WEST PALM BEACH, FL. (August 9, 2019) -- Mayor Keith James of West Palm Beach announced today the 100 Day Recommendations of his Transition Team and major policy initiatives his administration has taken to improve West Palm Beach.
“It’s been so important to me that I spend my first 100 days as Mayor wasting no time tackling issues that are critical to West Palm Beach, while listening to the community and ensuring a diversity of ideas and experiences to help guide the City forward,” said Mayor James. “We’ve exceeded our goals for this first major benchmark and have incredible momentum to keep doing great things for our city and its people.”

Upon taking office, Mayor James announced the formation of his Mayoral Transition Team, a diverse group of local residents, community leaders and experts who volunteered their time to work with Mayor James and City staff to review City policies and goals.

Consisting of nearly 100 community leaders and chaired by Don Kiselewski, Florida Power and Light executive and Former Chair of the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches, the Mayor’s Transition Team focused on eight key policy areas. Each policy area had a committee responsible for providing recommendations to the Mayor. The policy committees and their co-chairs included: Arts, Culture, Education and Recreation (co-chaired by Melanie Hill and Phil Growick); Economic Development and Jobs (co-chaired by Veronica Cooper and Neil Merin); Environment and Sustainability (co-chaired by Ann Marie Sorrell and Steve Scherer); Government Efficiency, Budget and Taxes (co-chaired by Elizabeth McBride and Howard Pincus); Homelessness (co-chaired by Sally D. Chester, RN and Jonathan “Jack” Frost); Neighborhoods First (co-chaired by Cathleen D. Ward, Esq. and Greg Mermigas); Public Safety (co-chaired by Joseph Ianno, Jr. and Reverend William Washington); Transportation, Mobility and Transit (co-chaired by Bill Bone and Will Corrente).

“Chairing the Transition Team Committee has been an incredible honor,” stated Mr. Kiselewski. “Mayor James assembled the best and brightest in their fields. We had a shared common goal of focusing on West Palm Beach’s residents and neighborhoods and we held ourselves to the highest standards of ethics and productivity.”

Through its eight policy subcommittees, the Transition Team made a series of recommendations based on their suggested timeline and implementation: immediate (100 Days) and two sets of long-term recommendations (before 2021 and post 2021). The 100 Day Recommendations were ideas and policies that can be implemented within the first 100 Days of Mayor James Administration.

Below is a summary of the 100 Day Recommendations submitted by the Transition Team and being implemented by the City:

Arts, Culture, Education and Recreation

• Create a dedicated channel to communicate the city’s cultural assets and increase visibility of assets through existing communications outlets.
• Review existing signage and wayfinding for cultural assets in an effort to increase and improve signage for residents, visitors and tourists.
• Identify opportunities to expand the Northmore Elementary School model to other schools in West Palm Beach.
• Review existing public transportation routes and connecting city cultural institutions to the trolley line.

• Direct the CRA to identify a centrally located job readiness training center in the CRA boundaries.

• Oppose the lowering of the lake levels of Lake Okeechobee and actively participate in opposition efforts to lower the lake levels.
• Perform a review of the Northern Palm Beach County Improvement District Storm Water System that provides infrastructure services to the West Palm Beach Western Communities.
• Maintain the commitment to the goal of Net Zero 2050.

• Create taskforce to work with city staff and IT department to advise on IT opportunities, challenges and network security.
• Implement Six Sigma training across the city departments to improve efficiency.

• Create a position within City Hall to serve as the Homeless Coordinator to monitor the various activities and agencies involved in homelessness issues in the city. Armando Fana will serve in this position.
• Increase training of police officers on how to work and mediate issues with the homeless population during service calls.
• Publicly support the County’s newly proposed Homeless Resource Center. West Palm Beach supported the center at the meeting publicly and with funding.
• Work with local, state and federal leaders to leverage funding, solicit grants and other support to fund additional services, programs and opportunities for the homeless population.

• Build partnerships through a central coordinator with strategic not-for-profit organizations that are focused on neighborhood revitalization.
• Create a position to coordinate city engagement and understanding of neighborhood priorities.
• Create a communications plan that focuses on communicating with neighborhoods about ongoing priorities and projects, improves responsiveness and ensures information is readily available, even for those without access to internet.

• Create a designated liaison between the Mayor and the public safety organizations in the city.
• Research the need and cost associated with funding a position/role of a grant writer for the city to assist the public safety departments in acquiring additional funding and resources.

• Improve traffic signalization of major arteries, including Okeechobee Blvd, by working with the county on immediate modifications and long-term solutions to improve signal timing.
• Review the cost of a joint study with the county on a pedestrian crossing along Okeechobee Blvd.
• Formally request the Coast Guard to adjust the middle bridge opening and closing timing during rush hour traffic.
• Provide discounted employee parking for downtown service businesses.
• Use funding from increase in downtown parking meter fees to fund additional transit and transportation solutions.
• Create a director of Mobility within City Staff to oversee transportation issues citywide and oversight of the city transit system.
• Review long-term solutions to public transit, including the use of Electric Coaches, to replace the city’s existing trolley system.
• Create a taskforce to advise on creating the “last mile of connectivity” between neighborhoods and transit hubs.

These recommendations were part of a series of 100 Day Recommendations the Transition Team submitted to the Mayor. The goal of the 100 Day Recommendations were to evaluate low hanging fruit of issues and opportunities upon which the city could quickly act!

Since April 2019, the Transition Team has held over 35 meetings and will be submitting its final report with the long-term recommendations in late August.

During the first 100 days, Mayor James also implemented a series of significant changes to better reflect his vision for West Palm Beach. To ensure greater accountability and efficiency, Mayor James reorganized the structure of the City Administration providing for greater accountability from each of the city’s areas of service.

Public safety being Job #1 for the city, Mayor James reorganized the police department with Frank Adderley being sworn in as the new police chief. Chief Adderley is charged with reducing violent crime and implementing intelligence-led policing efforts with a focus on community policing.

Mayor James has appointed Tiffany David to oversee the city’s Neighborhoods First Initiative. Acting as an advocate for each of the city’s neighborhoods, Tiffany is charged with problem solving and providing feedback on issues affecting our neighborhoods.

The Mayor has also created The Office of Equal Opportunity headed by Frank Hayden. This office is charged with ensuring that small and minority companies can actively participate in the city’s economic growth.
Focused on creating a community of opportunity for all, Mayor James recently appointed Jose Tagle to serve as outreach coordinator for the City on Hispanic and Latin affairs.

Here is a complete list of transition team committee members:
 

Mayor Keith James Transition Team Committee 
 
Don Kiselewski, Chair 
Sr. Director of External Affairs, Florida Power & Light Company 
 
Arts, Culture, Education and Recreation Policy Subcommittee 
 
Phil Growick, Co-Chair 
Chair, Art in Public Places for West Palm Beach 
 
Melanie Hill, Co-Chair 
Owner, Kofski Antiques, Inc. 
 
Claudia Kirk Barto 
President, Junior Achievement 
 
Sue Ellen Beryl 
Managing Director, Palm Beach Dramaworks 
 
Lew Crampton 
President, South Florida Science Center and Aquarium 
 
Elliot Bostwick Davis, PH.D. 
Director & CEO, Norton Museum of Art 
 
Susy Diaz Piesco 
Executive Director, Bak Middle School of the Arts Foundation 
 
Dr. Donald Fennoy II 
Superintendent, Palm Beach County School District 
 
Rick Gonzalez 
Managing Principal, REG Architects, Inc. 
 
William Hayes 
Producing Artistic Director, Palm Beach Dramaworks 
 
Margo McKnight 
President & CEO, Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society 
 
Judith Mitchell 
CEO, The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts 
 
Jorge Pesquera 
President & CEO, Discover the Palm Beaches 
 
 
 
Economic Development & Jobs Policy Subcommittee 
 
Veronica Cooper, Co-Chair 
Vice President, Cooper Construction Management & Consulting 
 
Neil Merin, Co-Chair 
Chairman, NAI / Merin Hunter Codman 
 
Maria S. Antuña 
CEO, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Palm Beach County 
 
Rebel Cook 
President, Rebel Cook Real Estate 
 
Francisco "Paco" Gil 
General Manager, Morrison Group 
 
Dennis Grady 
CEO, Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches 
 
Chris Hill 
Owner, Kofskis Antiques, Inc. 
 
Phillip H. Hutchinson 
Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig, P.A. 
 
Ron Klein 
Partner, Holland & Knight 
 
Mami Kisner 
 
Matthew Leger 
Vice President of Public Policy, RAPB + GFLR 
 
Bruce N. Lewis 
CEO, LB Limited, Inc., Strategic Public Relations 
 
Raul Mejia 
Florida Crystals 
 
Ezra Saffold 
President, All-Site Construction 
 
Kelly Smallridge 
President & CEO, Business Development Board of Palm Beach County 
 
Grasford W. Smith 
Attorney, Jones Foster P.A. 
Carlos Vidueira 
Vice-President, Rybovich 
 
Margie J. Walden 
Board of Directors, Palm Beach County Sports Commission 
 
 
Environment & Sustainability Policy Subcommittee 
 
Steve Scherer, Co-Chair 
Retired, Engineer and Utility Executive 
 
Ann Marie Sorrell, Co-Chair 
President & CEO, Mosaic Group 
 
Tom Barlow 
Business Consultant, Barlow Consulting 
 
Mark Bideau 
Managing Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig, P.A. 
 
Alex Garcia 
Realtor 
 
John Mike 
Realtor, Remax Prestige Realty West Palm Beach 
 
Peter Pivko 
Professional Architect 
 
Justice Ira J. Raab (Retired) 
Former Chair, West Palm Beach Charter Review Committee 
 
Harriet M. Sacher 
Former Board Member, West Palm Beach Water Commission 
 
Government Efficiency, Budget & Taxes Policy Subcommittee 
 
Elizabeth McBride, Co-Chair 
Counsel to Inspector General, Palm Beach County School Board 
 
Howard Pincus, Co-Chair 
Consultant, Organizational Development & Human Capital Management 
 
Dale Hedrick 
President, Hedrick Brothers Construction 
 
 
Julie Hermes 
Financial Advisor 
 
Judge Rand Hoch (retired) 
President and Founder, Palm Beach County Human Rights Council 
 
Alphonso Mayfield 
President, SEIU 
 
Michael H. Olenick 
Vice President Corporate Affairs, The Morganti Group, Inc. 
 
Hon. Ike Robinson 
Former City Commissioner, West Palm Beach 
 
Robert Sanders 
Of Counsel, Greenberg Traurig, P.A. 
 
Brian M. Seymour, Esq. 
Gunster 
 
Geoffrey Sluggett 
Geoffrey B. Sluggett & Associates, Inc. 
 
Homelessness Policy Subcommittee 
 
Sally D. Chester, RN, Co-Chair 
Board Member, Homeless Coalition of Palm Beach County 
 
Jonathan "Jack" Frost, Co-Chair 
President, Commerce Consulting, Inc 
 
Julian Cover 
Cover Realty 
 
Michelle Anaya Depotter 
CEO, Associated General Contractors of America, Inc. Florida East Coast Chapter 
 
Patrick J. Franklin 
President & CEO, Urban League of Palm Beach County 
 
Robert J. Harvey, Esq. 
Partner, Jenks & Harvey LLP 
 
Nicholas T. O’Neal 
Housing Commissioner, West Palm Beach Housing Authority 
 
 
Carey O'Donnell 
President & Creative Director, O'Donnell Agency 
 
Sean Scott 
Co-owner, Subculture 
 
Diana Stanley 
CEO, The Lord's Place 
 
 
Neighborhoods First Policy Subcommittee 
 
Greg Mermigas, Co-Chair 
President, Old Northwood Neighborhood Association 
 
Cathleen D. Ward, Esq., Co-Chair 
Chair/President, Northend Coalition of Neighborhoods 
 
Dodger Arp, Esq. 
Law Offices of Dodger Arp 
 
Leontyne Brown 
Marketing Executive 
 
Ronald A. Davis 
President, Mosnar Group LLC 
 
Wilson Manigat 
 
Penny Murphy 
President, Pioneer Linens 
 
Peter C. Pivko 
Professional Architect 
 
Rick Rose 
Grandview Gardens Bed and Breakfast 
 
Hon. David Smith 
Former City Commissioner, West Palm Beach 
 
Darren Studstill 
President, Progressive Northwest Business Association 
 
 
 
 
 
Public Safety Policy Subcommittee 
 
Joseph Ianno, Jr., Co-Chair 
Managing Attorney, Florida Power & Light Company 
 
William Washington, Co-Chair 
Pastor, Friendship M B Church 
 
Dave Bernhardt 
Florida State Lodge 2nd Vice President, Fraternal Order of Police 
 
Sheriff Ric Bradshaw 
Palm Beach County Sheriff 
 
Will Davis 
President, Northwood Village Merchants Association 
 
Thomas DeRita 
Resource Group 
 
Dennis Hardiman 
President, West Palm Beach Police Benevolent Association 
 
Hon. Dave Kerner 
County Commissioner, Palm Beach County 
 
Tara McCoy 
CEO, Good Samaritan Medical Center 
 
Mona Reis 
Founder, Presidential Women's Center 
 
Ryan Stacey 
Legislative Vice President, West Palm Beach Association of Firefighters 
 
Transportation, Mobility and Transit Policy Subcommittee 
 
Bill Bone, Co-Chair 
Larmoyeux & Bone 
 
Will Corrente, Co-Chair 
Entrepreneur, Corrente Consulting International Inc 
 
Hon. Mack Bernard 
County Mayor, Palm Beach County 
 
 
 
Dr. Joaquin Garcia 
Owner, El Cid Animal Clinic 
 
Allen Gast 
President, Gast Construction Group 
 
Michele Jacobs 
President & CEO, Economic Council of Palm Beach County 
 
William P. Jacobson, Esq. 
Law Office of William P. Jacobson, P.A. 
 
Eric Lieberman 
Managing Member/Loan Originator, Palm Beach First Financial & Mortgage Co. LLC 
 
Sara McCann 
President/Owner, McCann Design Group/Hive Home/Hive Collections 
 
Lee McLaughlin 
 
John Pankauski, Esq. 
Pankauski Hauser PLLC 
 
Dina Rubio 
Don Ramon Restaurante Cubano & Social Club