Is WPB Destroying Records

May 3, 2023

PRR ( Public Records Request)

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

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

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

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

Here are the times I ask for your attention.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CC meeting 12/12/2022 part 2 of 2

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

Comment Card 12-12-2022 CC Meeting

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

The end?