WPB Non-Ad Valorem Tax
City Commission meeting held on 8/28/2017 item #18 on the agenda was Ordinance No. 4725-17 finding a special benefit and authorizing a non ad-valorem special assessment for Residential Solid Waste & Recycling collection services; and Resolution # 274-17 setting the assessment rate and approving the Assessment Roll”. What does that mean?
The city, with the help of Scott Kelly, Assistant City Administrator, found a way to reach deeper into our pockets and have a portion of residents bills namely “Residential Sanitation” which consist of Garbage & Trash and Recycling placed on the tax bill.
If you examine your bill from the city you will find 4 sections that resident are billed for and I offer my bill as an example.
(1) Residential Water:
Service Charge $21.43
Usage $2.41
Utility Tax $2.39
(2) Residential Wastewater:
Service Charg $12.24
Usage $3.61
(3) Residential Sanitation
Garbage & Trash $16.00
Recycling $2.85
(4) Residential Stormwater
Service Charge $13.17
First question: What is with the “Service Charge”? $46.84 total. Why not call it what it is?
So the city will remove $18.85 from our monthly billing and add $219.96 to our tax bill. I did not plan on this and already am short dollars to pay my tax bill in November, and how dare they bill us a year in advance for services not received. Their explanation “other cities do it” so that makes it alright?
Well the good news it didn’t pass to be placed of the tax rolls this year, but it is a certainty for next year. So this year we will pay the $18.85 monthly, and place the same amount in our monthly budget for 2018. There is some good news the recycling fee will be reduced from $2.85 to $2.33 saving residents a whopping $6.24 a year. I don’t know what people will do with their savings but I intend to have a gourmet meal at McDonalds.
I was one of several residents who spoke out about passing the non ad-valorem tax and placing it on our County tax roll. Mr. Kelly said it would save the city money on the billing by removing #3 from the monthly billing. How is that going to save the city money by removing it? Residents will still receive a monthly billing. I believe once the city places #3 on the tax roll they will find a way to raise one of the other 3 or invent a new one to take it’s place.
The bill I receive from the city is my highest bill including FPL.
I am one of thousands of retired workers living on Social Security and being responsible I pay my bills on time and never spend more money than what I receive. I pay my tax bill in November to save 4% of my total bill.
The last tax bill I receive I start to budget my money for the next tax year. This year I budgeted $123.00/ month, now it has jumped to $141.00 thanks to the city.
I can’t wait to see how the city will add the $18.33 we will be saving from our monthly bill. The last line in the notice received from the city speaks volumes. “”A rate study will be undertaken in 2018 to determine the needed level rates for future years”
So the city is giving you a heads up—–It’s coming, be ready,
Both Commissioner Ryan & Materio spoke up for the residents. Commissioners Neering & Moffett stayed mute, while Commissioner James asked if they could pass it and have it take effect next year. The answer was no.
Back to School
The city asked for volunteers to welcome children back to school, and I received an invitation to participate at the Northmore Elementary School. I accepted the invitation and it was a memorable occasion and I couldn’t imagine a better way to spend a couple of hours.
After parking my car the first thing I noticed were police officers waiting for the buses to arrive with the children.
I asked why they were there and they said to welcome the kids back to school, and when the buses pulled up they spread out and talked to as many of the kids as possible. Is it possible the next generation wont fear the police and know them as friends who can help if they have problems?
I asked where the volunteers were and was shown an area where 11 of us lined up to applaud and welcome the kids back to school. I didn’t realize there were many more volunteers at another entrance to the school. Turnout was wonderful.
You could tell the kids that were coming to school for the first time. The kindergartners looked scared to death, afraid of the unknown. The older children were all smiles and walked down the path and gave a hi-five to all volunteers. The parents also all smiles thanked us for being there.
What was a surprise to me was the number of fathers who accompanied their children to their first day of school. For many years that was always “mom’s job” and seeing dad’s so involved was 
heartwarming.
At one point in time Northmore was on the list for 20 worst schools, until Principle Vonda Daniels and her dedicated staff of teachers turned it around.
On 8/14/2017 at a City Commission meeting Mayor Muoio presented Ms. Daniels, along with Ilene Silber, Education Consultant with a Proclamation for “Attendance Awareness Month” Much deserved.
A special Thank You to Commissioner Neering for extending his “Ties that Bind” program, to include welcoming children back to school, and Matt Chambers for overseeing the volunteers, and it was no surprise to see Commissioner Moffett in attendance, who shared with me Mr. Green, a businessman donated 400 I-Pads to the school.
More Learning Opportunities
Get a Jumpstart on a trade and Career path at North Tech Pre- Apprenticeship program where you can learn Welding, Electrical, Carpentry, Plumbing or HVAC.
Classes are held Monday & Wednesday night from 6-9:30 PM.
Registration will be held Tuesday 8/22, Wednesday 8/23, and Thursday 8/24 from 6-8 PM
For more information please call 561-842-1063
The Vickers House, in partnership with PBC School District, will be offering GED/ABE classes to anyone interested in continuing their education.
Registration: August 14-25.
Tuition cost: $30.00 per semester, which will be waived if homeless or receiving food stamps.
Class schedule begin (Mon.) August 28,2017 ends Dec.15, 2017.
For more information please call 561-804-4970.
Youth & Young Adult Program (Must be ages 17-24) where you will learn Development Leadership skills, Receive money management training, Participate in field trips and community service activities, Explore interest and careers, Earn valuable credentials and engage in mock interviews and resume buildings.
Next class begins Sept.11,2017.
For more information please call: 561-340-1060 ext. 2361
Above are 3 learning opportunities. Just reach out and take a chance to improve your life.
The future of our waterfront is at stake!
Many of you have been following the major issues with Okeechobee Blvd and the proposal to change the land use and zoning to allow Related to build high rise at the Christian Science Church property, which currently has a 5 story height limitation. If you haven’t seen the article by Tony Doris in the Palm Beach Post, we have included the article at the end of this email.
So what is new?
A Mayor-Commission work session is scheduled for Monday July 24th at 10:00 AM at City Hall. While the public may not speak at this session, it is important to have people in attendance to hear the comments and be sure the Mayor and Commissioners know that the public is concerned about this issue.
The future of our waterfront is at stake!
Below is a brief piece that explains why the Commissioners requested the session. It should be noted that not only were the Commissioners not informed, the public wasn’t either. The only information that has been made available is from Related and their representatives. As you might expect, their focus has been on everything but the huge changes that must be made to accommodate their project. Interesting. Read the following articles below and see you on Monday July 24 at 10:00 am!
From the Palm Beach Post:
Word that the Mayor Jeri Muoio’s staff was moving ahead with a plan that could put an office tower near the waterfront sent city commissioners’ phones ringing this week.
Commissioner Paula Ryan said she’d fielded 700 emails on the hot-button issue. The mayor said she also had a folder filled with inquiries.
Problem was, the commission hadn’t been filled in so there wasn’t much they could say on the matter — the mayor’s Development Services staff had been treating it as an administrative matter at this stage and planned to bring it to the commission in the months ahead, after going through the Planning Board and Downtown Action Committee.
That’s going to change.
At Commissioner Shanon Materio’s request, Muoio this week agreed to schedule a mayor-commission work session on the plan, which would allow developer Related Cos. of New York to build a 25-story office tower on a site near the waterfront currently limited to 5-stories.
It was Related that came up with the idea but the city took the ball and ran with it, citing a shortage of first-class office towers with which to attract employers. Since spot-zoning — changing the zoning to favor a specific parcel, even if at odds with current zoning — isn’t Kosher, Related proposed that the city create a whole Okeechobee Boulevard business district that would include its site near the First Church of Christ, Scientist.
Materio said the point of her request was to slow the approval process down a bit, so that commissioners, the city’s policy-making body, can have a better sense of where the administration is headed before the plan goes to the other boards.
“We have no idea right now of what is being put together,” she said.
Plans for waterfront tower advance despite public’s ‘no’
Voter referendums can’t dictate a city’s ability to set its zoning.
By Tony Doris Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
The 25-story office tower project known as One Flagler would rise next to the First Church of Christ, Scientist, about 300 feet west of Flagler Drive. CONTRIBUTED
WEST PALM BEACH — Despite a voter-approved ban on building skyscrapers on West Palm’s downtown waterfront, the city is pressing forward with a plan that would allow one developer — Related Cos. of New York — to do just that.
Related in April submitted an application to create an Okeechobee Business District that would allow the CityPlace developer to build a 25-story office tower 300 feet from the waterfront.
The city, pressed by a citizens’ group this past week about how a developer could create a district that governs other people’s property, said it planned to return the application and initiate the change itself.
The move puts the city in the position of reworking its state-mandated long-term growth plan, known as a comprehensive plan, to suit a developer, using the developer’s application as a guideline, to advance a city goal of adding much-needed office space.
What about the 5-story limit? A court precedent from a few years ago, stemming from city efforts to redevelop the old City Hall site, said voter referendums can’t dictate the city’s ability to set its zoning, according to Development Services Director Rick Greene.
The city commissioners would have to approve the plan for it to be enacted. Greene and his staff are working on its wording and expect to place it before the five-member board by the end of the year.
Related officials, along with land-use attorney Harvey Oyer III, have spent months trying to sway opponents to support their project, known as One Flagler. It would rise next to the First Church of Christ, Scientist, about 300 feet west of Flagler Drive.
They’ve boasted about hiring the One World Trade Center architect to design it, about their plan to preserve the historic church designed by a vaunted African-American architect and to help the city with solutions to downtown congestion.
The new business district that would include Related’s site is meant to serve as a center for high-paying jobs and to encourage high-quality, innovative design “to create a distinctive skyline,” according to Oyer’s application. The district would add consistency and predictability to an area currently subject to “a hodgepodge of varying zoning regulations,” he wrote.
The plan “ensures the perpetual public view of the waterfront by restricting buildings within 300 feet of the west right-of-way line of Flagler Drive,” according to the application.
Officials with Related Cos. of New York, along with land-use attorney Harvey Oyer III, have spent months trying to sway opponents to support their project, known as One Flagler.
“It’s nothing new that the city wants more Class A offices, whether this building or any other office tower in the city,” said West Palm’s economic development director, Christopher Roog.
On July 20 Roog will keynote a luncheon of the Florida East Coast Chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America, an event sponsored by Related.
“Our presenter will talk about Related’s project and its impact on the construction economy as well as the City of West Palm Beach,” said a flier for the event. “It’s not an endorsement of the Related project,” Roog told The Palm Beach Post. “We want them all. We don’t have any capacity.” Is it the city’s plan or developer’s plan?
Nancy Pullum, who heads watchdog group Citizens for Thoughtful Growth, said the interaction between the city and developer has the public confused.
On the one hand, Related has spent months making elaborate presentations before groups of residents, the city Planning Board and Downtown Action Committee, selling the project and having Oyer craft the Okeechobee Business District plan to create a high-rise corridor from Rosemary Avenue to Flagler.
On the other hand, the city, rather than acting as an independent evaluator of the proposed project, says it is initiating the plan for the district, which clearly was invented to allow Related’s tower.
Is this the city’s plan, the mayor’s plan or Related’s plan? Pullum asks, “Who’s pushing this anyway?”
One architect of the 5-story limit, lawyer Reginald Stambaugh, said there’ll be a political price if the city ignores the people’s will.
“The waterfront was protected and has remained protected with the referendum intact,” said Stambaugh, who drafted the original language of the referendum question. “If the city representatives want to change that, then they’re up against the residents, who overwhelmingly voted to limit the heights along the waterfront.”
City has followed procedure in past
Development Services Director Greene said that just because his department is drafting an Okeechobee Business District plan doesn’t mean his boss, the mayor, will endorse it or commissioners will vote for it.
And it’s not unusual for the city and a developer to work together, he said. The Related application was meant to help his staff understand what the developer wanted, so staff could take it into consideration as they draw up the city version, he said.
“We asked Related to submit the application but realized they could not get owners’ consent for all the properties within the proposed corridor, so the city thought it best for us to move forward with the application.”
Related attorney Oyer confirmed that.
The city followed the same procedure on a number of occasions, Greene said. For example, it did so with developer Jeff Greene’s (no relation) One West Palm project, a proposal for two 30-story towers on Quadrille Boulevard, several blocks west of the waterfront, which also required a zoning change and a change to the city’s comprehensive plan for downtown.
The city incorporated some of what that developer liked and “tightened up the language,” Rick Greene said.
“It happens more times than you would think,” he said of the cooperation between the city and a developer.
That might be so, but developer Jeff Greene has threatened to cancel his $250 million project if the city rewrites its height rules to allow Related’s competing tower with waterfront views he can’t match.
This is the second time in the past year that the city has moved to create a district that would allow high-rises in the 5-story area.
First the city crafted a plan to designate a Flagler Waterfront District, a north-south section of downtown where it would ease height limits to encourage top-flight office construction.
Despite support for the district from the chamber of commerce, Business Development Board and Related, downtown residents flocked to public meetings to complain that 30-story towers there would block condo views, grid-lock streets and destroy the city’s small-town ambience.
“We are now ‘going back to the drawing board’ to rethink how to add this office space in the Flagler Financial District while keeping in mind our stakeholders’ feedback,” Mayor Jeri Muoio said in November after the city’s Downtown Action Committee recommended against the plan.
The latest plan, the Okeechobee district, amounts to “trying to do a work-around,” in watchdog Pullum’s view.
The two districts, the old north-south one and the new east-west one, have just one property in common: the site where Related wants to build.
If you have no interest in what is happening in this particular part of the city, how will you react when developers take an interest in your neighborhood and see dollar signs.
The waterfront is the jewel of West Palm Beach and we, the residents,taxpayers and homeowners are losing our right to visit beaches along with our quality of life.
Of course we can always drive along the water front, but do it fast before the next high rise appears and blocks the view, and remember what we once had and lost due to lack of attention or caring.
What are Commissioner’s Thinking?
How is West Palm Beach City Government run?
The Mayor makes policy for the city.
The five City Commissioners are entrusted with tax payers dollars and I expect them to be diligent and conscientious with their decision’s to spend, not throw away tax payers dollars. I expect government responsibility, and wise decisions made too provide for the future of WPB.
The City Commissioners also sit as the CRA board.
Here’s the story.
1/9/2017 at a Special CRA meeting developer Michael Masanoff informed city leaders he needed $114 million taxpayer dollars to build a Transit Oriented Development project in downtown West Palm Beach and three City Commissioners voted their approval for the payout over the strong objections of the city’s Finance Director, City Administrator, and CRA Executive Director.
Mayor Muoio vetoed the commissioners vote, but unfortunately it may not over. Below is an open letter to residents from the mayor explaining her decision. Please take time to read her message. At the end of her letter I have listed the commissioner’s name and e-mail address, along with my comment. Please take the time to send them an e-mail and express your thoughts.
An Open Letter to Our Residents from West Palm Beach Mayor Jeri Muoio
Yesterday, for the first time as Mayor of the City of West Palm Beach, I exercised my authority to veto a vote by our city commissioners.
The commissioners, serving as members of the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board, voted Monday to give away $114 million dollars in future tax revenue to a private developer.
The developer, Michael Masanoff, wants to build a mixture of residential, office and hotel space in an area just north of the downtown TriRail station. His project is commonly known as the Transit Oriented Development (TOD). Monday Mr. Masanoff asked the CRA to give him $114 million dollars in return for building his project.
The deal gives Mr. Masanoff one hundred percent of tax revenue created by the project for twenty-nine years. We would receive no property taxes created by the project until approximately 2045.
The vote to give away the tax dollars was 3-2. Commissioners Paula Ryan, Shanon Materio, and Keith James voted in favor of the payment. Commissioners Cory Neering and Sylvia Moffett voted against it. As the Chairperson of the Board, I do not vote. The Board’s approval came over the strong objections of the city’s Finance Director, City Administrator, and CRA Executive Director. All three testified the project does not warrant such a level of funding.
Even in our city’s darkest economic times, we have never given away one hundred percent of our tax revenues to a developer.
CityPlace, built at a time when no developer would consider construction in or around the acres of blight that afflicted our downtown, only received eighty percent of the tax revenues as an incentive. Surely today, with billions of dollars in new development in the pipeline, we do not need to use $114 million dollars of public money to convince a developer to build in our city.
I have heard the argument that this is essentially “found” money only generated because of the project. Supporters claim there would not be $114 million dollars if it were not for the project. Do we really believe the only way for a project to succeed in today’s economy is to receive a $114 million dollar government handout?
Michael Busha, the Executive Director of the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council, even while testifying in favor of the TOD, admitted that he had never heard of this level of public support being offered for a private sector project.
The precedent set by this level of public subsidy is irresponsible and dangerous. And with all due respect to my colleagues on the dais who claim this deal sets no precedent, they are not fielding the calls to my office from other developers outraged at the preferential treatment.
No incentive package for a developer has ever approached anything close to $114 million dollars. Even the multi-use project planned for our old city hall site, for example, is receiving less than $3 million dollars in public incentives.
My decision to veto the funding is not easy. A transit-oriented development supports many of my administration’s goals. Alternative modes of transportation, walkability and reducing carbon emissions are all priorities close to my heart. I support the project. But I do not believe we should give away $114 million dollars of the public’s money to get it.
I applaud Commissioners Cory Neering and Sylvia Moffett for seeing the error of granting such a deal, and I hope their colleagues on the CRA Board have a change of heart should this issue return for additional consideration.
Mayor Muoio
On 1/17/2017 there will be a Special CRA meeting and the City Commissioners may attempt to override her veto.
The 3 commissioners who voted in favor of the developer are Commissioners James, Materio and Ryan.
Two commissioners who voted on the side of the taxpayers are Commissioners Moffett and Neering.
Mayor Muoio’s term as mayor will end in 2019, and I will bet there are a minimum of 2 and possibly 3 are considering a run for her seat. Do they expect this to be forgotten, or brought up over and over again at election time. The commissioners hold their seat because people believed they would work for the good of the people, not every developer that comes down the pike. Here are their addresses and please remember “Silence means Acceptance. It will take 4 votes to override Mayor Muoio’s veto.
Mayor Jeri Muoio [email protected]
Commissioner Keith James [email protected]
Commissioner Shanon Materio [email protected]
Commissioner Paula Ryan [email protected]
Commissioner Sylvia Moffett [email protected]
Commissioner Cory Neering [email protected]
WPB has a new Chief of Police
“Conduct national search for police chief” is the opinion of the Palm Beach Post as written in the editorial page on Dec.18,2016.
Noticeably missing is the name of the author who penned the article so whether one agrees or disagrees with the editorial there is no name attached if the reader wanted to respond to the author directly.
The Post mentions just five days have passed between Chief Kummerlen announcing his retirement and Mayor Muoio would have Assistant Chief Sarah Mooney, a 22 year veteran as the new Chief of Police. The post goes on to report “Indeed, Mooney appears to be more than qualified to run the 400 person Police Department. As The Post Tony Doris reported, she has a Masters in social work, experience in community outreach and years of work as a hostage negotiator, police trainer, field operations supervisor, and Patrol Division shift commander and Internal Affairs commander.”
With Sarah Mooney’s credentials why does the Post feel ” the city– all of the city– would benefit from a national search to ensure the best person is found for the job”.
The Post found it necessary to mention retiring County Administrator Bob Weisman who was replaced by Deputy County Administrator Verdenia Baker. The story went on to say how much time and money the county wasted looking for a replacement, but states it was time well spent as commissioners and residents were emboldened in the choice of Baker to guide the county. Obviously it was okay with the Post to fly recruits in, put them up in a hotel, pay for transportation and food just to ensure Ms. Baker was right for the job. By now you should realize your taxpaying dollars was used for the county job search.
Thank you Mayor Muoio for not putting city residents through that particular process and wasting taxpayer dollars, when the best candidate for Police Chief was already on the WPB police force.
For the last year I have marched in every Peace March the city has sponsored in the North End of the city where black on black crime and shootings are commonplace. At these walks is when I first noticed Assistant Chief Mooney. In the story the Mayor states “I’ve been watching her for a few years, the way she interact with the public.”
Folks who walk these marches have a minimum of 5 or 6 police officers accompany them keeping everyone safe in the process. What I’ve noticed is the comradery between her and the officers, the easy way they are with one another being able to joke and laugh and their respect for each other is mutual.
On 12/19/2016 the City Commissioners, (with the exception of Commissioner James who wanted a national search) Ratified Mayor Muoio choice for a new Police Chief, and that chief is Sarah Mooney. She has her work cut out for her with police officers due for retirement in 2017 and will need replacing.
I am keeping my eye on a cadet (JC) who is currently at the Police Academy and due to graduate in February. My last conversation with him he told me his grades were in the high 90’s, and he was looking forward to wearing the uniform of the West Palm Beach Police Dept.
Chief Mooney I wish you a smooth transition, and have no doubt you will lead the department with honor, trust and integrity.
I would like to thank Chief Bryan Kummerlen for his 26 years of service to the City of West Palm Beach, and wish him a healthy and happy retirement. You did good.
OIG & Elliot Cohen–The Investigation
Palm Beach County Commission on Ethics: (A Joke Commission)
A complaint with the Palm Beach County Commission on Ethics (COE) was filed on Sept. 23,2015 against Communication Director Elliot Cohen for violation of 2-443(d) of the Palm Beach County Code of Ethics “by entering into a prohibited contractual relationship with a vendor of the City of West Palm Beach”
Note: The company Mr. Cohen supposedly did business with was namely Redevelopment Management Associates (RMA) run by Kim Briesmeister, who headed the CRA from 2004 until Aug. 2013 when her bid to take over WPB CRA with a budget of 28 Million dollars was approved by the city.
A note of interest:
Mr. Cohen left the City of WPB for employment in the Broward County Sheriff’s Office and when his employment was terminated he returned to the City of WPB and his application for employment named Kim Briesmeister as a reference. Cohen & Briesmeister have years of history. Coincidence? I don’t believe in them.
On April 7, 2015 the COE went through the steps and conducted a hearing and reviewed the Memorandum of Inquiry, Report of Investigation, and Probable Cause Determination, and came to the conclusion “Public Report Finding No Probable Cause and Order of Dismissal.” One page report sent to the city.
This finding by the COE should be no surprise to anyone following politics in PB County. It rubber stamps most complaints against elected officials and employees such as Elliot Cohen. The COE members are appointed by the very people they may be called upon to investigate. It is my opinion the COE is as helpful in ending corruption as an astray on a motorcycle or a screen door on a submarine. It just don’t work.
Office of the Inspector General: (Only hope residents have for clean Government)
What you are about to read are the first two pages from the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) report on Elliot Cohen former Communication Director for the City of West Palm Beach.
On September 18, 2015 the office of Inspector General received complaints involving the City of West Palm Beach Director of Communications, Elliot Cohen.
The complaints alleged that (1) Mr. Cohen disclosed “classified and confidential information” relating to the City Police Department and other local and federal agencies to the public. The complaints also alleged that (2) Mr. Cohen used his position at the City, as well as, City time and resources to conduct his private business (Cohen Publicity). The complaints further alleged that (3) Mr. Cohen had a “side job” with City contractor Redevelopment Management Associates.(RMA) After requesting and receiving further information from the City regarding the first two of these allegations, the OIG initiated an investigation.
As to the allegations 1,2,and 3 the information obtained and reviewed by the OIG supports the allegations. The OIG found that Mr. Cohen disclosed “exempt” and “confidential and exempt information”. We concluded that Mr. Cohen had an obligation to ensure that “exempt” and “confidential and exempt information” was redacted before he disclosed the records. In addition, Mr. Cohen should have done an analysis of exempt information regarding criminal investigations to determine whether disclosure would have impeded an ongoing investigation or allowed a suspect to avoid apprehension or escape detention or put police/informants in danger. Additionally, we found that Mr. Cohen did use his position, government assigned office space, desk, computer, desk phone, and cell phone to conduct his Cohen Publicity business.
Finally, we found that Mr. Cohen, doing business as Cohen Publicity, had a contract with City contractor RMA before, during, and after the City let RFQL 12-13-407 and awarded the contract to RMA.
Information obtained regarding allegation 3 as it relates to F.S.112.313(7)(a) was referred to the State Attorney’s Office and the Florida Commission on Ethics for any actions they deem appropriate (as well as any other matters of interest within this report). The Palm Beach County Commission on Ethics dismissed a (C15-021) complaint against Mr. Cohen on April 7,2016 after concluding that no probable cause existed to believe that Mr. Cohen had a relationship with RMA that violated SS 2-443(d) of the PBC Code of Ethics.
Based on the information obtained during this investigation, the OIG developed three additional allegations.
Allegation 4 that Mr. Cohen misused his official public office or employment to solicit business for Cohen Publicity.
Allegation 5 that RMA did not properly disclose its business relationship with Mr. Cohen (Cohen Publicity) to the City during the procurement process for RFQL 12-13-407.
Allegation 6 that RMA did not properly disclose it was employing Mr. Cohen (Cohen Publicity) after it was awarded the above contract by the City.
As to allegation 4, it was referred to the PBC COE, the State Attorney’s Office, and the Florida State Commission on Ethics for any actions they deem appropriate.
As to allegation 5 and 6 the information obtained and reviewed by the OIG supports the allegations. The OIG found that RMA had a contract with Mr. Cohen (Cohen Publicity) that began prior to RFQL 12-13-407 being let and the contract with Mr. Cohen (Cohen Publicity) continued for over eight months after RMA was awarded the contract for RFQL12-13-407. We also found that RMA failed to properly disclose its contractual relationship with Mr.
Cohen (Cohen Publicity) both during the proposal period after being awarded the contract as required.
Based on our supported findings in allegations 3,5 and 6, and particularly that RMA did not disclose its business relationship with Mr. Cohen (Cohen Publicity) as required, we consider that the entire amount the City has spent to date on the RMA contract, $3,205,611.78 to be questioned cost.
The OIG recommends that the City:
1. Take appropriate personnel actions.
2. Take appropriate action to ensure that City employees adhere to General Administration, Chapter 1 Policy 1-2, Public Records Request.
3. Revise written policies and procedures on outside employment requiring employees to obtain approval for leave or work schedule adjustments prior to performing outside employment during the official business day. They should be clearly communicated to city employees and documented.
4. Establish internal controls that accurately represent actual hours worked by exempt City employees.
5. Review the city’s contract with RMA in light of the findings and information provided within this report and take appropriate action.
The responses to this report from the City, Mr. Cohen, and RMA are attached. A summary of these responses with our related comments begin on page 33.
The report from the OIG is 100 pages long and can be read in it’s entirety. Go to the website of the OIG and search Recent Reports.It will be found under
9-28-16 West Palm Beach Public Records 2016-002.
Mr. Cohen had the run of City Hall before he resigned before the OIG report was made public. He was well protected by Mayor Muoio who was told constantly of his discretion’s and attitude towards City employees and residents. He allowed Mayor Muoio to “protect” him, and she did an excellent job of it. She could have been loyal to Mr. Cohen or the folks who voted her into office. I’m sorry she chose him.
The City Commissioners sit as the CRA board and oversee Redevelopment Management Associates (RMA) and they should take another look and fix the situation they created years ago. The fix was in then and if they couldn’t see it they have no right to sit as a commissioner. Commissioners Neering and Ryan were not City Commissioners at the time, and could lead the charge on the miscarriage of justice forced on residents.
One more food for thought. Under the guidance of former City Attorney Claudia McKenna the City sued the OIG over payment, basically crippling their budget and slowing investigations such as the one above. After she retired she received a contract from the City for “consultation”. Her contract calls for $4800.00/month and has been in effect since May 13,2014. So far she has received $139,200.00. One more joke played on the taxpayers. Remember this when you are asked to approve the 1 cent sales tax, as this is a reason the City needs extra funds.
Unhappy with this story? Tell the mayor or commissioners.
One Cent Sales Tax Increase: What do you Think?
Last March the city asked voters to vote “Yes for WPB Jobs” with the signs going up throughout the city, and 68% of voters agreed, not realizing they were voting to grant property tax exemption to new businesses and the expansions of existing ones. This is exactly what government depended on, voters not being familiar with the issues.
Sneaky and underhanded but effective.
The State of Florida along with WPB, PBC Officials, and the Public School System are hoping to strike it rich if voters allow a one cent increase in the sales tax.
Here is my opinion on why you should vote No, and I offer examples.
Lets take schools and the information below was taken from the Florida Lottery website.
“Nov 4 1986 By a two-to-one margin, Florida voters approve a constitutional amendment authorizing the state to operate a lottery for the purpose of generating additional “funds for education.”
Did the State set up designated funds for schools with the lottery windfall? No, they did not. The billions, over thirty years were placed in the “General” fund, for politicians to spend as they see fit, including taking dollars from public schools and transferring it to political friends/allies who opened for profit Charter Schools, with hundreds failing in Florida. Another slap in the face after the school failures the money was not returned, not sought, and the failed school owner is allowed, in some cases, to keep the land and building.
It’s not what you know, but who.
According to Fortune Magazine who wrote on 1/13/2016 the article states where the money went from the recent $1.5 BILLION Powerball lottery.
50% Jackpot winners========= $750 Million
5% Administration=========== $37.5 Million
5% State General Fund======== $37.5 Million
11% Other================= $82.5 Million
29% Education============== $217.5 Million
21% of the $1.5 billion did not go to education, and you have to love the explanation where 11% went to “other” What is other? I believe $82.5 million deserves a better explanation than “other”.
The figures above represent $157.5 million not used for schools, and that is the report from one lottery.
“Other” is not raising teachers salaries, not building new schools, not repairing older schools, not insuring every student have books/supplies.
If you find the time to examine your tax bill for 2016, look where your taxes were spent. I offer mine as an example.
School Local================$201.08
School State================$403.61
Over $600.00 paid in 2016 for schools.
If the BILLIONS raised in the State Lottery over the last 30 years went to education, Florida would be graduating valedictorians instead of reading about “failing” schools.
A story in the PB Post written 4/29/2015. Here are a few highlights from the story. PBC, Florida School Board approved a contract for incoming school superintendent Robert Avossa, which included a base salary of $325,000.00, the highest paid in the state of Florida. Along with his salary he received $40,000.00 consulting fee for 21/2 weeks of orientation, $1,000.00 monthly stipend, a car, extra $24,000.00 annually for his retirement fund, a one million dollar life insurance policy, smart phone, computer, along with other perks brings his total compensation to $361,000.00 annually.
July 17, 2016. Story in the PB Post “Official demoted in bus crisis out-earns boss in new post” tells the story of Steven Bonino who works in a job created for him as part of his removal from his previous post as former chief of support operations and is earning $111,000.00/year.
What do you imagine the teacher who is responsible for your child 6=7 hours a day= 5 days a week earns?
At a recent WPB City Commission meeting City Administrator Jeff Green stated “Groceries” are not taxed. Mr. Green is correct.
Buy a loaf of bread and cold cuts, not taxed.
Buy a sandwich, ready to eat, Taxed.
Next time you are shopping take the time to read the sign that state what item’s can be found in a particular isle. The vast majority of the items are taxed. Next time you shop pay attention to your sales slip to see what is taxed.
Purchase a new car for $25,000.00.
Sales tax at 6% will cost you $1,500.00
Sales tax at 7% will cost you $1,750.00
Gas for your new car @ $2.25/gal. and you use 20 gal.
Sales tax @ 6% =$2.70
Sales tax @ 7% =$3.15
How many times a year do you fill your gas tank?
Family of four eat dinner at a restaurant. Bill comes to $80.00
Sales tax@ 6% = $4.80
Sales tax@ 7% = $5.60
How many times a year do you eat out?
Now lets look at the extra penny sales tax and businesses.
One story written on April 17,2016 “ex-cons defunct theater was on the list for sales tax funds” tells the story of the shuttered Prince Theater in Pahokee, which was purchased for $8,500.00 and was scheduled to receive $1.4 million dollars for a new makeover.
Despite no public vetting of the projects by government officials, county commissioners and school board members have embraced the proposal, agreed to commit $121 million to finance 23 private construction projects. Prince Theater was one such project, despite the councils assertion that each project had been “rigorously vetted.”
How many other projects slipped by and will receive tax payer dollars?
Once again I repeat it’s not what you know–but who.
New Sheriff In Town
On Aug.25,2016 I attended the Internal Auditor meeting and as usual received excellent information on city run business, which I will share with you.
1} To determine whether HCD is managed in accordance with HUD requirements and whether the City Administration exercised reasonable administrative oversight over the consultants brought in to manage the Department.
2} To review fiscal policies and practices to ensure that drawdowns were made correctly, program income was captured, and fiscal information was properly recorded in both the City’s financial information system and HUD’s system.
3} To ensure that grant recipients met the qualifications for assistance and that all files were maintained in accordance with departmental policies.
The August 25 meeting I heard many accolades concerning Mr. Fana and Ms. Ferriol, and the turnaround in the department. Mr. Fana stated he could not have done it without Ms. Ferriol and she stated she could not have done it without her staff. No glory hounds here, but credit for all.
Live in WPB—Stay Healthy—Or Pay Up
I am going to bring to your attention dates by underlining them, please pay attention to the year.
Item #11 on the Agenda for the WPB City Commission Meeting held on July. 8, 2011.
The city passed Resolution No. 190-11 establishing fees to be charged for the emergency medical transportation services provided by the West Palm Beach Fire Rescue Department. Below are the fees the city charges.
West Palm Beach effective October 1, 2011 Rates
ALS1 (Advanced Life Support 1) $700.00
ALS2 (Advanced Life Support 2) $750.00
(Specialty Care Transport) $850.00
Mileage Fee $12.00 /mile (If you live 1.1 mile from hospital you will be charged $24.00)
Waiting Fee $35.00 1/2 hour
Response to DOA (Dead on Arrival) $350.00.
Late Fee $3.00 / Month.
WPB City Minutes on item # 11
Commissioner Robinson asked questions regarding the fees and collection rates; Mayor Muoio noted that they did not have the rates before today, did not want to be the highest in the County; suggested matching Ft. Lauderdale rates; Commissioner James commented on collection rates for PBC and they were higher. Commissioner Moss asked if the level of service would remain the same. After discussion, it was decided that the City wanted to match the rates of Fort Lauderdale, and not be the highest in the County. Motion was made by Commissioner Moss, seconded by Commissioner James, to approve Resolution No. 190-11 as amended, and thereafter it was voted as follows: Ayes: Commissioners Moss, Moffett, James and Robinson. Commissioner Mitchell was absent. Motion therefore carried unanimously.
See how easy it is for City Government to pick your pockets.
Item # 13 on WPB City Agenda for May 27,2014
The city passed Resolution #133-14 which in part reads:
“Appropriating additional funds from the line of credit with JP Morgan to the construction budget for 3 fire station’s mentioned below.
#5 for change orders in the amount of $650,000.00.
#4 for change orders amounting to $2,360,000.00.
#8 for change orders amounting to $2,250,000.00.
The original project budget for #8 was $2,750,000.00, which included the shell construction, and did not take into account FF & E (Fire Fighters & Equipment) Shell construction means $2,750,000.00 was spent for a slab, roof, and 4 walls. Good deal for the contractor & not the taxpayer. The additional $2.2 million will be needed for dorms, restrooms, redesign 2nd. floor bunk rooms, computers, telephones, and contingency.
The mayor’s “staff” recommended the above be approved and City Commissioners did just that.
In my opinion the Commissioners should approve no project until they have the total cost of the project, meaning the cost of buying and clearing the land, pouring the slab, building the 4 walls, placing and covering the roof. Now let’s move inside. Framing the rooms, adding the electricity, water, cable and phone lines, adding sheet rock then painting inside and out. They should know the total cost of purchasing everything needed to insure the fire department has all equipment needed to run efficiently. Equipment needed would be Fire Engines, trucks, cars, personnel salary, benefits & uniforms, telephones, computers, beds, bed linen, furniture, refrigerators, stove, microwave oven, coffee maker, dishes, glasses, silverware, pots & pans, sinks, toilets, floor covering, landscaping. The items above and more go into building and furnishing a new fire dept. The city should receive a minimum of 3 bids, with a penalty clause for not completing the job on time.
A resident and senior citizen complained about the $700.00 transport charge at a City Commission meeting held 7/5/16 after he became ill and was transported to a local hospital. The resident mentioned the city collected approximately 3 million dollars in both 2014 & 2015.
I placed a PRR (Public Records Request) for the dollar amount the city received from 2011 through 2015. Below are the figures the city supplied
Figures City sent me
FY 10/11 2,034,461.86
FY 11/12 1,956,560.31
FY 12/13 1,911,861.02
FY 13/14 1,886,757.58
FY 14/15 1,873,849.88
Total $9,663,490.65
I questioned the figures, recalling the resident stating 3 million received the previous 2 years. I sent another e-mail asking how they arrived at those figures. Response below.
“In response to your request for additional information on the fire fees, attached is the document sent to me from Finance.”
I received the same figure amount as reported above in a different format.
Below are the figures supplied by a city employee who asked to remain anonymous.
FY 2012 2,723,993.00
FY 2013 2,357,994.00
FY 2014 3,144,304.00
FY 2015 4,034,342.00
FY 2016 3,365,000.00
—————————————
$15,625,633.00 Difference $5,962,143.00
Why is the Finance Dept. not reporting the true numbers? This is a windfall for the city and it targets the elderly, the residents most likely in need of an ambulance.
Obama Care has people on Medicare paying more out of pocket for health care which include higher deductibles for hospital stays, test, specialists and prescription medications. What Obama Care doesn’t take, the city of West Palm Beach found a way.
Your tax bill is due and please note you will pay an additional $25.00 for WPB Fire Service. How many more millions has this brought the city?
Commissioner Neering & Ties That Bind
I have witnessed how difficult it is for the city to have kids attend any type of program that would benefit their lives. Hard to get the word out, harder to draw them in.
Commissioner Cory Neering, understanding the problems with the youth in the Northend of the city had an idea. He gathered friends and acquaintances met with them over the course of a few months and Cory and 15 volunteers had a plan emerge. Now to put it into action.
The program was given the name “Ties That Bind” and it involved middle school children ages 12-15, an extremely vulnerable age.
Commissioner Neering approached the Roosevelt & Conniston Schools and the children were invited to attend.
Did they go? Yes, 61 children attended.
The program was held in the Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church on Saturday May 14 between the hours of 8:30 am – 1:30 pm.
There was a dress code and young men were required to wear a suit or sport jacket and bring a tie.
The program began with breakfast. Commissioner Neering gave an opening statement, then it was down to business.
The children were put into groups of 15 and they discussed the 4 topics below for approximately 30 – 40 minutes each then moved to the next topic.
Law Enforcement Encounters
Communication Skills
Decision Making/Conflict
Goal Setting, Entrepreneurship
The main complaint of the children were fear of the police. There were two police officers who attended and the interaction between the two was telling. There was roll playing and the police explained the importance of respecting the officer if they were stopped and questioned. Both the police and children had a better understanding of the role each played. It was an excellent exercise.
The mentors, which included business men, explained how important appearance was when applying for a job. Your hair should be cut, your clothes should fit, no baggy pants, you should be polite and respectful when being interviewed.
The fifteen men who volunteered their time to listen and teach this group of children are to be commended for a job well done.
Many of these young men come from one parent homes, and it’s generally the mom who is at home with their children. Things that are taken for granted such as teaching your son to tie a tie is lost on many. All 61 children with the help of their mentors learnt to wear a tie. I can only imagine how many young men still stand in front of a mirror practicing their new found skill.
When it was all over, they broke for lunch, with everyone eating together,the conversations continued. More questions asked and answered.
A young man, active in politics, asked Commissioner Neering if he objected to him approaching the City Commissioners of Boynton Beach and request they bring his program to their city. Commissioner Neering gave his blessing.
Many of the parents who attended with their sons thanked Commissioner Neering, and it is my understanding he still receives e-mail praising the program.
Commissioner Neering is holding another program in early October, date to be announced, and will once again reach out to the school children.
All this because Commissioner Neering had an idea. What a concept