City Commission meeting 12/11/2023 Ord. 5078-23
January 2, 2024
Meeting ran for 2:44:12 Comments from the public start at 2:13:40
Item # 9.1 Public Hearing and Second Reading of Ordinance 5078-23.
Start 30:23. Ends 45:11. Fifteen minutes is all it took for the Mayor and City Commissioners to approve Ordinance 5078-23 which would punish FNB and their supporters if they fed the homeless population of WPB.
I spoke along with Lauren Griffith to oppose the Ordinance. Remainder of the time Commissioner Warren questioned if what I said was true that organizations were closed on the weekends and unavailable to feed.
Assistant City Administrator Fana says several churches feed on the weekends. Listen to Mayor Keith James quote numbers of how many the city has helped which in my opinion are totally fictitious numbers, then read what Mr. Fana wrote in his response to me. Listen as City attorney’s don’t know the answers to questions asked. James with his words of wisdom want the homeless to learn to fish so they can eat for a lifetime.
At the end of the meeting comes Public Comment which Started @ 2:13:34 I asked Mr. Fana for a PRR on who feed the homeless on the weekends. He gave me a “thumbs up” which I took as a sign it would be sent. It wasn’t. I placed a PRR in writing and received his response below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AytlZPLnts
Hello Ms. Matkivich,
I’ll start by pointing out that this is not a public records request because there are no specific records or services that the City offers regarding your request. Having said that through my previous experience with the homeless population and working with local organizations I am aware of several options for individuals to access donated food on weekends. The below agencies offer or have offered weekend food donations. Whether some or all of them still do I cannot confirm but it is likely that most still offer it.
St. Ann’s Catholic Church- Have provided Saturday food distributions off of 2nd St building.
True Fast Ministries- 638 6th St
Redemptive Life Fellowship- 561-429-3586
Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church (Sunday mornings)
There is a church group on N. Dixie near St. Ann’s Place that also does some food distribution on weekends.
There are likely more faith based organizations doing this type of work that I am not aware of as well. I also made the point that the ordinance restrictions are for large group feedings meant for 25 or more people. There is nothing that restricts you or anyone else from going to places and providing a handout to any individual or several individuals who may need assistance.
I would recommend that you contact local non-profits who are actively working with the unhoused population, such as the Lord’s Place, and see what types of volunteer opportunities exists. I can tell you from many years of experience that food is not lacking for the unhoused populations. What is lacking is supportive housing, substance abuse and mental health treatment and healthcare. While food is a basic need there are many organizations that are providing it and there are means to get it to people who need it. It is the easiest form of assistance to provide, thus why many individuals flock to provide it. Non-profits who work daily with the unhoused are in a better position to know what types of volunteer opportunities are the most effective to assist the unhoused.
Regards,
Armando Fana
How accurate is Mr. Fana’s response?
St. Ann’s Catholic Church- Have provided Saturday food distributions off of 2nd St building. (561) 832-3757.St Ann Place The food program is available Monday – Friday.
https://www.stannplaceoc.org/services
True Fast Ministries- 638 6th St Closed Sat. & Sun.
https://www.homelessshelterdirectory.org/shelter/fl_true-fast-outreach-ministries
Redemptive Life Fellowship- 561-429-3586 Could not find info. if they fed or was even open on the weekends, but the name rang a bell and here it is.
https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/news/local/2015/06/08/lender-sues-west-palm-s/6788910007/
Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church ( Breakfast every Sunday mornings)
Fana says organizations feeding homeless on weekends I found to be false, but Commissioner Warren bought it.
“unhoused” Mr. Fana prefers unhoused to homeless.
Ft. Lauderdale was one of the first cities to stomp down on homelessness. It cost the taxpayers dearly. WPB will walk the same path because WPB City officials are no smarter than their counterparts. This too will cost taxpayers.
“Backlash over Fort Lauderdale commissioner’s ‘hideous’ proposal to cut homelessness budget”
“A Fort Lauderdale commissioner’s proposal to cut funding for homeless services after the city lost a long-running related lawsuit has sparked backlash from homeless advocates.
During a Dec. 19 commission meeting, District 2 Commissioner Steve Glassman lamented the almost $640,000 that the city has to pay in legal fees to Fort Lauderdale Food Not Bombs, a nonprofit group that provides food to people living without shelter in the city.”
https://www.wlrn.org/government-politics/2023-12-22/fort-lauderdale-homelessness-budget-lawsuit
I showed readers a picture of the electrical outlets in Centennial Park where James had the city place locks on the outlets to prevent volunteers from giving haircuts to the homeless population and prevent them from charging their cell phones. This week he’s had sleeves placed over Handicapped parking spaces on Clematis St. Why is this man allowed to act the way he does and why cant the 5 cowardly lions speak up?
The end.