At its meeting Thursday, Feb. 20, the Royal Palm Beach Village Council heard a presentation on local United Way programing, led by Dr. Seth Bernstein, executive vice president of community investments for the United Way of Palm Beach County.
Bernstein noted that the United Way of Palm Beach County was founded 95 years ago and funds about 100 initiatives, some on its own, while other work collaborates through various nonprofits.
For example, the United Way has been operating its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program out of the Royal Palm Beach Recreation Center for 20 years, preparing tax forms for 700 to 800 lower-income area residents each year.
“It’s an incredible partnership with the village,” Berstein said, noting that countywide, the program provides free preparation for more than 8,500 tax returns.
Another major project is the United Way’s Hunger Relief Initiative, getting healthy, nutritious food to those who are hungry, working with Palm Beach County, local food banks and others. Its Mentor Center program has been around for 30 years, helping students graduate and get jobs.
The United Way also works with the Arc of Palm Beach County to support children with special needs, and Mission United supports local veterans. In times when disasters strike, the United Way helps with disaster relief funding.
The council thanked Berstein for his presentation and agreed to find more ways for the United Way to work with the village.
“It is great to hear of all the programs that United Way is doing here, and I’m really excited for you to talk to our staff and let us know how we can help,” Councilman Adam Miller said.
Also at the meeting, Shoma at Royal Palm Beach neighborhood representative Jessica Guerrero asked for the village’s help in dealing with problems stemming from a non-responsive homeowners’ association board.
Guerrero said she represents more than 240 homeowners in the community, which she said is currently being run by four HOA board members who do not reside in the neighborhood.
There are 443 total units there, she said, which is split between owner occupants and investor-owned rentals.
“We are asking for some help, if possible. Our community is falling apart,” Guerrero said.
She explained that the community has had four different management companies in the last 20 months and currently has no management company or maintenance.
After making a special assessment to residents in November, the HOA has not communicated with the owner-occupied residents since, Guerrero said.
Guerrero and the residents that she represents are working with an attorney to do a recall on the existing board and have five property owners ready to step in and take over.
While Village Attorney Keith Davis felt for Guerrero and her situation, he did not believe that the village was in a position to take any immediate action.
“The government has no authority to enforce private HOA rules and regulations,” he said, adding that Royal Palm Beach can enforce minimum property standards and bring necessary code complaints.
Village Manager Ray Liggins urged Guerrero and her supporters to continue with their current course of action through an outside attorney.
“Everything I just heard from the resident is correct, and they are doing the right things. It is, however, a long process,” Liggins said. “You need to take that board back over and have people who live there take over maintenance and leadership.”
Liggins did dispute Guerrero’s suggestions that the neighborhood is looking particularly run-down and has seen a significant jump in crime.
“For the problems that you have had there, the place does look good,” he said, adding that the concerned residents have reached out to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office over crime and safety issues. “After the conversations you have had with them over the last month or two, they are paying more attention out there, and they will continue to.”
Mayor Jeff Hmara said that he once went through something similar in his community with a non-responsive board.
“The most positive thing you have out there is residents who care and are willing to step up,” he said. “It sounds like you have all the pieces in place.”
In other business:
- The council honored the village’s Finance Department staff for Government Finance Professionals Week, thanking them for the work they do to keep the village’s finances in order. In other proclamations, the council recognized March as Royal Palm Beach Bicycle Month, encouraging residents to use the 60.2 miles of bike paths in the village, and noted that March 3-9 is Flood Awareness Week.
- As part of the consent agenda, the council awarded two major project bids, including $458,695 for the David Farber Building renovations to Khan Builders Inc., and $266,582.43 for the Cultural Center porte cochere to Lassco Development Inc.
- The council appointed a new alternate to the Royal Palm Beach Planning & Zoning Commission. New applicant Edward Patterson was appointed to the Alternate #2 position, and Christopher Butler was moved to the Alternate #1 position.
- During his comments, Councilman Richard Valuntas noted that Royal Palm Beach is holding a municipal election on Tuesday, March 11 and urged everyone to vote. Village residents will vote in a mayoral election and for one council seat.
