How Could Something So Good, Go So Bad.
In September 2013 Geri Muoio’s was the WPB Mayor and a gentleman named Mr. Bosley was making an appeal to the City and asked that the $5,000.00 fee for bringing a water line to the area be waived, and his request was granted.
I listened to Mr. Bosley who acquired a lease for a piece of city owned property consisting of 1.52 acres at 1400 Henrietta Ave. and heard his plans to build a Community Farm in one of the poorest area’s of WPB, and my thought at the time was this guy has a good idea.
“In West Palm Beach, 18.7 percent of the population lives below the poverty line, compared with 14 percent for Palm Beach county and 14.5 percent for the U.S. as a whole. The city is also home to a large proportion of the county’s 27 federally designated food deserts. Residents live in a stark contrast to the area’s natural abundance of fresh produce, with limited retail and transportation options to grocery stores.
However, this is all about to change.
One man, Stewart W. Bosley Jr., and his non-profit organization Urban Growers, has broken ground on West Palm Beach’s first urban farm, and they’re set to harvest their first crop in January.
“What I didn’t realize is that it would take me four years to finally get site control,” he says. “Over the past four years, I have been steadfastly trying to acquire this property, clean it up, and put a farm on it. Now I’ve got 1,200 plants. We’ve got about 500 or 600 tomatoes, green peppers, kale, collard greens, bell peppers, and pole beans, and the first crops will be ready in January.
After a long process of land acquisition and jumping hurdles, the Urban Growers’ Community Farm, also known as the Henrietta Bridge Farm, is finally growing produce.
In addition to producing fresh and local produce for the community, Urban Growers is also providing job training and job opportunities to residents of the neighborhood, including previously incarcerated and at-risk youth. The plots were installed by previously incarcerated individuals from the juvenile justice system in Palm Beach county as part of a restorative justice program in West Palm Beach. Urban Growers hopes to continue supporting this population and other individuals from the community as they begin to harvest their first crop and expand their business.
“Where this farm is located is a perfect example of a food desert community,” he says. Where the growing center is now located, you have to go two and a half miles in any direction to get produce. The people that live in this neighborhood are all near or below the poverty line, and don’t have access to fresh produce. People who benefit from this are low-income seniors, and kids. It helps the people who don’t have access to fresh produce, many of them because of limited transportation options. The cost of transportation also has to be factored into the cost of the food.” Read the entire story below.
https://seedstock.com/2015/01/05/west-palm-beachs-first-urban-farm-serves-local-food-deserts/
One more story I hope readers will take the time to read in part explains:
Urban Growers CEDC Mission
“The primary mission is to develop and improve low-income communities and neighborhoods through economic and related development activities that will increase the opportunities for residents to become owners, managers, and producers of small businesses, affordable housing and jobs designed to produce positive cash flow and curb blight in the Greater North West Communities of West Palm Beach.
“Urban Growers CEDC is a grass roots non-profit organization dedicated to improve
the quality of life in low income communities in the neighborhoods of Coleman Park, Historic Northwest and Pleasant City. Through educational, economic and related development activities, the organization will promote actions designed to increase opportunities for residents. Read the entire story below:
http://www.urbangrowerscedc.org/
For over eight years the farm was up and growing, people were receiving fresh produce and fruit and had the satisfaction of knowing they helped create the farm and grow their food. So what went wrong?
The City sent a letter informing Urban Growers their lease for the land would not be renewed, and they have 30 days to vacate the property, and the only explanation was the City (James) stating “they have a better use for the property.”
What could be better than to give access to fresh produce and fruit to low income minority communities around the farm?
James is so proud of his “Mayor’s Taskforce for Racial and Ethnic Equality” which will sound good for his reelection, but I hope people remember what he has done to Urban Growers. Damn disgrace.
The end.
Right To Life
At the upcoming City Commission (9/20/21 meeting the City will make a “Special Presentation”
“Special Presentation to Mona Reis in recognition of her contributions in our community for the past 41 years.”
I was curious on what her contribution was and googled her.
“Mona S. Reis is the Founder and Director of Presidential Women’s Center, an independent abortion provider located in West Palm Beach, Florida.”
The center is within a mile of my home and on the weekends you can witness pro life supporters with their signs and rosary beads, praying for the mothers and unborn children, and they have done this for years.
“Mary Susan Pine, who stands outside abortion clinics and advises women not to have the procedure, was accused of blocking a car from entering a Florida abortion clinic in 2009.
In December, a judge threw out the case, in which the government sought $10,000 in fines and a permanent injunction barring Pine from counseling women outside the Presidential Women’s Center in West Palm Beach, Fla. The government had been appealing the ruling until it was announced Monday it would no longer pursue the case
Feminists for Life: “We believe in a woman’s right to control her body, and she deserves this right no matter where she lives, even if she’s still living inside her mother’s womb.” Please re-read the sentence.
Many states allow late abortions that can be performed up to 24 weeks meaning the child was carried for six months and able to survive outside the womb, but will never get the chance.
Women have their choice of birth control methods, including: longer-acting birth control such as intrauterine devices (IUDs) and implants shorter-acting methods like birth control pills.. IUDs are considered one of the most effective reversible forms of birth control. Researching for this story I was surprised to find a patch, which can be worn for a week, and prevent unwanted pregnancy’s.
In general, the cost of an abortion can average $1,500.00.
People can’t afford $8.00 for a box of condoms, but can raise $1,500.00 for an abortion.
Fortunately views on abortion are changing and for that I’m grateful along with the men and women who sit quietly outside the abortion clinic with rosery in hand still praying for lost souls.
A neighbor of mine just became a grandmother and she is “over the moon” with a beautiful granddaughter, welcomed into the world with nothing but love.
How many babies have been aborted in 41 Years?
Does Ms. Reis realize how fortunate she is that her mother didn’t believe in abortion.
Currie Park Mixed Use (CMUD) Stakeholders Meeting! Part 2
Updated 9/16/2021 @6:18PM
I received the invitation below from Carl Flick along with other concerned residents and the City Commissioners on Wed, Sep 15, 2021 @ 12:14 pm
“FYI on a sponsored Zoom meeting scheduled for tonight at 6:00 PM that will explain why the hosts think allowing 300-350 foot building heights in the Currie Corridor is OK.
Feel free to attend on-line. I have no idea if they will allow comments by those who remain unconvinced and disagree. Still, it’s important to listen to the viewpoints of all sides.
This is in preparation for this coming Tuesday’s West Palm Beach Planning Board meeting (beginning at 6:00 PM) inside City Hall’s Commission Chambers. We encourage all to attend this in-person forum.”
Carl received the invitation late and forwarded it to concerned citizens and with short notice 54 people attended the Zoom meeting, hoping to voice their opinion on the project. They were not allowed to speak, but 3 people in favor of the project were. One resident said this project is needed due to small businesses failing and closing it’s doors. My opinion small businesses are failing due to Coronavirus and nothing to do with development.
In attendance were Commissioners Fox and Peduzzi. Missing were Commissioners Lambert, Warren and Shoaf who is the district commissioner. I understand not much notice was given but Commissioners who will discuss and vote on projects that will affect residents lifestyle should not consider City Commission a “part time” job.
Harvey Oyer, an attorney and lobbyist and has the responsibility of “selling” the CMUD project for developer Jeff Greene to the City, along with it’s residents of the NSNA (Northwood Shores Neighborhood Association)
Oyer started and finished the presentation and he’s really good at his job. He mentioned how he “loved” Northwood Shores and at one time wished he could have afforded to purchase a home in the area. Things are looking up for Oyer, he purchased a $1,350,000 home in the Presidents Country Club, an upscale gated community far removed from large structures.
Bill Nugent, Don’t have much information on him and the conversation between Bill and Harvey had me knowing they were both on the same page and Bill called on the speakers who were allowed to comment. The hi-light of the meeting was when an attendee namely Lon Sebella found a way to um-mute his mike and started to comment and the look of panic on Bill’s face when he shut off Lon’s mic only to have Lon turn it back on and continue commenting. His mike was turned off again and the meeting ended, rather abruptly.
In the previous story concerning CMUD I wrote:
“In fact the Currie Corridor is nearly vacant with the exception of a small home built in the early 1920, and is located across the street from Currie Park.”
What I have learned is the property is owned by Mr. Kenneth Witt who acquired the property in Aug.1989 and is the hold out seller to the site. Mr. Witt, in my opinion is the most important “stake holder” living in the middle of the project, and he was denied an invitation to the meeting.
Carl Flick, AICP, (American Institute of Certified Planners) is an urban planning consultant with over 25 years of municipal & county planning experience and is the President of the Northwood Shores Neighborhood Association.
Because of his vast knowledge of planning and what goes into these projects, Carl is rarely invited to the meetings and when he is, he’s not allowed to speak with the exception of 4 board members allowed to comment at one meeting. NSNA issue is that there have been no “community meetings” where anyone can enter, take part, speak and fully express themselves. Every lie told, Carl is able to offer proof of the mis-information given to residents. Carl attended the Zoom meeting and was not called on for his opinion, but 3 people in favor of the project were. That’s called “stacking the deck.” Planning staff is still planning to allow 300-350 foot towers, among the highest buildings in Palm Beach County to be built in a residential neighborhood.
Carl Flick will tell the remainder of the story below and readers will understand why Carl is not welcome at meetings. A little bird told me developer Jeff Greene has requested a meeting with 3 of the 8 board members and Carl Flick was not to be one of the invitees.
“Sharing what Northwood Shores gave to Planning staff on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 This was our negotiating plank.
Planning staff cherry-picked the minor stuff and failed to effective address the height issue.
We start again.
Carl
Northwood Shores Neighborhood Association
Committee discussion on Currie Corridor Mixed-Use Zoning District (CMUD), West Palm Beach
Monday, September 6, 2021
NSNA’s offers these key points to improve the City’s proposal for changes to CMUD zoning district.
1. The city has offered to reduce the previously suggested 397 foot maximum building height for developer Jeff Greene’s Core I sub district. The NSNA selected option #2 which sets the maximum height at 267 feet (23 stories at “13 foot floor plates”).
2. The limiting time frame for building should be reduced from the suggested 5 years down to 3 years. After this time, if no development is begun by permitting (need specific wording), then CMUD for developers and landowners enjoying more allowances must revert back to the 2014 CMUD regulations.
3. Move the highest building heights within Core District 1 – from south of 26th Street to south of 23rd Street. This will reduce negative impacts on the adjacent single family residential neighborhood of Northwood Shores.
4. Any reorganization of Joel Daves Park should result in no net loss of park square footage. The park can be narrowed and lengthened east to west (in conjunction with the extension of Northwood Road), but if it is reshaped, then its original size total must be maintained.
5. The incentives should be significantly strengthened. If developer Jeff Greene wants to take advantage of securing more height via CMUD’s incentives, then three important base incentives should be first required. The incentive addressing attainable or affordable housing should become required incentive number 1. Further the attainable housing incentive should require that affordable units be built within CMUD only and there should be no opt-out payment in lieu of building. Required incentive number 2 should be the extension of Northwood Road. Required incentive number 3 should be the inclusion of urban-street level activity. At a minimum, implement CMUD’s urban mixed-use village along the extension of Northwood Road and along North Flagler Drive.
6. Return to CMUD’s prior strength of employing urban building liners of 3-4 stories along streets, with higher building portions set back and hidden from the pedestrian street level.
7. Hold a real community meeting so that everyone can comment on the proposed changes to CMUD. At the conclusion of its July 20, 2021 meeting, the West Palm Beach Planning Board directed Planning staff to: 1) hold one or more community meetings with the surrounding residents and obtain meaningful input; 2) meet with overlooked CMUD property owners; 3) re-engage with developer Jeff Greene; 4) make the list of incentives more powerful and beneficial to the City; and 5) carry out a “massing study” so that professionals and lay individuals alike can see how each proposal for additional height will actually appear from the street level.
The NSNA anticipates that Planning staff will fulfill the Planning Board’s directives. The NSNA continues to request that City staff hold a bona fide community meeting where residents can freely comment on the Planning staff’s proposal to revise CMUD. According to email written by Armando Fana of the City, the August 31, 2021 and September 9, 2021 meetings are not “community meetings”. They are “stakeholder meetings”, which are by invitation only. Planning staff selected participants based on prestated support and has barred those who questioned the City Planning staff’s proposal.”
If Mr. Fana, Assistant City Manager, Richard (Ric) Greene, head of Development Services, not to be confused with Jeff Greene, the project’s developer had a quarter of Carl Flick’s knowledge, the City of WPB would be better off.
The end, more to come
Currie Park Mixed Use (CMUD) Stakeholders Meeting!
The story below is part one of two stories, and possibly three as more information continues to arrive daily. As always my comments in Italic.
The developer for the CMUD project is billionaire Jeff Greene.
The statement below was read into the record by Sandy at the 9/7/2021 City Commission meeting and concerns CMUD development.
“CMUD is the acronym for Currie Corridor Mixed Use Zoning District, and should not be confused with Currie Park. Two different pieces of land. In fact the Currie Corridor is nearly vacant with the exception of a small home built in the early 1920, and is located across the street from Currie Park.
A developer wants to build on Currie Corridor and has already appeared before the Planning Board July 20, 2021 and in a 5 to 0 vote the planning board was against the project going forward and gave their reasoning as staff didn’t coordinate with the community. So far so good, let’s involve the community in the planning.
8/31/2021 @ 5:30 The City held a meeting which was not posted on the City website, and the meeting was attended by 25 invited guests only. Double click the picture to enlarge and notice no scheduled meetings for 8/31.
9/9/2021 @5:30 The City will hold another meeting, which is not posted on the City website, and invitations were again sent out to selected individuals. If you don’t hold an invitation you will not be allowed to attend the meeting.
It is my intention to attend the 9/9/2021 meeting, and with no invitation in hand, I expect to be turned away, and that is when I will express civil disobedience in the form of resistance without violence.
9/20/2021 @6:00 PM the Planning Board will meet again to discuss the Currie Corridor development.
The only difference is the City can now state the Community was involved and spoke favorably of the project, not mentioning the majority of the invited guests at both meetings are “friends of the city”
End of statement.
Below is an email sent from Fano to a resident lucky enough to get an invitation, and bring along a friend.
“From: Armando Fana <[email protected]>
Date: August 31, 2021 at 11:56:56 AM EDT
To: Name removed by WPB Watch
Subject: FW: CMUD Stakeholder Presentation
Hello Name removed
Good talking to you. Please see attached and below. You are ok to bring one other representative of La Fontana. Please send me that person’s name and contact info to provide to security. Also please send me the contact for Portofino and I will send them the invite for 9/9.
Thank you,
Armando Fana
Assistant City Administrator
City of West Palm Beach
From: Kimberly Bolton <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 30, 2021 5:02 PM
Subject: FW: CMUD Stakeholder Presentation
Good Afternoon, Everyone.
Please see the attached presentation for the meeting tomorrow.
The agenda for the meeting will be as follows:
Summary of existing CMUD regulations
Proposed changes
Feedback
Breakout tables
Thank you.
Have a great day.
Kimberly Bolton
Executive Administrative Assistant to
Armando Fana, Assistant City Administrator
Dr. Philip C. Harris, Assistant to the City Administrator”
I did travel to City Hall, and as expected was not allowed entrance, but instead was escorted from the building by police and a PSC security guard, after they learned my name was not on the guest list. The reason given was fear of the Corona Virus. Please open the link below to see what events are scheduled in WPB in the upcoming days. Corona an excuse to keep residents away, and in the dark concerning CMUDD. No sunshine in WPB Fla.
https://tickets.westpalmbeach.com/
Jeff Greene Developer of One West Palm & CMUD
“Palm Beach billionaire Jeff Greene, who is developing the 30-story One West Palm apartment-hotel-office complex, said on Tuesday he is about to pull the plug on construction, three stories shy of reaching the top, because the city is pushing back against his request for a zoning change.
As a result, “we think we’re going to stop,” Greene said. “I have no intention of dumping more money into this. I’ll leave the shell up. It’s going to to look like a skeleton because there’s no glass.”
Greene obtained city approval to punch through 10-story height limits so he could build 30 stories at the 550 Quadrille Blvd. site
Last year, experts began warning that West Palm Beach’s downtown office market was loaded with empty space, even though business leaders insisted the city needed more space to lure employers.”
Construction did stop for over a year and I cant help but wonder if the concrete and rebars have been compromised by the weather, and salt air. WPB doesn’t need a building collapse as we witnessed in Surfside, Fla. The story by the PB Post can be read below and again corona virus is the culprit, while the story reads Greene didn’t get what he asked for.
The end, for now.
Broken Window Theory
Broken Windows Theory: “The broken windows theory states that visible signs of disorder and misbehavior in an environment encourage further disorder and misbehavior, leading to serious crimes. The principle was developed to explain the decay of neighborhoods, but it is often applied to work and educational environments.”
The author of this letter’s name and phone no. has been deleted by WPB Watch for obvious reasons. Please view pictures (4) at the end as they tell the story.
To: The Honorable Keith James, Mayor, City of West Palm Beach
Re: Abandoned residence at 4719 Pinewood Avenue – Repeated calls and letters to the city have gone unanswered – We need your help
Dear Mayor James:
Over the last decade I’ve repeatedly written to City staff about the abandoned home located at 4719 Pinewood Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL 33407. We need you help on this one and I am now writing you directly.
About two years ago, following a letter I wrote, the City came out and finally boarded the structure, removed all of the trash, mowed the lawn and cleared the house of intruders. The house also gained a City-issued “No Trespassing sign”, which is still displayed today on the front of the house.
We were told two years ago that the City police would regularly walk around the house each night from that point forward, until the City’s legal staff could take nuisance abatement action against the absentee landowner. A plan was in place.
But today the home continues to be abandoned and is still regularly occupied by vagrants. We see no progress. With the apparent stopping of nightly police patrols over a year ago, the vagrancy issue has predictably returned. About a month ago this illegal occupancy led to a fire around 3:00 AM.
Afterwards, I again wrote the City two weeks ago and asked staff to immediately re-board the partly burned structure. This exposed and abandoned house presents an extreme health and safety issue for our community. A single woman lives next door and she feels threatened by all the intruders that arrive each evening. In case you’re wondering, they were there last night.
This seemingly endless problem was already supposed to have been addressed by city staff and police. There was an action plan in place …and then it subsequently fell off the radar. Now that the house has partly burned, it will take even more investment to stabilize and redevelop.
This is not the way renewal of communities is supposed to happen. I know you know this. What you may not know is that City Hall has also contributed to the neglect. Neighbors I talk with along Pinewood Avenue feel ignored.
Please refer to the attached photographs taken this morning of the still-unsecured home. They tell the story beyond words.
My Questions:
1) When will the City act to re-board 4719 Pinewood Avenue, pick up the debris, mow the lawn, and take action against the absentee homeowner for gross neglect?
2) When will the City’s legal staff Use the Nuisance Abatement Ordinance to seize this home and resell it to a deserving family that will renovate it?
3) Can you investigate why the nightly police patrols stopped and why the Code Compliance Division staff has not ordered a City-boarding and clean up? This is their beat.
This property should have been redeveloped long ago. I’ve written so many letters. Unfortunately the City appears to have no comprehensive redevelopment strategy in place for Northwood Estates. This neighborhood seems to remain an overlooked and underserved community.
This house is the poster child of neglect. But City Hall still has a key role to play here. If the property owner had been forced to sell a decade ago (through the City’s Nuisance Abatement Ordinance), then another family would have already taken ownership, rebuilt the structure and would be living here today.
I urge you Mayor James, to take a special look at this individual problem, as well as the larger systemic issues facing Northwood Estates.
Please respond to me how we can make this right.
Sincerely,
Northwood Shores Neighborhood Association, NCON board member
Copy:
Faye Johnson, City Administrator, City of West Palm Beach
Armando Fana, Assistant City Administrator, City West Palm Beach
Marcus Laws, Homeless Coordinator, City of West Palm Beach
Chief Frank Adderley, Chief of Police, City West Palm Beach
Rick Morris, Deputy Chief of Police, City of West Palm Beach
Mitch Posner, Director of the Code Compliance Division, City of West Palm Beach
Mark Joyce, Code Compliance Division, City of West Palm Beach
Christopher Thompson, Code Officer, Code Compliance Division, City of West Palm Beach
Kelly Shoaf, City Commissioner, District 1, City of West Palm Beach
Leave No One Behind, America Did Just That.
UpDate 8/31/2021 @ 1:32 PM
August 26, 2021, 9:30 AM EDT bombing
Manuel Balce Ceneta American soldier coming home.
“A Navy carry team moves a transfer case containing the remains of Navy Corpsman Maxton W. Soviak, 22, of Berlin Heights, Ohio, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, during a casualty return at Dover Air Force Base, Del. According to the Department of Defense, Soviak died in an attack at Afghanistan’s Kabul airport, along with 12 other U.S. service members supporting Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.”
U.S. Rep’s. Lois Frankel, D-Fla. “I join those condemning the horrific attacks that claimed so many innocent lives, including those of American servicemembers. As the 
mother of a U.S. Marine veteran who served in Afghanistan, my heart is grieving for the families of those who were injured or killed,“Like so many Americans, I am grateful to our military, and our diplomatic and intelligence communities for their courage and patriotism.” It is illegal to place political signs on government property which Frankel and James are well aware. Here they are endorsing Biden for president. One of the worse traits of politicans is they can’t admit they may have been wrong. So what do they do? Must be Trump’s fault.
Watching the news I saw and listened to Congresswoman Lois Frankel speak on the bombing in Afghanistan’s Kabul airport. Frankel showed pictures of her son, in military garb, who served in Afghanistan and came home when his tour was up, and when questioned about Biden’s handling of the situation she said “this is not a time for politics., and I have faith in President Biden” I have been all over the internet and couldn’t find the interview to show readers. It’s gone! I don’t understand Frankel’s son being part of the story, and I assume it is the pride she has in her son’s service. I’m glad he’s safe but I can’t help but think thirteen members of the military were returned in flag draped coffins. Frankel can call her son and invite him for Sunday dinner. Family members of the 13 fallen heroes will never have the chance.
Aug. 6 — The Taliban takes control of its first province — the capital of Nimroz province in Afghanistan — despite the agreement it signed with the U.S.
Aug. 15 — Taliban fighters enter the Afghanistan capital Kabul; the Afghan president flees the country; U.S. evacuates diplomats from its embassy by helicopter.”
Aug. 16 — In a speech to the nation, Biden says, “I do not regret my decision to end America’s warfighting in Afghanistan,” and deflected blame for the government’s swift collapse.
https://www.factcheck.org/2021/08/timeline-of-u-s-withdrawal-from-afghanistan/
The problem I’m having is why were the troops withdrawn before every American was safely removed and how about the thousands of Afghans who helped America in the war?
“U.S. officials in Kabul gave the Taliban a list of names of American citizens, green card holders and Afghan allies to grant entry into the militant-controlled outer perimeter of the city’s airport, a choice that’s prompted outrage behind the scenes from lawmakers and military officials.”
Now the Taliban has a list of names they can hunt down and murder.
WASHINGTON, Aug 30 (Reuters) “For the first time since 2001 there are no American troops in Afghanistan after the United States completed the evacuation of most of its citizens and thousands of at-risk Afghans.
The Biden administration has said it expects the Taliban to continue allowing safe passage for Americans and others to leave Afghanistan after the U.S. military withdrawal is completed.” My grandmother called that thinking Delusions of Grandeur, I believe it applies here.
Tens of thousands of at-risk Afghans, such as interpreters who worked with the U.S. military, journalists and women’s rights advocates, have also been left behind. It is unclear what their fate will be but officials are concerned that the Taliban may retaliate against them. Some officals are willing to tell the truth.
https://www.reuters.com/world/what-happens-now-that-us-troops-have-left-afghanistan-2021-08-30/
My final thought. This war in far from over. The fight will continue if not in Afghanistan then on the shores of America. Another Biden blunder, open our borders where US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said it caught 180,034 migrants, mostly single adults, in May.” Thats one month, and please take a moment to read the graph.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-57422618
Hopefully our airports are safer now since 9/11/2001 after terrorists entered the US and may have been told “Welcome to America” we taught them to fly planes, and they flew them into buildings. America was under attack. We entered Afghanistan. Is it possible the hundreds of thousands of illegals entering America do not mean us harm.
I don’t know the answer, I do know that America should never, ever leave American’s behind on the battlefield.
Now we have, but Biden met his deadline of withdrawal. Why don’t I feel good about it?
Cornerstone New $80,000.00 Contract
“MEMO
To: Keith A. James, Mayor
From: Stacey R. Weinger, Sr. Asst. City Attorney
Date: January 31, 2020
Matter No: 24597.001
Dept. 100 Mayor’s Office
Re: Cornerstone; Park Bond; Educational Campaign; Priority Contract”
The 12 page contract was signed by Mayor Keith James and Rick Asnani on 2/4/2020. The entire contract for $80,000.00 can be read below.
“REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
RFP No. 19-20-206
Educational Campaign Services To Inform Voters about the Park Bond Referendum
(Revision 12.11.19)
The City of West Palm Beach hereby solicits proposals from responsible and qualified firms to provide educational campaign services to inform voters about the upcoming referendum on the issuance of a bond to fund improvements to the City’s Parks.”
I placed a PRR to see if any companies supplied proposals and 3 companies did.
1: L.B. Limited & Associates, Inc.
2: Upscale Events by Mosaic, LLC D.B.A. The Mosaic Group
Ann Marie Sorrell, President & CEO
3: Cornerstone Solutions, Rick Asnani, President & CEO.
The second proposal, Upscale Events by Mosaic, please notice the owner is a woman. How serious is James with his ” Mayor’s Task Force for Racial & Ethnic Equality” Also on the City website this humerous little piece reads in part:
“Sec. 66-257. – Purpose. (a)The MWBE program is intended to eliminate discrimination against MWBEs with respect to certain contracting opportunities as found in the disparity study. The MWBE program is intended to provide opportunities for participation by minority-owned and women-owned business”
(MWBE) “Minority/Women Business Enterprise.
By now readers are aware the contract was awarded to Cornerstone Solutions, Mayor Keith James Political Advisor and Campaign Manager.
If you recall the last 2 stories and contracts awarded to Cornerstone the $248,000.00 contract (Covid-19) didn’t need City Commissioners approval due to James declaring it an “Emergency” and the $29,500.00 contract (Census) also didn’t receive conversation or a vote from Commissions due to the contract being under $50,000.00.
I attend most City Commission meetings and didn’t recall the Park Bond being on the agenda, and placed another PRR for the date of the meeting where the Commissioners voted approval of the $80,000.00 contract.
My request in part:
“One more issue with this contract. Could you please send me the date the City Commissioners voted to approve the contract to Cornrtstone Solutions for Contract # 24597.”
City’s response:
“According to the City’s records, did contract did not go before the City Commission.”
Well, there you have it a Mayor who does what he wants, when he wants, make the rules as he goes along, and seriously who’s to stop him?
I remind readers:
8/19/2021 James has declared “State of Emergency, and as I said previously I smell another Cornerstone Solutions contract in the making.
“FURTHERMORE, pursuant to Section 252.38(3){a)5 Florida Statutes, I hereby exercise my authority to waive the procedures and formalities otherwise required by law pertaining to:”
There are 8 procedures & formalaties James can waive and I listed #2 & 8. The entire list can be read below.
#2. Entering into contracts; #8. Appropriation and expenditure of public funds.
https://www.wpb.org/home/showpublisheddocument/3770/637649812683770000
Cornerstone Solutions has received a total of $357,500.00 in contracts without a question or comment from residents or City Commissioners.
I received this comment from a reader after posting the last story, and liked it enough to share with readers.
“Emergency power supersedes everything, thus the five Commissioners are just props on the dais. we have five props. “Prop” a pole or beam used as a support or to keep something in position, typically one that is not an integral part of the thing supported”
Contract can be read here: Cornerstone Contract $80,000.00
RFP can be read here: Cornerstone & 2 additional proposals $80,000.00 contract
The end.
Cornerstone Receives $29,500.00 Contract.
My comments and questions in Italic
MEMO
To: Keith A. James, Mayor
From: Samuel A. Thomas, Sr. Asst. City Attorney
Date: September 15, 2020
Matter No: 26085
Dept. 290 HCD
“Services: The Services shall include: Cornerstone will conduct census outreach services. Cornerstone will help plan, create, and implement communications about the importance of completing the 2020 Census.”
Re: Cornerstone Solutions Florida; 2020 Census Outreach Svs.; Consulting; MP
Contract/ CO/ WO Amount: $ 29,500 Est. Expiration Date: 9 -30-2020
If authorised by the Procurement Code, the procurement method is: consulting service under $50K.
#3 Fee: The total Fee paid to Consultant shall be: Twenty-nine Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($29,500.00), based upon: Budget amounts within the Budget categories may be adjusted as long as the total Budget does not exceed $50,000″
The 7 page contract # 26085 was signed by Mayor Keith James and Rick Asnani on 9/16/2020, and the contract can be read below.
The Mayor can use taxpayer dollars without the City Commissioners vote, and possible knowledge, as long as the total dollar amount does not exceed $50,000.00. In 2 day’s this contract was signed, sealed and delivered and I have no knowledge if the contract paid out more than $29,500.00 or $49,999.99.
Cornerstone Contract $ 29,500.00
The previous contract saw tax dollars awarded to Cornerstone for $248,000.00 and all the Mayor needed to do was declare a “DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY” and again City Commissioners vote was not needed, along with no bids for the contract. Cornerstone contract was for an “EMERGENCY SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR COVID-19 VACCINATION ADMINISTRATION PROGRAM”
Here we go again! On Aug.19,2021 Mayor Keith James declared:
“City of West Palm Beach Declaration of State of Local Emergency” (Public Health Emergency- COVID-19)
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Keith A. James, Mayor of the City of West Palm Beach, Florida, do hereby declare a State of Local Emergency, effective immediately, for the City of West Palm Beach Florida, pursuant to Chapter 166 and Section 252.38(3){a)5, Florida Statutes, and Section 2-2 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of West Palm Beach. This State of Emergency shall be effective for seven (7) days, unless terminated earlier.
FURTHERMORE, pursuant to Section 252.38(3){a)5 Florida Statutes, I hereby exercise my authority to waive the procedures and formalities otherwise required by law pertaining to:
1. Performance of public work and taking whatever prudent action 1s necessary to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the community;
2. Entering into contracts;
3. Incurring obligations;
4. Employment of permanent and temporary workers;
5. Utilization of volunteer workers;
6. Rental of equipment;
7. Acquisition and distribution, with or without compensation, of supplies,
materials and facilities;
8. Appropriation and expenditure of public funds.
The State of Emergency may be extended for additional periods of seven days.”
The entire Mayor’s State of Local Emergency can be read below and I smell another contract in the making.
https://www.wpb.org/home/showpublisheddocument/3770/637649812683770000
Two contracts issued to Cornerstone Solutions totaled $277,500.00 and still rising. Cornerstone was also awarded a contract for $ 80,000.00 to promote the Parks Bond Educational Campaign in Jan. 2020. When I receive the PRR (Public Records Request) I requested the story will be forthcoming. Total contracts to Cornerstone $357,500.00.
I can’t help but wonder why the contracts were not awarded to businesses owned by minorities and women. Did Mayor James forget his “Mayor’s Task Force for Racial & Ethnic Equality” James did remember his Political Consultant Cornerstone Solutions.
Dec.2018 under former Mayor Jeri Muoio:
WEST PALM BEACH — “The West Palm Beach City Council voted unanimously to approve the creation of a Minority/Women Business Enterprise Program after a study showed businesses owned by women and minorities were underrepresented among government contractors.” Read the PB Post story below.
https://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/20181218/new-west-palm-approves-plan-to-increase-women-minority-owned-business-program
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No Misuse Of City’s Fire Fee?
8/4/2021 Mayor/City Commission Budget Work Session. Fire Assessment Fund.
This presentation was to be presented by Mr. Mark Parks, Chief Financial Officer for the City.
8/2/2021 (Mon.) Mr. Parks was removed from City Hall and placed on paid administrative leave.
8/4/2021 I attended the Mayor/City Commission Work Session and asked a City Commissioner why Mr. Parks was escorted from City Hall, and the answer was “I didn’t hear anything about it”
8/5/2021 Ms. Johnson sent a text to City Commissioner informing them of Mr. Parks being escorted from City Hall. When text are used by public officals how easy is it to tell residents requesting a PRR (public Records Report) it does not exist.
THE MEETING for the Fire Assessment Fund
If you choose to open Ms. Johnson’s comments which was taken from the City Website.
“City Administrator Johnson: Fire Fees Support Valued Fire Services for the Public’s Safety”
At the end of the statement you will see:
“Click here to watch City Administrator Faye Johnson’s presentation at the August 4, 2021 Budget Work Session.” Ms. Johnson’s presentation runs for 1:17:34 and you will see the history of when the Fire Fee was established, previous City Commission meetings when Former City Administrator Jeff Green gave his presentation on why the City should double the fire fee from $50 to $100, and former City Commission Cory Neering request quarterly reports on the fire fund.
“Click here to download a copy of the PowerPoint from City Administrator Johnson’s presentation.” The Powerpoint consists of 35 slides and I have posted slide # 11.
” Slide 11 FY09 – FY18 Fire Assessment Fee
• The total Fire Assessment Fee collected for the period was $19,675,963 of which:
$11,434,115 (H) was allocated within the Fire Assessment Fund and $8,241,848 was allocated to the General Fund.”
Firefighters have always claimed the fire fee collected was not always used for the purpose of the collection, and the City has made their point.
“During the Budget Work Session, the City Administrator refuted the union’s deceptive and untrue claim of fire fee funds ‘misuse.’ Ms. Johnson affirmed the city’s proposed uses, as well as past uses, are indeed legal, compliant with city code, and appropriate”
“I want to start out by emphatically stating that there has been no misuse of the City’s fire fees. Secondly an objective is to clear up the descrepancy about the 2019 commitment on the use of the fire fee increase revenue. I want to have a discussion on the fallacies and what was represented to the board at that time, and then point out the missed opportunities to rectify the record. Also I want to clarify the transparency issue related to administration providing quarterly fire fee work sessions. So again three objectives confirm, clear up and clarify.”
City Commission meeting held 8/26/2019 requesting the Commissioners double the fire fee from $50 to $100.00. Former City Commissioner Cory Neering requested former city administrator, Jeff Greene have quarterly reports on the fire fee dollars, and Green agreed. At the time Johnson was the Assistant City Administrator.
From Aug. 2019 until Aug. 2021 Commissioners have not received one update. Commissioner Neering did not seek another term, Commissioners Fox and Warren were not yet elected. Why didn’t Lambert, Shoaf or Peduzzi follow up on Neering’s request? Please do so going forward.
Ms.Johnson said she didn’t have all the information and wasn’t going to guess at the figures for a quarterly report.
Johnson and James were instrumental in negotations for a new firefighter contract for over 11/2 years, how could she not have the figures?
Ms Johnson mentioned former City Administrator Jeff Greene on the fallacities and promises he made to the fire dept. concerning 2 new fire truck’s and firefighters to man the truck’s. The fire dept. received one new fire truck and the City hired a crew to manage it.
Reason the other fire truck wasn’t purchased, or a crew hired. The money was not in the budget. How about the $8,241,848 collected and allocated to the General Fund?
Ms. Johnson further states in part, and this is when I thought she sounded defensive.
“There are consequences if I as the City Administrator knowingly take action to either mis-use, mis-appropriate or mis-apply public dollars thats not an action that I am going to put 35 years of a stellar career in jeopardy, and just think about that, why would I? What do I stand to gain by knowingly mis-using, mis-appropriating or mis-applying fire assessment fees or any other fee’s in the City’s coffers. It does not make logical sense”
Ms. Johnson works at the pleasure of Mayor James and possibly a salary of $261,450 + benefits would be an incentive.
City Administrator Faye Johnson’s “Confirm use of fire fees complies with City Ordinance 4141-08. NO MISUSE OF FUNDS
2. Clear up discrepancy about 2019 commitment in use of Fire Fee Increase Revenue
• Fallacies in what was represented
• Missed opportunities to rectify record
3. Clarify transparency on quarterly Fire Assessment Fee Work Sessions
If you open “Click here to download a copy of the PowerPoint from City Administrator Johnson’s presentation.” you will view slides on the history of Fire Fee.
Ms. Johnson’s statement, presentation, and powerpoint can be seen below.
https://www.wpb.org/Home/Components/News/News/1945/16
This figure is what the City claims it received in 2020 for the Fire Fee fund
After placing a PRR (public records request) this is the figure sent from the tax office.
$89,398.76 difference.
The good news the City and Fire Dept. have reached an agreement on a new contract.
Update: In order to have the City’s Internal Audit Dept. do an audit of the Fire Fee collected it takes a vote of 3 of the 5 Commissioners to vote approval to audit the books. I respectfully ask the Commissioners to move forward with a City audit.
The end
Ghost Strikes Again
People were asked to join the Peace Walk on Fri. 8/6/2021 @ 7:30 PM.
When I arrived the Police had baracaded the streets where the walk would take place and residents living in Pleasant City knew something was happening.
When I first arrived the first thing I witnessed was a cop on a Segway with a young boy riding in front and smilling from ear to ear loving every minute of the ride. In my opinion that ride helped to build trust and respect for our police officers. My hope is when that young man hears a negative comment about police, he will remember the ride with a cop.
People who arrived were treated to a meal which included bags of McDonald’s hamburg and cheeseburgers along with trays of baked beans, potato salad, hotdogs and hamburgers, soda’s, water and assorted chips, and slushies for the kids, all food was donated by Ricky Wade, owner of a McDonalds franchise, and Derrick McCray owner of McCrays Barbecue who also generously donated his time to cook.
When everyone ate their meal it was time to walk it off, and Chief Adderley addressed the walkers stating “A 22-year-old that lived right here in this community just standing on Spruce and 17th streets was murdered one night. We had groups of about 15 that stood around and watched this homicide and we still don’t have any leads on it, The community is also dealing with open drug sales.” Story by WPTV (5) can be read below.
At 8:30 the walk began and we hadn’t walked very far when I noticed how dark it was and said a silent prayer I don’t embarress myself by stepping in a pothole, falling on my face. One picture is worth a thousands words , and this is an area we walked. I cant tell readers what street we were on because it was dark enough I couldn’t read the street sign. People I spoke to who live in the area told me they don’t dare go out at night for fear of the crime in the area.
Police will never get a handle on crime without the help of the residents and residents will never have peace without the help of the police. It’s a hand and glove operation. City leaders want their communities safe from preditors and don’t want to be on the list of most dangerous city’s to live in. I see it as residents, police and City Officials working together. The police are talking to city hall requesting street lights be added to the area, and it is a very dangerous area to reside in. The picture posted are residents walking, please double click to enlarge.
Entomologists are people who study insects, Police are people who study criminals. I searched for any animal/insect who feared the light for comparison and came away with the Cockroaches.
Will Keeping Lights On Keep Cockroaches Away? “Cockroaches are nocturnal and will avoid the light. However, that’s not because it harms them. They understand they cannot properly hide or evade predators in open sight.”
The specialized undercover GHOST unit have been busy arresting the 15 suspected felons in Pleasant City, and please note the majority of them live on or near Spruce St.
The cops and residents are trying to make a difference, now the city must do what is necessary to insure proper lighting in the area.
Is it possible to engage FPL in the conversation. The more street lights, the safer the streets.
FPL installs the light’s and residents pay the electric bill. Win-Win.
At the end of the night there were leftovers and officers Angel Vargas and Seth Buxton boxed a couple of meals, along with bottled water and delivered them to 2 homeless men living in a van on the route we had taken. Well done.
A special thank you to Steven Wright from R.C.G. (Risk Control Group) who accompannied me on the walk.
The End