Displaying 1 - 25 of 236

 Name Meeting Date Choose Which Item Your Comment Corresponds With Comments to be read into record
Ramsay Stevens05/02/2023Item A

Honorable Mayor and Commissioners,

I submit this comment as the former Chairman of our Charter Review Committee and as a dedicated civic volunteer in our community. At a time when democracy is under threat around the world, our local elected leaders, like yourselves, hold a unique responsibility to protect and strengthen our democracy by demonstrating how it can tangibly improve our individual and collective lives.

It is crucial that our local leaders not only represent and ensure that all our voices are heard in how our local government affects our day-to-day lives, but that you also build bridges across our socio-economic divides by fostering new community relations that unite us regardless of our backgrounds. The more we know and understand each other, the more we can collaborate and work towards our common goal of building a better community for all.

During my tenure as the Chairman of the Charter Review Committee, I had the privilege of working with a truly diverse coalition of neighbors who exemplified what our community can achieve when we collaborate in good faith and find areas of broad consensus.

However, recent upheavals in our community highlight that our efforts did not go far enough in ensuring our local system of representation equitably fosters the accountability and stakeholdership you as our elected leaders need to do your jobs well. In light of this, I ask you to please consider bringing forth the following amendments to our City Charter for citizen consideration at the next election:

# 1. Return to two-year terms for elected officials. This change will help our leaders stay connected with their constituents and maintain a keen understanding of the community's needs. Shorter terms promote constructive civic engagement, ensure that our elected officials remain accountable to the people they serve, and ensure democratic legitimacy for policy changes. It is not a coincidence that during the first year without elections in recent memory, our City finds itself angrier and more divided than it has arguably ever been.

# 2. Implement a 12-month (or greater) residency requirement for candidates seeking office. A stronger residency requirement will ensure that only those truly rooted in our community can lead and that they have a deeper understanding of the unique challenges our community faces so they develop well-informed, context-specific solutions.

# 3. Expand the City Commission to include two At Large or Multi District Commissioners elected off-cycle from the Mayor. Every academic and professional advocate for good government that I spoke to during my work on the Charter Review board recommended doing this to ensure better representation for the greater good and to prevent needless factionalism or disassociation between Districts.

By giving our community the option to vote on these changes, you can help ensure that our future leaders are well-equipped to serve our community effectively, foster unity, and work together for our common good.

Thank you for your service and consideration,

Ramsay Stevens

Thomas McKee04/25/2023Item A

I have been a full-time employee for the City of Lake Worth Beach Electric Utility for the past three years, and employed in the Electric Utility industry for over ten years. I can say with absolute certainty that the current Director of the Electric Utility, Ed Liberty, is one of the most honest, capable, ethical and selfless individuals that I have ever had the privilege of working with. The plans and goals that he works toward, and directs his employees to work toward, are the same in public as they are behind closed doors. The constant pursuit to improve the Electric Utility's reputation and reliability, while enhancing the workplace environment that my co-workers and I report to every day, is evident in nearly every action that I have personally witnessed him take. I have observed Ed Liberty continue to move the Electric Utility in this general direction while working to also find a good balance between the implementation of new technology, fair work practices for his employees, maintaining or reducing the financial burden on our customers through very difficult economic times and satisfying an ever-changing political agenda brought forward by an often-changing group of local politicians. In my personal opinion, he has done an outstanding job at the helm and I know that the large majority of Electrical Utility employees agree that this Utility is in a much better position because of him and not in spite of him.

Debra Robert04/18/2023Item A

I'm quite dismayed that our Commission is going against the recommendation of Anderson Carr in order to hike up the rates for Benny's on the Beach to a ludicrous percentage. The owner takes tremendous risk hanging out on a pier where any given storm could erase all he's built in one swipe. He honored the lease negotiated 10 yrs prior. I consider it in bad faith that a Commission would decide to recoup anything from a contract which was agreed upon retroactively. This action does not bode well for any of us.
There are 200 employees who depend on their jobs at Benny's.
Anyone can understand a reasonable increase. How you, in good conscience can push such a vast increase coming out of years of Pandemic with an unstable economy where goods and perishables are at a premium is curioud. Then add you are doing all this to a business dependent on tourism at the exact end of season.
The optics of this will echo for a long time in the hearts of citizens and will impact even more how certain members of this commission are viewed in not encouraging success on the part of its businesses nor in the sanctity of stewardship over our economic stability. This is worrisome I ask that you take a second look at so drastic and unfair a move. I doubt this will be a Unanimous vote. Respectfully, please reconsider this action. Thank you.

SAL DUKE04/18/2023Item A

The proposed lease extension with Benny's on the Beach should be approved. I have seen comments about why does Benny's get to keep the pier admissions. The answer is that the original lease signed in 2013 and covering 10 years had that provision in it. The funds for parking for pier visitors are remitted to the City monthly, Benny's pays the salary of the pier master and the general maintenance of the pier, not the City. That's at least a $50,000 savings to the City not having to pay salary and benefits to an employee.

The 2013 lease was explained in detail to the sitting Commission at that time so all these details were fully disclosed. Mr. McVoy was a member of the 2013 Commission and minutes of the meeting show he voted to approve the original lease.

Nick Paliughi04/18/2023Item A

It doesn't make any sense that Benny's on the beach currently collects all the cash from visits to our municipal pier, totaling around $140,000 per year. This is in addition to getting an inexplicable discount on rent for one of the most unique properties in the county. It's like letting Burger King take a percentage of utility bills in exchange for sending a burger king employee to sweep up the Utility dept parking lot once a month. It makes zero sense and the only explanation I can think of is that there are self interested parties that aren't doing what's best for the city.

Benny's is doing no real maintenance besides pressure washing the pier, something a city employee could easily do and we could keep our $140,000 a year from our beautiful pier

Conrad Ogletree04/18/2023Item A

Dear Mayor Resch, Commissioner Stokes, my Commissioner, the other Commissioners and City Manager Carmen Davis,

I live in Parrot Cove and have been engaged with the city as regards our veterans. According to a Florida Department of Veterans Affairs report, in Florida 29% of veterans live under the Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) level. United Way Palm Beach County and their Veterans division, MISSION UNITED, are focused on these veterans, and all people living under the ALICE level.

There are 1,200+ veterans who are residents of our city. Veterans in PBC receiving care from the VA receive an average annual amount of $13,530 in medical care and $11,232 in cash compensation.

I see this as a Human Rights issue, caring for those in need, and a business issue as more veterans living in LWB bring in more spending.

Business across our city see it as an employee recruiting, hiring and retention issue – at least many of the establishments along Lucerne and Lake Avenues that I support have mentioned that difficulty when I’ve asked. The Dollar General store at the foot of the Intracoastal bridge have been short staffed for a long time.

I believe it is essential to support for the Micro-Communal Housing Unit (MCHU) affordable housing concept that was presented to the City Commission on April 4th. There are many people who would benefit from a MCHU setup in LWB beyond veterans like the homeless or people trying to get off the street, low-income seniors on fixed incomes, and young people like students and people working in the agriculture or service industry.

MCHUs offer rents around $500-$600 and they can solve a lot of problems in our community. I think this idea deserves your attention. I would like to see city staff review this concept and come up with a way to bring the MCHU housing option to Lake Worth Beach.

Thank you,
Conrad Ogletree
215 N. Palmway

Jill Karlin04/18/2023Item A

Dear City fathers and Mothers,
We could steward our city by valuing our most important assets at the very least at fair market value. Unfortunately we give developers millions of dollars to develop one of our assets (The Gulfstream) while ignoring our most valuable asset...waterfront real estate... the beach.
Our citizens deserve a beautiful Oceanfront Park, replete with swimming pools, water features and the like. Listen to my presentation on July 5, 2022 at minute 22 to get a vision of what is possible. This could be possible if we charged our leasees oceanfront rates, in particular Benny's. We also would benefit by charging for what Benny's does for free, that is... advertise along the pier. Why are we not collecting revenue from a variety of businesses who might like to get their name in front of the people who are enjoying our beachfront. While I lie in the sand planes used to fly overhead streaming an advertisement for restaurants, products and businesses. Why are we not charging for the right to advertise along our pier.
With good stewardship we might be able to build upon our lovely asset and provide our locals and visitors with the amenity that was robbed from them...our pool.

Barry Katz04/18/2023Item A

Why has the city decided to cave to Benny's decision to pay less rent per square foot than other properties on our beach? Benny's on the beach is our tenant. They are not the attraction. Our beautiful city beach is the attraction. Any reasonably run restaurant would be very happy to have that location. Furthermore, how has Benny's managed to appropriate the revenue of the city pier as it's own. Why is that not city income? Benny's is our tenant, not the other way around.

Catherine Kohlmeyer04/18/2023Item A

I remain opposed to signing this lease in its current form, even though the price per square foot has increased, and the annual increment rate has increased.

I have several concerns that, looking at the bigger picture, the terms of this lease do not serve the interests of the city of Lake Worth Beach, its residents and its businesses.
My concerns are:

Benny's receives 100% of the pier admissions, in return for managing the retail shop, maintaining the pier website, and pressure washing the pier quarterly. The city is responsible for repairing the boards and rails of the pier and yet under this lease receives none of the revenue from the pier admissions. The lease of the previous tenant had a split of 35% of the pier admissions to the tenant and 65% to the city. This is more proportionate.

The pier revenue has been reported at $140,000 per annum, with 70,000 visitors annually.

The figures provided in the financial analysis by staff only give the income. The line item for “Outgoing” year-to-year liabilities is blank. The Lease requires the City to replace boards and railings on the pier, and to reimburse Benny’s $300 per day in the event the pier is unusable for 10 days or more. Estimates of these and any other liabilities should be an integral part of the analysis.

The rate per square foot is still less than that of Mama Mia and The T Shirt shop, and considerably less than the Palm Beach County minimum price of $60 per square foot as one of the comparisons noted in the Anderson Carr report.

The City is also missing out on revenue sharing, as recommended by Anderson Carr in its report.

In order to provide a fair return on this very valuable asset, renewal of the Lease should be withheld until (a) the Fiscal Analysis is complete; (b) Square footage rate meets market rate; and (c) the Tenant agrees to return at least 6% of gross sales to the City. We should hire a consultant if necessary to negotiate on our behalf.

Greg Richter04/18/2023Item A

Greg Richter, 1202 S Palmway

Well this is interesting reading this lease and seeing that Benny's has signed it. While we have listened for over the year about greedy landlords, looks like the worm has turned. You have squeezed a 23% increase. with an escalator clause going forward. While one commissioner brought up the fact that their was no increases in the previous lease, that very commissioner voted for that lease back in 2013! Another commissioner wants to add a gross receipt process but keep throwing out all kinds of percentages, in other words has no clue what they are talking about. Who is going to audit the gross receipts. A third commissioner states that Benny's in non-inclusive with such high prices. So let jack up the rent, that will make this real inclusive. I honestly hope that for once this commission listen to the one business person on the dais! Just like we had to listen to our so called soil scientist drone on and on last week. I congratulate you all, as you have elevated this commission to the being just another greedy landlord. Lets put this to a rest

Marcel Korman04/25/2023Item A

I want to recognize Mr. Liberty for having demonstrated leadership to lead 2 rounds of bond funding and identify solutions to improve our City’s electric reliability.
We are employed to contribute to the City’s responsibility to effectively deliver electric service. When the systems function as intended and electric service is reliable, Mr. Liberty and the employees deserve the praise and recognition. Please honor my request to recognize Mr. Liberty for the good work he has accomplished.

Amy Ferriter04/18/2023Item A

Please approve the lease renewal for Benny’s on the Beach. This business brings countless visitors to our city and is an important landmark on our beach.

Benny’s also provides jobs and a good income for our residents and their families.

It’s important for our downtown and beach businesses to thrive. We should all encourage more positive economic growth, and Benny’s is an important part of our city.

Renew the lease tonight.

Erin Allen04/18/2023Item A

Mayor and Commissioners, I cannot attend the meeting this evening but I want my thoughts to be logged. I understand this is the City's fourth time to the well with regard to the Benny's lease renewal. I would encourage you to adopt the lease terms you have put forth and ensure that Benny's remains a destination at our beach. I am disappointed with the City trying to raise the rent, raise the rent, raise the rent. And some think what is proposed now isn't enough. I find it interesting that this greedy get-as-much-as-you-because-you-can mentality is what this commission was railing against over the past year-and-a-half when landlords started to raise their rents to an unsustainable level because of property values increasing so dramatically. In fact, you were so much against this that you wanted to put a moratorium on rent increases and dictate to landlords what they could charge, and how much they could increase their rents because people were getting pushed out of their homes. Basically rent control. Your behavior towards Bennys is analogous, trying to squeeze as much as you can from him because you know he's rooted deeply into his spaces. Have you thought about the hundreds of families he's responsible to support, many of whom live in Lake Worth Beach? Do you want to take their livelihood away because of being overly greedy? Mr. Lipton has not only ONE, but TWO commercial spaces he's renting from the City. He's proved to be a friend of the city. The City has been negligent for YEARS in not finding a tenant for the most valuable upstairs real estate space at the Casino, which is sadly being used as offices for city staff, and yet you want to jeopardize losing someone who has invested so deeply in the City and brought two quality dining venues to the beach. Show Mr. Lipton and all of his employees we want them to stay and continue to provide such wonderful oceanside experiences to the public. Pass this lease renewal tonight.

Thomas Conboy04/18/2023Item A

I am very disappointed that this lease is coming back again significantly below market rate for a premium restaurant property at the pier and ocean front. This lease doesn't even come in at the same rate per Square foot as the Pizza Place at the beach.

No wonder we are having a hard time financing a pool at the beach when staff continues to bring below market leases to the commission. Please get a good commercial real-estate firm to provide compererable leasing rates to premium properties similar to our oceanfront restaurants.

If you should approve this lease modify it not to exceed 1 year and then put it out to request for bid and see what the market brings. This is a premium waterfront restaurant that is reservations only and fully booked most of the time. It is the location that drives the success we see.

Kristen Read04/18/2023Item A

Hello Mayor, commissioners and city manager. My name is Kristen Read, and I live at 1325 North N Street. I’m writing to ask the commission to add a playground in the Northeast area of our city and consider using the pocket park on 13th Ave North and Federal as a potential site.

With no city pool, no park we can walk to and soon nowhere to play in our own backyard pending this commission's decision on artificial turf, I'm struggling to believe the city is family friendly and questioning our future here.

The pocket park on 13th Ave North and Federal Highway is empty aside from dog feces. My 4-year-old daughter and I made this disgusting discovery after attempting to play tag here. We were told Spillway Park would get equipment, but it’s not intended for children. The playground on the beach has been replaced with surfboards in the shape of a tree, yet Google still shows it's open. It’s misleading and should be updated. Sunset Ridge is nice, but not walkable from our home and questionable activities occur there regularly.

Grass does not grow in my yard and native ground cover is not conducive to high traffic or children playing. So I installed artificial turf, which the city told me was permitted at the time.

Now, I may have to make a $20,000 change to my yard, which will financially cripple me, but apparently please the Tree Board and some commissioners.

Perhaps a city-wide ban on marine coatings and body scrubs next — or disposable water bottles like the ones I see certain anti-microplastic commissioners drink out of almost every meeting. Just a thought since the city is taking such a strong stance on the subject.

I’m running out of ideas and my daughter needs somewhere to be a kid and play. Please don’t take away any more amenities for children and consider adding play equipment to the pocket park on 13th Ave North.

Thank you for your time.

Monica Russell05/02/2023Item A

Mayor and Commissioners,

As a mother and public school teacher, I am concerned and care about the well being of our entire community. While I acknowledge that housing is an issue and inequitable in Lake worth, Single Room Occupancy is not the solution that we need. Integral to any healthy community is mixed income and mixed use development. I suggest that the City Commission should be focused on strengthening public infrastructure, raising the tax base, and social services. I fear all this will do is encourage people without the renters best interest in mind make as much money as they can without regard to the well-being of the residents in mind.

P.S. this is for April 18, but that is NOT ON OPTION on this site

Eric Miller04/18/2023Item A

We have been residents here since 2009 at 614 South K Street. Unfortunately, the quality of life issues happening in our neighborhood - and the proposed project for the apartment building on the corner - have encouraged us to sell our home.

- Joey Ortiz & Eric Miller

Alex Baker04/18/2023Item A

As a life long resident of Palm Beach County and homeowner within Eden Place since 2015 raising a young daughter, I implore upon you Commissioners and Mayor to object to any deviation from the existing Lake Worth Beach comprehensive use plan that would allow for new Shared Room Occupancy units to be developed in our city.

Opening up the opportunity to convert existing residential buildings into co-living spaces within existing single family zoned neighborhoods is not a sustainable solution to affordable housing. We need to be smart and see this would obviously reduce the number of affordable housing opportunities (single family homes) that have attracted new residents to our beautiful city.

Enriching our existing neighborhoods through infrastructure roadway and utility projects should be the priority. Smart development along the Dixie corridor should be the priority. Promoting developments that encourage safe spaces for everyone in our community to come together should be the priority.

Shared room occupancy in Lake Worth Beach is counterproductive on so many fronts and does nothing to enrich our community or promote safe spaces for our children. These comments reflect the position of the overwhelming majority of our community.

Thank you.

Alex Baker
1625 N K ST
LAKE WORTH BEACH, FL

Carolyn Deli02/21/2023Item A

There will be a community clean up on Saturday, April 29th, 2023 and Sunday, April 30th, 2023. It is located behind the Compass building at 211 N H st, lake worth beach, FL. It is the tropical ridge fitness park. The time is from 2:00pm-4:00pm. We need all hands on deck!

Donald Barth04/18/2023Item A

Mayor and Commissioners,

As a father working to raise three young girls in our City, I care deeply about the well being of our entire community.

Single Room Occupancy is not the solution that Lake Worth Beach needs to address its housing and inequality issues. If we want to have a thriving community for all, we need to be encouraging healthy mixed income and mixed use development - especially in our commercial corridors. The City Commission should be focused on a raise to the top in terms of our housing supply, tax base, public infrastructure, and social services - not fake solutions that will only benefit cynical investors and hurt our middle class.

Sincerely,

Donald Barth, District 3

Jill Karlin04/04/2023Item F

Right out of the gate: The day after Ms. Davis took her jobas City Manager I presented a bold, visionary plan for our city. In my presentation, at Minute 22 on December 6, 2021, I highlighted four focus points:South L and M Street, The Gulfstream Hotel, The Lake Worth Beach Golf Course, and Oceanfront Park, to redevelop sustainably to reach goals of Carbon Neutrality by 2035.
July 5,2022 I made a second presentation solely on The Oceanfront Park. I included a gondola, (think ski lift) to transport people to our beachfront from the Tri-rail station thus eliminating automobile traffic in our city and at the beach. In making this presentation I met several times with a world renowned vendor: Poma. Poma sent their American regional engineer to meet with me and map out a route, gave me figures, and showed us the ROI on this method of transportation for our city. This would make our city a Placemaker, a destination, for which folks would come to ride the gondola over our adorable "20th Century South Florida Beach Vernacular Architecturally" intact city.
I, subsequently met with the City Mananger with another concerned citizen, engineer, about a year ago to encourage Ms. Davis to follow through with contacting the vendor. I haven't heard a word. This is disappointing. I hope that in the future if you, Ms. Davis remains City Manager, you will respond by following through, and showing some vision for our city.
Now you are getting your legs. You know the players. You know how important it is for us to move forward sustainably, and keeping our adorable charm. Please be a leader with vision. I will love to see you take critical action, and keep the vision alive and moving forward. Thank you. Jill Karlin

Patrick Ford04/04/2023Item A

As an investor and property manager in Lake Worth Beach, I work hard to provide healthy and affordable housing to those who need it most.

I encourage the City Commission to protect the integrity of its zoning and the quality of life for all its residents.

If the Commission truly cares about addressing its historic inequities, it should prioritize proven solutions like legalizing accessory dwelling units, regulating on street parking, creating more parks and public spaces, and encouraging commercial growth to generate employment.

Mercedes Rico04/04/2023Item A

I have loved living in Lake Worth Beach for almost twenty years now. As a retired school teacher on a fixed income, the quality of life my City offers me is critical for my well being. I count on the City Commission to protect and improve my neighborhood so it can be a dignified place for everyone.

Michael Heller04/04/2023Item A

My family is proud to call Pineapple Beach our home. We believe greatly in the potential for Lake Worth Beach to be a prosperous place for all its residents.

To this end, the City Commission should prioritize the protection of its zoning districts - and avoid any policies that would materially harm the quality of life of its residents and invite a torrent of affected party actions.

Sincerely,

Mike Heller

Matthew Portilla04/04/2023Item A

Good evening city commission and staff,

In recognition of city staff I implore you to think long and hard on what you add to their already full workday. Exploring options for you is exactly what staff is there for but the options must be worth exploring. The community wants clean and safe streets, water, sewer, power, and flushing in-unit toilets.

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