Roundtable Discussion on the Homeless
2/21/2024 I attended the roundtable discussion on the homeless in WPB led by Mayor Keith James. The invited guests, with many years of experience between them, all spoke with passion, knowledge and commitment.
Jeff Demario, CEO of Vita Nova, focuses on mentoring youth, advocating for foster care issues and addressing youth homelessness.
Dr. James Green, Director of PBC Community Services Dept. who spearheaded efforts to address homelessness and poverty,
Dr. Tomara Graham Mays focuses on self-sufficiency, sustainability and breaking barriers for change, and her passionate for serving the vulnerable population.
Shannon Nazworth, is President and CEO of Ability Housing and is committed to equitable housing and she advocates for affordable housing rights.
Dana Stanley, CEO of the Lord’s Place who brings over 20 years’ experience serving the poor and homeless and is an active community leader in WPB.
Allie Severino, is the Social Services Supervisor for the City of WPB. She leads the Homeless Advocacy and response Team (HART).
The six named people above are all dedicated to helping the destitute, the homeless and the underprivileged among us. There is so much more to all of them, and I invite you to Google them and read about people who are passionate about helping others less fortunate.
The meeting took place in the City Library and the room was packed and unfortunately the city meeting wasn’t televised but Al Pefley, reporter for channel 12 was present with cameras rolling, and the story link can be found below.
Mayor James started the conversation by stating how many calls, text and emails complaining about the homeless he and commissioners have received and then states they receive as many stating the city isn’t doing enough to help the homeless among us. Whoever takes the time to notify elected officials, concerning the treatment of the homeless a sincere thank you.
“WPB mayor will look into opening emergency homeless shelter” James said it, but I’m not sure he means it.
One speaker, Shannon Nazworth addressed the money situation, and it was so simple I can’t understand why elected officials didn’t think of it, or maybe they did. Ms. Nazworth offered a solution, and it included developers. Her suggestion was if a developer request a Variance and want to exceed the building height by 10 stories and the city grants it then the developer must build 10 apartments/homes for the homeless. She also mentioned the city can Mandate the order.
Variance: “is a request to deviate from current zoning requirements (land use). If a variance is granted, it allows the owner or land buyer (residential, commercial or industrial) to use the land in a manner not otherwise permitted by the zoning ordinance. Variances are often needed to modify ordinance standards for setbacks, lot coverage, parking, building heights or similar standards.”
Mandate: “a mandate has the same effect as a law. A mandate is an official order.”
Soon after Ms. Nazworth made the above statement James mentioned the city couldn’t afford the construction costs, but he would look into receiving money from the county, state and federal money. Never mentioned contractors who are making millions off the city.
In my opinion construction in WPB is out of control and getting worse. Two developers Jeff Greene and Related have a firm hold on developing the city and are not wasting time changing the skyline of WPB.
Example: Jeff Greene
“One West Palm is a mixed-use complex consisting of two sister towers in West Palm Beach, Florida. The 30-story towers are 426-feet, reaching the tallest height in the city. One tower consists solely of 326 luxury units. Jeff Greene’s condo development requires zoning change from 15 stories to 40 stories” City wouldn’t grant 40 stories, but granted 30 stories instead. If the Mandate was on the books, Mr. Greene would build 30 Apt’s/ homes and possibly relocate the woman with 3 kids living out of her car, who never expected to be homeless until she lost her job or possibly could no longer afford her rent.
Example: Related Cos.
“Both towers, one 21 stories and one 23, will include office and retail space. The taller building, called the east tower, will include a parking garage. with waivers, at 550 South Rosemary Avenue within the CityPlace Commercial Planned Development.” Over the years Related could have solved WPB homeless situation with their request for changes in development.
Al Pefley Thu, February 22nd, 2024 (New story)
“West Palm Beach would need help with emergency homeless shelter, mayor says”
“If law enforcement wants to arrest someone for violating trespass or something, they can’t do it if there aren’t shelter beds available,” he continued. “At least the emergency shelter would be an option that might help us.”
When asked directly if he would pursue an emergency shelter, James indicated he planned to talk to partners across the county, citing The Lord’s Place, as an example.
“The City itself can’t do it,” he added. “But, certainly with the county, I believe they have the funding. Maybe, we can get some funding from the state. I’m happy to have conversations to explore,” Mayor James said. How about the developers? Can you ask them for help? Ms. Nazworth seems to think so.
“Well I’m not sure what they expect the city to do. We just can’t round people up and move them away in vans, okay? I can’t wave a magic wand and make all the homeless people go away. Unfortunately it doesn’t work that way,” Mayor James explained. Poor choice of words from city mayor.
“It is a difficult problem. Even if I move them you know, I don’t know how I would, off of Clematis Street, it’s like whack-a-mole. You put ’em in another part of the city, then you’ve got the people in that part of the city complaining,” said Mayor James. Poor choice of words from city mayor, again.
What is the whack-a-mole method?
“Whack – a – Mole Management is a style of managing or leading others where a manager waits for something he or she believes to be wrong to happen, and “whacks” the behavior with words and/or actions.”
February 22nd, 2024, Al Pefley channel 12
https://cbs12.com/news/local/wpb-mayor-will-look-into-opening-an-emergency-homeless-shelter
Change of subject: Voting
When you get to the polls to vote you will be asked to change 2 sections of the City Charter.
(1) INCREASE THE RESIDENCY PERIOD REQUIRED FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS TO RUN FOR OFFICE FROM SIX MONTHS TO TWELVE MONTHS The charter requires a candidate running for mayor to continuously reside in the City and candidates running for city commission to continuously reside in their respective district for the six-month period immediately prior to the date of election. Should the six-month period be increased to a twelve-month period?
(2) PROHIBITING MAYOR’S OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT AND LIMITING BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS
The charter requires the Mayor to devote full time to city duties but does not otherwise limit outside employment or business relationships. Should the charter be amended to prohibit the Mayor from having outside employment and limit holding a financial interest in any business entity to interests that will not impair the Mayor’s independent judgment or conflict with the performance of city duties?
The city is requesting both changes. I will not vote for either. Remember the city changing the charter from Single District Voting to City Wide Elections. The people in Ibis, District 4, choosing my commissioner in District 2. Why? Ibis votes, many in other districts of WPB can’t be bothered to go to the polls.
What are the underlying reasons motivating the mayor to urge citizens to change the city charter, and why hasn’t the mayor publicly disclosed his reasons for pushing for a change?
Who is Commissioner Lambert
2018. Lambert and James served together as City Commissioners, and I believe a bond was created.
April 2019. James sworn in as WPB Mayor and immediately made changes and raised fees across the board, and City Commissioner Lambert voted approval on every item, every time.
Lambert approved raising the Fire Fee from $50 to $100.00
Lambert voted approval of the new parking fees. “The City of West Palm Beach passed a sweeping parking rate increase, the largest in the history of our city at the commission meeting in March 2022. Despite the parking department showing an annual profit of 2.5 million dollars last year.”
Lambert voted approval for no-bid contract for PSC Security for $8.5 million contract.
Lambert voted approval for the new marina on Flagler where James received $45,000 in contributions made to James campaign ahead of West Palm Beach Marina vote.
Lambert voted for James choice of Mad Room Hospitality over Vita to manage the Sunset Lounge. City was sued, judge told the city negotiate with Vita in good faith. No movement in over a year. James defies Judge’s order. Read the story below.
Lambert voted approval for every new development requested by Related and other developers.
Who is Jeffrey Brophy?
Jeffrey Brophy, senior vice president of The Wantman Group (WGI) owns a home in Andros Isles and rented his home to then City Commissioner Keith James who voted approval of contracts that contained a WGI contract. When questioned, James commented he paid fair market rents, but never produced rent receipts.
Soon after Commissioner Lambert’s election, husband Monte Lambert, was hired as Senior Business Development Manager for WGI.
3/23/2020 City Commissioner Lambert voted to approve 2 items, one on the CRA and the companion item on the City Commission meeting after stating she was told the “City Ethics Officer advised her that there was no financial benefit on this matter to WGI, so she was permitted to vote on the item” No benefit to Monty Lambert. Seriously?
I filed a complaint with the PBC Office of the Inspector General (OIG). I had more faith in the OIG than the COE. Today I have trust in neither the COE nor the OIG both are appointed by the very people they are investigating.
Palm Beach County Commission On Ethics/ Memorandum of Inquiry. 4 Pages, reads in part: Can be found below.
“This matter came to the attention of the Palm Beach County Commission on Ethics (COE) after staff received an email referral from the Palm Beach County Office of Inspector General on May 7th. 2020.” Why didn’t the OIG investigate my complaint? Why send it to the COE? Let’s look closer.
Who is on the board of the COE? Peter Cruise is one member. “He is Executive Director of the LeRoy Collins Public Ethics Academy and Affiliate Associate Professor at Florida Atlantic University. In March 2018, Dr. Cruise was appointed as a Palm Beach County Ethics Commissioner.” Does he know Commissioner Lambert? I would venture to say yes.
Commissioner Lambert on Peter Cruise lap. Enjoying a bike ride together.
My favorite. Commissioner Lambert on Flagler with husband Monty. Note WGI auto.
PALM BEACH COUNTY COMMISSION ON ETHICS LEGAL SUFFICIENCY DETERMINATION: 1 Page
Conclusion
“Based on the facts and circumstances, there is NO LEGAL SUFFICIENCY for an investigation to be conducted into this inquiry. Therefore, this matter is closed, and no further action will be taken.” read 5 pages below.
file:///C:/Users/sandy/Downloads/AN20-001%20MOI%20and%20LSD.pdf.crdownload
In closing Another excellent report from Florida Center for Government Accountability (FLCGA)
“Corrosive” Florida Senate bill will hide public corruption rather than expose it, ethics expert says A top Florida ethics expert is sounding the alarm about an ethics bill passed by the state Senate Thursday that would make it easier for corrupt officials to avoid investigation – and much harder for residents to hold them to account.” Read story below.
Basically, warning us public officials continue to circle the wagons in order to protect each other. Who do we turn to for help? How about each other? There’s more of us than them. Let’s all get together and vote them out of office. If not us who?
PB Post story on the Sunset Lounge.
The end
Who is Matthew Luciano?
I never heard of Matt Luciano until he announced his candidacy for City Commissioner in District 5 which Christina Lambert has held since April 5, 2018.
I met Matt for coffee and conversation and found him to be forthcoming and answered all questions I asked. Below is an introduction to Matt and he has an event coming up, and I invite you to meet with him, and talk about your concerns for the direction our city is moving in.
“12 years ago, I moved to a city I knew and loved. I am not enchanted with what is happening.
I attended Johns Hopkins University with the intent to be a doctor, went into finance instead.
Earned my MBA in Finance from Fordham University. I have been working for a Hedge Fund since 2017 and have held similar roles since 1995. Most known employer was Bank of America. I managed $400 mm of firm capital for them.
I also raised money for commercial real estate deals. I say this to let folks know that I am qualified to deal with the developers that ask the city for waivers and millions, and I would have the citizens’ interest at heart, and I would put the citizen’s concerns first, always.
I would not have voted for the Sunset Lounge to be managed by Miami-based Mad Room Hospitality, but would have voted for the local, Black-owned group, Vita Lounge LLC.
I would not have voted for any type of marina in the Intracoastal. I value free space, parks, and less congestion. I don’t like wasting city money, just because it is awash in it. I would rather find a way to rebate it back to residents. The Millage reductions should actually reduce people’s taxes.
Overdevelopment will further crowd our schools and degrade the quality of the education for our kids. I am for moderate and planned growth. I am an advocate for a limited amount of more condos (ownership), but not more rentals where the city can award a few folks a cheaper rent and let landlords’ control most of the housing stock.
I am a leader in trying to limit the massive development planned for the South End and I led the petition for over 800 signers to stop the 8111 So Dixie development, which appears the city will ignore. The incumbent was at a recent business event still touting the enlarged plan.
“The issues of housing, traffic and transparency are playing out in the south end, where the city purchased 8111 S. Dixie Highway a dozen years ago with the intention of redeveloping it to spark some economic vitality to that stretch of Dixie. Plans for a mixed-use project finally appear to be nearing fruition but the South End Neighborhood Association learned abruptly that the plan to which they had given their approval was changed dramatically afterward without their knowledge, going from including about 200 apartments to now, about 360. The association, after a vote of its members, has withdrawn its endorsement, though it is not directly opposing the project, hoping the city and developer will add features that mitigate the inevitable traffic congestion in that area.”
Yes, I appear to be against most things Commissioner Lambert and the mayor stand for.”
As of now Matt is working hard to get his name and message out while I remind readers who City Commissioner Lambert is and who she supports.
Please attend Matt’s meet and greet to be held at Howley’s Restaurant this coming Saturday (2/10/2024) 3:30 to 4:30 @ 4700 S Dixie Hwy, West Palm Beach.
In closing I will remind readers we had a chance to replace two of the Cornerstones 5 City Commissioners, Ward and Lambert, when our choice for a new commissioner in District 1 was taken from us. I have included Joel Engelhardt, from Stet Media, story explaining how we lost the right to vote for a new Commissioner in District 1.
Stet media reports. Excellent read!
Exclusive: “Why WPB commission candidate dropped bid”
“Martina Tate-Walker backed out of her campaign for West Palm commission in November after a job offer that she said required she give up her political ambitions.”
https://www.stetnews.org/p/wpb-commission-martina-tate-walker
Who is City Commissioner Christina Lambert? Coming Next