls Club in Gaines Park
and getting home is their responsibility. Remember the reason for Henrietta Farm
was due to many residents who didn’t have transportation to shop at Publix, 2 miles away.

1400 Henrietta Av. to Gaines Park 1501 N Australian Ave. Walking distance

18 min. (0.9 mi) via 15th St. N. Australian Ave.

20 min. (1.0 mi) via 14th St. Windsor Ave. 15th.St. N. Australian Ave.

24 min. (1.2 mi) via 14th. St. Palm Beach Lakes Blvd N. Australian Ave.

I wouldn’t want my child walking home with the traffic on Palm Beach Lakes Blvd. and N Australian Ave; or want them walking on 14th.15th. or Windsor Ave. due to crime.

These directions are for planning purposes only. You may find that construction projects, traffic, weather, or other events may cause conditions to differ from the map results, and you should plan your route accordingly. You must obey all signs or notices regarding your route.

City Commission meeting held 5/1/2023.

9.1 “Resolution No. 72-23 finding that City property located at 1400 Henrietta Avenue is not needed for City purposes, declaring the property as surplus, and authorizing the disposition of the property through negotiation of conveyance to the West Palm Beach Housing Authority.”

Background Information:

“On July 17, 2006, the City of West Palm Beach accepted the conveyance from Palm Beach County, without charge, of property at 1400 Henrietta Avenue. By deed restrictions, use of the Property was initially limited to the development of affordable or workforce housing.

In 2011, Palm Beach County agreed to amend the deed restrictions to allow for the utilization of the property to suit other neighborhood needs such as use as an urban market garden, a community center, a recreation center, cultural facility, or park.

From September 2013 to October 2021, the parcel was leased to a third party in attempts to establish an urban market garden for the purpose of providing sustainable farming education, job training, and employment opportunities.

However, as addressing affordable housing in the West Palm Beach continues to be a high priority need, City staff is of the opinion that it is in the best interest of the City to develop the site under the original conditions of the conveyance by the County.

At the December 9, 2022 Mayor/Commission Work Session, the City Commission expressed support of a partnership with the West Palm Beach Housing Authority (WPBHA) for the redevelopment of the 1.5 acres site as an affordable rental housing development for families. The presentation is provided in the agenda item.”

The third party was named Stewart Bosley who developed Henrietta Farms.

10/16/2021 Bosley’s lease was due to expire when he received notice his lease will not be renewed by the city. (James)

9/24/2021 Mr. Bosley had a crew of volunteers to work on the farm that weekend, and when they arrived they found their locks were cut off and replaced with new city locks with 3 weeks remaining on the lease.

I needed an update from Mr. Bosley on what was lost by closing the farm. I asked, he responded.

“To answer your question about the lost planting seasons. This is what was supposed to happen at Henrietta Bridge Farm:

2021 September 1st planting-1500-2000 units

2022 January 2nd planting-1000 units
June 3rd planting-Summer Hemp…cut down, added to compost for soil remediation.
September 1st planting-1500-2000 units

2023 January 2nd planting-1500 units

Seedlings are started in greenhouse: Collards, cabbage, cauliflower, tomatoes, green peppers, squash, beans, melons.

Not included in the above were the plants in the flower garden to attract bees, a variety of herbs & a large banana patch.

There were over 50 fruit trees planted at the north end of the farm, many of which are dying because no one is attending to them.

Lastly, the distribution site of food to the community via Farm Share and PBC Food Bank has been discontinued by the Farm closing.

As of May 1, 2023, the property is still vacant and nothing beneficial to the black community has taken place. If the Henrietta Bridge Farm was still in active operation, many hundreds of low income families would have access to fresh produce & fruits…All within walking distance of their homes.”

By now WPB residents are aware Mayor Keith James is responsible for Permits and Leases. If you displease him, you’re in trouble. If you’re able to bend a knee, you have hope.

All that could be told about Henrietta Farms has been told, so why another piece on the farm? Not wanting to offend anyone, but I believe if it doesn’t affect our area, the public has a short memory, and it’s leading up to another item on the 5/1/2023 agenda.

9.2 “Resolution No. 103-23 finds by the City Commission and declares property within Dreher Park as surplus and no longer needed for City purposes and authorizes City staff to negotiate lease terms with the Boys and Girls Club.”

Background Information:

“Over the past three years, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County has been evaluating the needs for services throughout the region and West Palm Beach. They identified the southern end of the City, specifically in District 5, where the vast majority of the youth from Belvedere Elementary, Palmetto Elementary, Conniston Middle, and Forest Hill High Schools are economically disadvantaged and are not testing to grade level in either reading or math proficiencies.”

“The Boys and Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County started investing in the youth at Conniston Middle School and Forest Hill High School offering programs after school on the schools campuses.

“To serve students in District 5, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County desires to open a club in Dreher Park. They have been meeting with the community, neighborhood associations, and City staff to determine the best location for a new club to be built.

The Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee and the community have shown support for the request from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County for approximately 1.6 acres, more or less, in the Northwest area of Dreher Park.”

“The Mayor recommended the Boys and Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County continue to reach out to the community for feedback and to continue to coordinate with the Cox Science and Palm Beach Zoo Center.”  Both are located in Dreher Park.

Dreher Park: Amenities: Information from the WPB website found below.

“Bathrooms, Benches/Seating, Decorative Fountain, Disc Golf Course, Dog Park, Fishing Pier, Multi-Purpose Fields, Picnic Pavilions, Picnic Tables, Playground, Public Art, Walking/Biking Trails”
What are the residents living in the area willing to give up in order to build a Boys and Girls Club?

https://www.wpb.org/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/73/155

I have reached out to people concerning the Boys and Girls Club and all had favorable comments, and praise was abundant. The problem was the location in Dreher Park.
As you read above, “the Boys and Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County has been evaluating the needs for services throughout the region and West Palm Beach.

They identified the southern end of the City, specifically in District 5, where the vast majority of the youth from Belvedere Elementary, Palmetto Elementary, Conniston Middle, and Forest Hill High Schools are “economically disadvantaged and are not testing to grade level in either reading or math proficiencies.”

Thousands of students are not testing to their level all over PBC, made worse by Carona Virus which caused schools to close down temporarily.

According to the city website. “The Historic Northwest district is perfectly positioned for rebirth. Located just north of downtown, the neighborhood boundaries extend from Banyan to Palm Beach Lakes, west to Tamarind Avenue and east to Rosemary Avenue.”

The most violent sections of the city. My opinion, a Boys and Girls club is needed in this area to help children who also are not “testing to grade level” and as faith would have it the city declared the property located at 1400 Henrietta Avenue is not needed for City purposes.

Could it be intended for a Boys and Girls Club, instead of affordable or workforce housing which the city plans to do.

Henrietta Farm 1.5 acres. Boys and Girls Club in Dreher Park 1.6 acres.

Is rent expensive in West Palm Beach?

Average Apartment Cost in West Palm Beach, FL

The average rent for apartments in West Palm Beach, FL, is between $2,250 and $3,495 in 2023. For a studio apartment in West Palm Beach, FL, the average rent is $2,250. When it comes to 1-bedroom apartments, the average rent in West Palm Beach, FL, is $2,715.

These apartments were meant to be affordable housing, and a friend in real estate verified the figures were correct.

Mayor James, by closing Henrietta Farms took food from children’s bellies, now would he deny them a Boys and Girls Club, a safe place for them to go instead of the dangerous streets?

City Commissioners, please ask yourself that question.
The end!

Is WPB Destroying Records

PRR ( Public Records Request)

“The Florida Public Records Law states that any person can inspect and copy public records. An individual does not need to state a purpose or special interest to obtain access to a record and does not need to present identification.”

City Commission meeting held 12/12/2022. This meeting had an interruption when an alarm sounded and we were directed to leave the building. About 15-20 min. later the meeting resumed.

The city records meetings, and there are 2 separate recordings, and I have included the second recording that includes “comments from the public” which is always held at the end of meetings. This story also includes emails between the city, the FLCGA (Florida Center for Government Accountability) and myself.

The meeting ended and it was time for comments from the public, and the video can be found at the end of the story. Time frames are important and I made the time so readers wouldn’t have to listen to the entire meeting, but feel free too. The city was still accepting comments through the “portal” meaning it wasn’t necessary to attend the meeting in person, and you could send your comments to the city and they would be read out loud into the record. Mayor Keith James closed the portal, and now you must attend the meeting in person to comment.

Here are the times I ask for your attention.

1:53:30 Starts comments from the public. James calls 3 names to come forward.

1:53:46 James can be seen holding a comment card and he states “Now by the way I got a card from something called Palm Beach Free Press. We take comments from individuals and not entities so I don’t know who Palm Beach Free Press is but I’m not reading the card”

Well, damn, I want to know what the Palm Beach Free Press had to say, so I placed a PRR with the City Clerk, Jackie Mobley. The office of the City Clerk functions as the official record custodian. Below is the date and time of my request.

Sent: Monday, January 23, 2023 at 07:58:00 AM
From: Sandy Matkivich <[email protected]>
To:[email protected]” <[email protected]>
Subject: PRR PB Free Press

Good morning Ms. Mobley,
City Commission meeting held 12/12/2022 James had a card come through the portal from the Palm Beach Free Press and would not read the card into the record. I am requesting a copy of the entire document sent by the Palm Beach Free Press.Thank you in advance for your help.
Sandy Matkivich

Sent: Tue, Jan 24 at 9:25 AM
From: Sandy Matkivich <[email protected]>
To:[email protected]” <[email protected]>
Subject: PRR PB Free Press 2nd. request
Good morning,
I’m still waiting for the PB Free Press comment sent to the city. Will you please send it to me.
Sandy

Sent: Tue, Jan 24 at 10:33 AM
From: Jacqueline H. Mobley <[email protected]>
To: Sandy Matkivich
Cc: Faye Johnson
Good morning,I do not recall receiving a comment from PB Free Press.
Thank You,

Why did Ms. Mobley find it necessary to CC City Administrator Faye Johnson?

Sent: Mar 10, 2023, at 9:28 AM
From: Sandy Matkivich <[email protected]>
To: www.flcga.org

To whom it may concern,
The City Commission meeting held on 12/12/2022 was televised and Mayor James is seen holding a comment card and refuses to read it into the record or provide me with a copy after requesting a Public Record Request. The televised meeting is enclosed below and the time frame in question starts at 1:53:46 when the mayor makes the statement. Please read from the bottom up to understand my PRR and the City’s response. Please acknowledge this email received.
Respectfully,
Sandy Matkivich

Sent: Mar 30 at 3:20 PM
From: www.flcga.org
To: Sandy Matkivich

My apologies for the long delay in responding, Sandy. It’s been a hellacious month and I’m only now able to catch up with the mountain of corresponded that’s accumulated. It’s quite clear that the mayor has the card in his hand and actually reads from it and frankly, the response from Ms. Mobley is she doesn’t “recall” receiving a comment card doesn’t mean she did a search of city records as is required under the public records law. I’ll make a request and see how she responds.

Sent: Wed, Apr 26 at 4:48 PM
From: www.flcga.org
To: Sandy Matkivich

The City of West Palm Beach finally complied with my public record request, Sandy. Here’s the comment card you had been asking for.

Barbara A. Petersen
Executive Director
850/212-8665   www.flcga.org
#DefendDemocracy

When readers open the comment card I call your attention to the top right where “General Comment” is checked off. Middle of the card “I do mot wish to speak, but please read my comment as follows:”  There is nothing written in this section.
My opinion: The comment was not flattering to the city (James) and the card was destroyed. That’s how Mayor Keith James and City Administrator Faye Johnson do business.

CC meeting 12/12/2022 part 2 of 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emlRPdSIPe4

Comment Card 12-12-2022 CC Meeting

PB Free Press If your out there, please come forward.  Inquiring minds want to know what message you sent to the city of WPB.

The end?

 

 

 

They Can Never Change History

On September 9, 1776, the Second Continental Congress adopted a new name for what had been called the “United Colonies.” The moniker United States of America has remained since then as a symbol of freedom and independence.

Civil War Apr 12, 1861 – Apr 9, 1865 The Union ( the North) and The Confederacy (the South) fought over slavery. Brother against brother.

“Dissolution of the Confederate States, U.S. territorial integrity preserved, Slavery abolished, Beginning of the Reconstruction era, Passage and ratification of the 13th, 14th and 15th amendments to the Constitution of the United States.”

13th. amendment The 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution provides that “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.”

14th amendment  No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

15th amendment  The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

19th amendment  Granted women the right to vote.

How long did the 19th Amendment take? “First proposed in Congress in 1878, the amendment did not pass the House and Senate until 1919. It takes another fifteen months before it is ratified by three-fourths of the states (thirty-six in total at the time) and finally becomes law in 1920.”  42 year battle before women were allowed to vote.

Who fought for women’s right to vote? “Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton form the National Woman Suffrage Association. The primary goal of the organization is to achieve voting rights for women by means of a Congressional amendment to the Constitution.”  More women than men vote in an election which tells me the tougher the battle (42years) women feel it’s their civic duty to vote.

https://www.thoughtco.com/more-likely-vote-women-or-men-3534271

When Gov. DeSantis was first elected I thought he walked on water when he gave . teachers a raise that brought Florida teachers from one the worst paid in the country to being able to earn a decent wage. He should have stopped there but he didn’t.

Florida schools are banning books in their libraries. Communist countries like Russia, Germany, China and Hong Kong to name a few, ban and burn books. I don’t want to live in a Communist country, and I don’t care how many laws are written, they can never change history.

Governor DeSantis announces legislative proposal to stop W.O.K.E. activism and critical race theory in schools and corporations.

https://www.flgov.com/2021/12/15/governor-desantis-announces-legislative-proposal-to-stop-w-o-k-e-activism-and-critical-race-theory-in-schools-and-corporations/ 

“Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis defended his administration’s decision to block a course on African American studies from the state’s public schools. He said teaching Black history is required in Florida schools, but the Advanced Placement course amounted to ‘indoctrination.’ The fight is just the latest in the ongoing identity and culture war in Florida that has become a hallmark of DeSantis’ agenda.”

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/desantis-defends-blocking-african-american-studies-course-in-florida-schools

The darkest part of American history is when one human being was owned by another. That was known as slavery and that was one of America’s darkest hours. Slavery was a part of American history, and I always believed a picture is worth a thousand words. I hope you agree.
The end