WPB Plays By It’s Own Rules

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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.