A Resident's View on the Charter for Council, Attorney and Charter Review Committee to Consider

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October 21, 2017

I had an urgent matter come up last Thursday night which kept me from attending the PBG Council meeting. I have reviewed the recommendations on the PBG charter and had some personal input for the council, attorney, and the charter committee to consider.

I would like to share these recommendations with you for consideration since you appear to be active in PBG politics.

1. City Manager: With the recommended revisions to the City Manager, The Manager doesn’t have to reside in the city, but has complete control including sign off authority. I suggest: The City Manager become a PBG resident within 90 days of being hired. A City Manager is paid to administer the will of the governing body, nothing more. Signing off and administering without any oversight makes him more powerful than the Council.So with the new Charter, the City manager has all the power and doesn’t even have to live in the city.

GOOD DEAL FOR THE CITY MANAGER, BAD DEAL FOR PALM BEACH GARDENS.

2. City Clerk: The revised charter would have the City Clerk reporting directly to the City Manager who has no oversight. I suggest the City Clerk report to the Mayor. This would serve as checks and balances the same as Federal Gov’t.

FAIR DEAL FOR EVERYONE.

3. The Mayor: In 1969 the executives of Banker’s Life and Casualty gave the keys to the city council. The mayor at that time was paid a stypence as it was a part time position. At the time there were fewer than 6,000 residents and about a dozen employees.

Today there are over 50,000 residents, development for another 20,000, and 680 employees. The Palm Beach Gardens Mayor’s position is still a PART-TIME position. It is time for a FULL-TIME PALM BEACH GARDENS MAYOR. A full time Mayor that will have regular office hours, be committed to serving PBG residents as it’s only vocation with appropriate salary and benefits. This arrangement including job description would eliminate any perceived conflicts or improprieties as a mayor doing City business out of a personal business such as a Real Estate office and not having a transparent office at the City Hall.

A WIN FOR PBG RESIDENT’S.

Sincerely,

Mike Cirullo

Palm Beach Gardens, Fl.