OPM - It's easy to spend other people's money

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It's easy to spend other people's money (OPM). City Manager Michael Bornstein is recommending that the city hire a project manager for the $78 million ($60 million perhaps on a general obligation bond plus $16-18 million in cash) for the 2020 Infrastructure program at $415,000 a year for 5 years or $2,075,000! On top of that, the city will be hiring more staff at $380,000 a year or another $1,900,000.  We have no idea whether this is for five years, whether it includes benefits, etc.  So, the city is talking about $4 million plus for project management for possibly 5 years. Imagine that...the 2nd poorest city in Palm Beach County and we will be DEAD BROKE and in big debt.

When I think of project managers I remember the fiasco at our pool. If you recall, back in 2006, Cara Jennings and Mark Drautz were the only officials who voted NO to a lease with Greater Bay to take over our entire 19 acre beach property with Lowe, Burns and Vespo voting YES.

Later,  Greater Bay was allowed to get back on our beach park property after non-performance and constant stalls. Cara Jennings was the only one who voted NO to allow Greater Bay to continue on and refurbish the pool. On February 8, 2008 and on a 4 to 1 vote with Commissioner Cara Jennings dissenting, the Commission voted for Amendment 1 to the Greater Bay Contract allowing them to proceed with repairs to our pool. Mayor Clemens, Commissioners Lowe, Golden and Vespo voted YEA. Karns, the city attorney who had been fired by the Burns commission, previously had given  legal advice against allowing them back on the property.

 I have always believed that this action was the catalyst for Greater Bay to pursue a lawsuit on November 9, 2009, for if we were really serious in our charge of non-performance, we would never have allowed them back on the beach. Corey O'Gorman, former Director of the CRA, was hired as project manager and unfortunately the pool turned out to be a mess in spite of paying him and his firm $200,000 plus for oversight..

Our pool repairs originally were to cost $391,000. Before too long, the cost jumped up to $424,826. As everyone now knows--

the pavers sunk because sand was not packed correctly

an incorrect sized pool pump was installed

inferior materials used and the pool pump house was unsafe

the pool eventually had to be closed

Starting blocks installed incorrectly. Can't attract swim meets.

Two diving boards in contract; 1 meter and a 3 meter-- only one used 1m board installed.

Pool covers used to retain heat were made for residential pool--won't work on a competitive pool as they are too lightweight and will also blow off in a strong wind. We had to contract with Lincoln Equipment for a new pool cover because what we paid for was inferior in every way.

Heater not connected.

You get the drift?  Even after hiring a project manager, all this incompetence happened. Prevailing politics at the time even extended O'Gorman's contract (the commission loved the CRA, his former affiliate). Greater Bay couldn't even handle pool repairs and the city with all its good intentions, did not get its money's worth.

There are certainly no guarantees with a project manager although I agree that we should have oversight on a project of this magnitude with experts on the job--a project that will use up all our cash reserves and literally put a debt noose around our necks. If you think you can trust the government to do the right thing, ask the Indians.