At the end of my excursion today, I ended up at Johnny Longboats for lunch. Great crab!
Once you trek up there, it is worth it.
Showing posts with label Johnny Longboats. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Johnny Longboats. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Singer Island beach
Comment Up
At the end of my excursion today, I ended up at Johnny Longboats for lunch. Great crab!
Then decided to check out the beach. Singer Island used to be the best beach around which was a hop and a skip from where I lived for 26 years. Not anymore is it the best. A lot of the stores were empty and former tenants are no longer there. Even though there is free parking at the beach, the back lot was virtually empty. It is another bad decision by a city government...the city took away the ocean view. It is a long walk to the beach now just to see a wave. You could be anywhere.
At the end of my excursion today, I ended up at Johnny Longboats for lunch. Great crab!
Monday, November 28, 2011
Johnny Longboats Reviews
Comment Up
Back in August, I provided a link to TripAdvisor reviews on Johnny Longboats. This is a reminder.
Reviews you can trust
Johnny Longboats reviews from TripAdvisor
Excellent...14%
Very Good...24%
Average...19%
Poor...8%
Terrible...12%
Back in August, I provided a link to TripAdvisor reviews on Johnny Longboats. This is a reminder.
Reviews you can trust
Johnny Longboats reviews from TripAdvisor
Excellent...14%
Very Good...24%
Average...19%
Poor...8%
Terrible...12%
- Dining options: Breakfast/Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Takeout, Late Night, Dessert
- Good for: Bar scene
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Lake Worth's Real Estate Broker
Comment Up
There are times when I just would like to punch someone's lights out. Paul, you represent the City of Lake Worth and I think you have done a less than mediocre job. Can you imagine, a super salesman as he tells us he is, couldn't sell an ocean and Intracoastal waterview in our Lake Worth Casino...that the building was "not upscale" enough for this "client." It's a construction site for heaven's sake. Did you show him what the finished product will look like?
Sometimes it is embarrassing to ever have been affiliated with the real estate industry especially when a broker constantly pushes Johnny Longboats and tells us that the rest of the tenants will have a problem with us if Longboats pulls out. We need someone who believes in this project and remembers who his client really is--the guy who pays him the commission.
There are times when I just would like to punch someone's lights out. Paul, you represent the City of Lake Worth and I think you have done a less than mediocre job. Can you imagine, a super salesman as he tells us he is, couldn't sell an ocean and Intracoastal waterview in our Lake Worth Casino...that the building was "not upscale" enough for this "client." It's a construction site for heaven's sake. Did you show him what the finished product will look like?
Sometimes it is embarrassing to ever have been affiliated with the real estate industry especially when a broker constantly pushes Johnny Longboats and tells us that the rest of the tenants will have a problem with us if Longboats pulls out. We need someone who believes in this project and remembers who his client really is--the guy who pays him the commission.
A reminder for Paul Snitkin
And that's only the rear view, Paul.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Scott Maxwell tastes Blood
Comment Up
What's he really up to?
If we believe in folklore and creatures who subsist by feeding off the life essence of living things, Scott Maxwell, with new found powers, is going for blood tonight in a meeting changed by him at the last minute from a Workshop to a Special Meeting. This change was made on Friday afternoon and not posted to the web site until after 6pm. The rule, and one in which he has insisted be followed, is normally 11 days to have all back-up and everything on the agenda.
How many times have we all heard him berate the city manager for not following the rules. In this case, he changed the entire meeting from a non-voting discussion meeting for informational purposes to one in which he can take action. Worse than that, the entire commission was not polled and the public, the very people they said that they would listen to, is also swept under the rug of this new "transparency."
What was to be a meeting for extensive discussion purposes has now changed to something much more serious. Last week when the commission was discussing an upcoming meeting date, Commissioner McVoy said that Monday would not be good for him that he had a standing Monday night commitment. Maxwell would have been the only one on the dais who would have remembered that. He must have forgotten, however, when he insisted on Monday, the day before the city manager leaves for Thanksgiving. McVoy said that he would change his outside commitment to suit the majority who certainly could have cared less about any prior commitment that he had. Maxwell wanted it; Maxwell was going to get it. I understand that Suzanne Mulvehill has a class on Monday nights and we do not know if she will be in attendance.
The City Manager admits that the fire assessment must be addressed immediately. The bills are probably programmed to be sent out to every property owner and every pastor in town. And just like an alcoholic that can't get enough, Longboats is giving some small compromise on closing hours from 2am to 1am staying opened for 18 hours instead of 19. They run a bar business you know. It is great to know that we are committed to spending $6 million on this 1922 style Casino because Heeeeeeeeere's Johnny.
Each one of these key issues will require extensive dialog between the new Commission and staff to incorporate potentially new policy direction that has been discussed during the past
couple of weeks, says the City Manager.
What's he really up to?
If we believe in folklore and creatures who subsist by feeding off the life essence of living things, Scott Maxwell, with new found powers, is going for blood tonight in a meeting changed by him at the last minute from a Workshop to a Special Meeting. This change was made on Friday afternoon and not posted to the web site until after 6pm. The rule, and one in which he has insisted be followed, is normally 11 days to have all back-up and everything on the agenda.
How many times have we all heard him berate the city manager for not following the rules. In this case, he changed the entire meeting from a non-voting discussion meeting for informational purposes to one in which he can take action. Worse than that, the entire commission was not polled and the public, the very people they said that they would listen to, is also swept under the rug of this new "transparency."
What was to be a meeting for extensive discussion purposes has now changed to something much more serious. Last week when the commission was discussing an upcoming meeting date, Commissioner McVoy said that Monday would not be good for him that he had a standing Monday night commitment. Maxwell would have been the only one on the dais who would have remembered that. He must have forgotten, however, when he insisted on Monday, the day before the city manager leaves for Thanksgiving. McVoy said that he would change his outside commitment to suit the majority who certainly could have cared less about any prior commitment that he had. Maxwell wanted it; Maxwell was going to get it. I understand that Suzanne Mulvehill has a class on Monday nights and we do not know if she will be in attendance.
The City Manager admits that the fire assessment must be addressed immediately. The bills are probably programmed to be sent out to every property owner and every pastor in town. And just like an alcoholic that can't get enough, Longboats is giving some small compromise on closing hours from 2am to 1am staying opened for 18 hours instead of 19. They run a bar business you know. It is great to know that we are committed to spending $6 million on this 1922 style Casino because Heeeeeeeeere's Johnny.
Each one of these key issues will require extensive dialog between the new Commission and staff to incorporate potentially new policy direction that has been discussed during the past
couple of weeks, says the City Manager.
- Repeal of the Fire Services Assessment
- The Casino and Beach Redevelopment Plan
- The operation of a City Trolley
- Composition of the Centennial Celebration Committee
- Continuation of the Energy Conservation Program
- Reevaluation of the Power Supply RFP Ranking Evaluation Criteria
- The potential for a one-day trash service
- Use of Billboard settlement money
- The Customer Utility Service RFP
- Lake Worth Lagoon Access Policy
Good luck on all that "extensive discussion" bit. Perhaps the purpose of this meeting being changed from a workshop to a voting meeting is not about the above topics at all. If you see blood tonight, you will know the truth.
Friday, November 18, 2011
November 21 Commission Meeting
Comment Up
UPDATE
The Monday City Commission meeting that was voted to be a Workshop has now been changed (from a request by Scott Maxwell) (and agreed to by the Mayor) to a Special Commission Meeting. That means that all the important discussion items can be voted upon. When speaking to one commissioner, he knew nothing about the change from a Workshop (where a vote can not be taken on any agenda item) to a Special meeting (where a vote is taken).
A few highlights:
Hours of Operation at the beach
The hours of operation of each proposed lease has been changed to reflect closing times not to exceed 12am Sunday through Thursday, and 1am on Friday and Saturday for restaurant spaces. Johnny Longboats, of course, dictated the closing times.
Staff also consulted with Dr. Kirt Rusenko, Marine Conservationist for the Sea Turtle Protection program at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center in Boca Raton regarding hours of operation and noise levels. He stated normal music inside a facility has less of an impact, if any at all. DID YOU TELL HIM THAT THE WINDOWS WOULD BE OPENED? In response to a request for best practices he replied:
“With regards to hours of operation of the restaurants, closing at 11 PM would be less potentially disruptive than closing at 2 AM. Years ago our lighting ordinance was in effect from 11 PM to sunrise and buildings that had lights on until 11 had almost no hatchling disorientations indicating that nests generally hatch after 11 PM. Although the females do sometimes nest between 9 and 11 during season, the majority of nests found the next morning occur after 11 PM. If people were
restricted to the restaurants and near vicinity but not the beach, there should be far less potential impact on nesting females and emerging hatchlings (that are very easy to step on). A lot of people on the beach at night in any one area will scare nesting females away from the active area. I am guessing that Palm Beach Environmental Resources Management would play a role in the hours of operation of the pier and possibly the restaurants.
Anderson & Carr showed the 2nd floor space to another restaurant today.
NYPD Pizza
They are willing to pay $5 more per s.f. or $30.00 per s.f. on a 10 year lease.
Fox Surf & Lake Worth Tee
Staff has discussed removing exclusivity clauses from the leases with Fox Surf and Beach Shop and Lake Worth Tee Shirt Shop. Fox Surf and Beach Shop is amenable to renegotiating a lease without an exclusivity clause. Mr. Connick, attorney for Barry Freedman, has indicated his client wishes the lease for the new space to contain an exclusivity clause.
The Broker has submitted a Letter of Intent from Kings LLC dba Lake Worth Fashion and Swimwear, a Women’s Fashion and Swimwear Company, for retail space at the Casino at thirty dollars a square foot. The company is interested in either retail space. That could possibly mean that one of our long term tenants could be caught in a squeeze and might not get the space.
UPDATE
The Monday City Commission meeting that was voted to be a Workshop has now been changed (from a request by Scott Maxwell) (and agreed to by the Mayor) to a Special Commission Meeting. That means that all the important discussion items can be voted upon. When speaking to one commissioner, he knew nothing about the change from a Workshop (where a vote can not be taken on any agenda item) to a Special meeting (where a vote is taken).
A few highlights:
Hours of Operation at the beach
The hours of operation of each proposed lease has been changed to reflect closing times not to exceed 12am Sunday through Thursday, and 1am on Friday and Saturday for restaurant spaces. Johnny Longboats, of course, dictated the closing times.
Staff also consulted with Dr. Kirt Rusenko, Marine Conservationist for the Sea Turtle Protection program at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center in Boca Raton regarding hours of operation and noise levels. He stated normal music inside a facility has less of an impact, if any at all. DID YOU TELL HIM THAT THE WINDOWS WOULD BE OPENED? In response to a request for best practices he replied:
“With regards to hours of operation of the restaurants, closing at 11 PM would be less potentially disruptive than closing at 2 AM. Years ago our lighting ordinance was in effect from 11 PM to sunrise and buildings that had lights on until 11 had almost no hatchling disorientations indicating that nests generally hatch after 11 PM. Although the females do sometimes nest between 9 and 11 during season, the majority of nests found the next morning occur after 11 PM. If people were
restricted to the restaurants and near vicinity but not the beach, there should be far less potential impact on nesting females and emerging hatchlings (that are very easy to step on). A lot of people on the beach at night in any one area will scare nesting females away from the active area. I am guessing that Palm Beach Environmental Resources Management would play a role in the hours of operation of the pier and possibly the restaurants.
Anderson & Carr showed the 2nd floor space to another restaurant today.
NYPD Pizza
They are willing to pay $5 more per s.f. or $30.00 per s.f. on a 10 year lease.
Fox Surf & Lake Worth Tee
Staff has discussed removing exclusivity clauses from the leases with Fox Surf and Beach Shop and Lake Worth Tee Shirt Shop. Fox Surf and Beach Shop is amenable to renegotiating a lease without an exclusivity clause. Mr. Connick, attorney for Barry Freedman, has indicated his client wishes the lease for the new space to contain an exclusivity clause.
The Broker has submitted a Letter of Intent from Kings LLC dba Lake Worth Fashion and Swimwear, a Women’s Fashion and Swimwear Company, for retail space at the Casino at thirty dollars a square foot. The company is interested in either retail space. That could possibly mean that one of our long term tenants could be caught in a squeeze and might not get the space.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Most Politicians usually end up being Self-Serving
Comment Up
I have spoken about Jeff Clemens often enough and consider him a part of the worst commission in Lake Worth. While he was Mayor, it was that commission that decided they wanted to rule longer than a United States Congressman. Talk about arrogance. They wanted three year terms so that "they could get something done." What that meant was, "We want longer terms to even screw up Lake Worth more than we are already screwing it up" and get us in so deep that we would never get out. Think our Casino and the PB County Water Contract.
Now today he is touting longer terms once again. He had a problem listening to the people back then and totally discounts their wishes even to this day. It is amazing that he is now a State Representative. He won that position because his opponent was weak and not given one iota of any help by the Republican Party.
We need to stay with two year terms just as 68% of the voters wanted in 2008.
Next, Johnny Longboats as an anchor tenant is acceptable on the first level only. What is not okay is their insistence on a 2am closing time and the city manager pushing this down our throats. This, once again, is not what the people want for our beach. It has never been the vision for Lake Worth beach. Commissioner Chris McVoy has a total grasp of the situation and understands like no other commissioner up there. Suzanne Mulvehill is a big disappointment as she now wants to "forget" what the people said, what the people wanted. She is more loyal to Susan Stanton than to the people when it comes to our Casino. Stanton is sitting in the wings hoping that her one-on-ones with this new majority will convince them to give her what she wants regardless of we silly people.
To see a quote from Andy Amoroso in today's paper going along with the city manager's wish to have one tenant occupy 2/3'rds of our rentable space under their terms, is not good for Lake Worth. Yes, the building must pay for itself but we can find a tenant that does not strong-arm us and insist on an unreasonable closing time, a place with ordinary food that is secondary to its bar business. We need to consider the possibility of default because Johnny Longboats is no John G's. I doubt seriously if people will be lining up to dine at Longboats or lining up to buy that cocktail.
What Andy Amoroso should be considering are the people here, not just business interests. So, when the Realtors Association bet their endorsement on Triolo and Amoroso, it wasn't because of the ordinary citizen in Lake Worth. The Association said that we need people who will listen to the people. That is exactly what we expect of Mr. Amoroso and Ms. Triolo. Every official needs to read up on our history and understand what the people said and when they said it and stop changing the rules/vote at every opportunity. Didn't they ask that question regarding the vision of our casino when they were campaigning? Afterall, it was the resident voters who just elected them, not businesses.
New leaders vow business-friendly climate.
I have spoken about Jeff Clemens often enough and consider him a part of the worst commission in Lake Worth. While he was Mayor, it was that commission that decided they wanted to rule longer than a United States Congressman. Talk about arrogance. They wanted three year terms so that "they could get something done." What that meant was, "We want longer terms to even screw up Lake Worth more than we are already screwing it up" and get us in so deep that we would never get out. Think our Casino and the PB County Water Contract.
Now today he is touting longer terms once again. He had a problem listening to the people back then and totally discounts their wishes even to this day. It is amazing that he is now a State Representative. He won that position because his opponent was weak and not given one iota of any help by the Republican Party.
We need to stay with two year terms just as 68% of the voters wanted in 2008.
Next, Johnny Longboats as an anchor tenant is acceptable on the first level only. What is not okay is their insistence on a 2am closing time and the city manager pushing this down our throats. This, once again, is not what the people want for our beach. It has never been the vision for Lake Worth beach. Commissioner Chris McVoy has a total grasp of the situation and understands like no other commissioner up there. Suzanne Mulvehill is a big disappointment as she now wants to "forget" what the people said, what the people wanted. She is more loyal to Susan Stanton than to the people when it comes to our Casino. Stanton is sitting in the wings hoping that her one-on-ones with this new majority will convince them to give her what she wants regardless of we silly people.
To see a quote from Andy Amoroso in today's paper going along with the city manager's wish to have one tenant occupy 2/3'rds of our rentable space under their terms, is not good for Lake Worth. Yes, the building must pay for itself but we can find a tenant that does not strong-arm us and insist on an unreasonable closing time, a place with ordinary food that is secondary to its bar business. We need to consider the possibility of default because Johnny Longboats is no John G's. I doubt seriously if people will be lining up to dine at Longboats or lining up to buy that cocktail.
What Andy Amoroso should be considering are the people here, not just business interests. So, when the Realtors Association bet their endorsement on Triolo and Amoroso, it wasn't because of the ordinary citizen in Lake Worth. The Association said that we need people who will listen to the people. That is exactly what we expect of Mr. Amoroso and Ms. Triolo. Every official needs to read up on our history and understand what the people said and when they said it and stop changing the rules/vote at every opportunity. Didn't they ask that question regarding the vision of our casino when they were campaigning? Afterall, it was the resident voters who just elected them, not businesses.
New leaders vow business-friendly climate.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Wingflyer at Singer Island Ocean Mall
Comment Up
I took a ride with Katie back to Singer Island to check out the Wingflyers that she saw a few weeks ago while we visited Johnny Longboats.
You can rent ($12 an hour medium price) or buy these cool wheels (middle range is at $329) --that model will support someone up to 220lbs.
Katie says, "This is cool!"
On Singer Island, you can peddle down the island trail, enjoying the Intracoastal view or ride to the inlet to watch the boats cruise by. On the same trail you will find the Palm Beach Shores butterfly garden or turn around and cruise north to John D. MacArthur Park.
I took a ride with Katie back to Singer Island to check out the Wingflyers that she saw a few weeks ago while we visited Johnny Longboats.You can rent ($12 an hour medium price) or buy these cool wheels (middle range is at $329) --that model will support someone up to 220lbs.
Katie says, "This is cool!"Saturday, November 5, 2011
Thursday night at City Hall
Comment Up
A few photos from Thursday night--
The only campaigns dominating the 4 corners by City Hall that night were Amoroso and a few Triolo signs were spotted. With the important beach leases about to be discussed as well as Channel 12 on the scene, these candidates seized the moment to get their message out.
Now that Peggy Fisher has made the word famous, here are a few photos of pissed off people in the Chamber.
Paul Snitkin, broker with Anderson and Carr
An unhappy Vice Mayor who wanted Johnny Longboats doing anything it wished to our new building thus changing the vision for our beach: holes in ceiling, noise, bars opened til 2am and watch out turtles.
No explanation
A few photos from Thursday night--
The only campaigns dominating the 4 corners by City Hall that night were Amoroso and a few Triolo signs were spotted. With the important beach leases about to be discussed as well as Channel 12 on the scene, these candidates seized the moment to get their message out.
Now that Peggy Fisher has made the word famous, here are a few photos of pissed off people in the Chamber.
Paul Snitkin, broker with Anderson and Carr
An unhappy Vice Mayor who wanted Johnny Longboats doing anything it wished to our new building thus changing the vision for our beach: holes in ceiling, noise, bars opened til 2am and watch out turtles.
No explanationFriday, November 4, 2011
Lake Worth Casino Leases
Comment Up
This Casino and our beach do not belong to Staff or the City Manager no more than City Hall is Stanton's house.
With Staff's attempt to push Johnny Longboats down the throats of the citizens and the Vice Mayor in agreement, none of the leases were decided upon last night. No one wants to remember all of the work we did just a few years ago to save our beach from commercialization. We all who signed the petition have a clear focus on what we want at our beach. No one wants to remember the act of Retha Lowe when that majority commission had her grab the Casino lease from Mayor Mark Drautz's hands and had her, as Vice Mayor, sign the lease with Greater Bay, a lease that did not protect the City of Lake Worth and now has resulted in a $40 million lawsuit.
We learned at the beginning of the meeting that the back-up was not received in time according to the rules of the Commission. Maxwell said that they were still receiving documents. He asked that the Commission table the agenda so that the commission could have sufficient time to read and digest all the documentation, that there had been lease changes, etc. The City Attorney agreed with Maxwell that the rules had been violated, that information had to be received 5 to 7 days before the meeting and that supplements had been submitted only 2 days prior some actually received that day..."The Commission needs to be consistent in the rules," she said.
One of the most important decisions of the commission will be to ensure that all if the i's and t's have been crossed when leasing our casino spaces and that no Lessee will have a loop-hole to sue the City. Closing times are very important and should be stated explicitly. Last night it was obvious that not having time to digest the information was of no importance to four sitting on the dais when Mulvehill made a motion to waive the rules once again (4/1 vote) and proceed with the meeting. This is becoming a habit for this Commission.
Vice Mayor Mulvehill asked Kathleen Margoles to read the additional information that was not submitted in a timely fashion: The FAB letter, comparison of the leases and the additional information from Commissioner McVoy. Even more significant and not mentioned--Leases had been altered and changed from just 2 weeks ago.
There is a definite disconnect between staff, the commission and the public and I would think that the public's views far out-weigh the other's.
"It is not a building in a city park; it's a commercial building."
~City Manager Susan Stanton
"Yes it is a building in a city park."
~Commissioner McVoy
"It's unfair to restrict hours." "ERM wants to monitor the project."
~Assistant City Manger, Kathleen Margoles
"The Commission needs to step back. We need to table this until we can read all of the back-up. This will be the most important decision we make...whatever goes into that anchor space is the glue that brings it all together. This is not a simple process we are engaging in tonight."
~Commissioner Scott Maxwell
"I have a problem with the closing time" "We do not want to sell ourselves short" (by rushing in a tenant)
~Commissioner Jo-Ann Golden
"We have an opportunity right now to go forward. I am very disappointed."
~Vice Mayor Suzanne Mulvehill
"2am closing changes the nature of our beach."
~Commissioner Christopher McVoy
"I'm feeling unappreciated right now."
~Robert Banting, President Anderson & Carr (brokers on the casino)
"The Commission needs to step back."
~Mary Lindsey, President of College Park Neighborhood Association
We need a Commission that is in rapture with the public, not Staff, and one that understands once you agree to something in a Lease such as a closing time and then you change that for whatever reason, you will have a law suit--guaranteed. This is a business, city manager and Vice Mayor, and as such, it is offensive to the public that you are rushing this and attempting to push this down the throats of the people. It is also our beach park, and we want to keep it that way.
It took 3 hours to reach the conclusion, originally requested by Scott Maxwell, to table. The Commission on a 4/1 vote with Mulvehill dissenting, tabled the execution of the beach leases.
This Casino and our beach do not belong to Staff or the City Manager no more than City Hall is Stanton's house.
With Staff's attempt to push Johnny Longboats down the throats of the citizens and the Vice Mayor in agreement, none of the leases were decided upon last night. No one wants to remember all of the work we did just a few years ago to save our beach from commercialization. We all who signed the petition have a clear focus on what we want at our beach. No one wants to remember the act of Retha Lowe when that majority commission had her grab the Casino lease from Mayor Mark Drautz's hands and had her, as Vice Mayor, sign the lease with Greater Bay, a lease that did not protect the City of Lake Worth and now has resulted in a $40 million lawsuit.
We learned at the beginning of the meeting that the back-up was not received in time according to the rules of the Commission. Maxwell said that they were still receiving documents. He asked that the Commission table the agenda so that the commission could have sufficient time to read and digest all the documentation, that there had been lease changes, etc. The City Attorney agreed with Maxwell that the rules had been violated, that information had to be received 5 to 7 days before the meeting and that supplements had been submitted only 2 days prior some actually received that day..."The Commission needs to be consistent in the rules," she said.
One of the most important decisions of the commission will be to ensure that all if the i's and t's have been crossed when leasing our casino spaces and that no Lessee will have a loop-hole to sue the City. Closing times are very important and should be stated explicitly. Last night it was obvious that not having time to digest the information was of no importance to four sitting on the dais when Mulvehill made a motion to waive the rules once again (4/1 vote) and proceed with the meeting. This is becoming a habit for this Commission.
Vice Mayor Mulvehill asked Kathleen Margoles to read the additional information that was not submitted in a timely fashion: The FAB letter, comparison of the leases and the additional information from Commissioner McVoy. Even more significant and not mentioned--Leases had been altered and changed from just 2 weeks ago.
There is a definite disconnect between staff, the commission and the public and I would think that the public's views far out-weigh the other's.
"It is not a building in a city park; it's a commercial building."
~City Manager Susan Stanton
"Yes it is a building in a city park."
~Commissioner McVoy
"It's unfair to restrict hours." "ERM wants to monitor the project."
~Assistant City Manger, Kathleen Margoles
"The Commission needs to step back. We need to table this until we can read all of the back-up. This will be the most important decision we make...whatever goes into that anchor space is the glue that brings it all together. This is not a simple process we are engaging in tonight."
~Commissioner Scott Maxwell
"I have a problem with the closing time" "We do not want to sell ourselves short" (by rushing in a tenant)
~Commissioner Jo-Ann Golden
"We have an opportunity right now to go forward. I am very disappointed."
~Vice Mayor Suzanne Mulvehill
"2am closing changes the nature of our beach."
~Commissioner Christopher McVoy
"I'm feeling unappreciated right now."
~Robert Banting, President Anderson & Carr (brokers on the casino)
"The Commission needs to step back."
~Mary Lindsey, President of College Park Neighborhood Association
We need a Commission that is in rapture with the public, not Staff, and one that understands once you agree to something in a Lease such as a closing time and then you change that for whatever reason, you will have a law suit--guaranteed. This is a business, city manager and Vice Mayor, and as such, it is offensive to the public that you are rushing this and attempting to push this down the throats of the people. It is also our beach park, and we want to keep it that way.
It took 3 hours to reach the conclusion, originally requested by Scott Maxwell, to table. The Commission on a 4/1 vote with Mulvehill dissenting, tabled the execution of the beach leases.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Financial (non) Advisory Board is only a Rubber Stamp for City Hall
Comment Up
7. Impact activity at the recent Commission meeting may have had on prospective tenant confidence in the City.
FAB finding: Uncertainty and indecision over this issue places the project in a precarious position to the point where its potential survival is at stake. A lack of commitment to the Commission approved Casino Business Plan is counterproductive and jeopardizes the project.
REVIEWED BY AND RECOMMENDATION:
The FAB, based upon our extensive review of the proposed tenants, their credit worthiness, initial lease agreements, Commission adopted Casino Financing Plan and an examination of the ramifications that failure to act and poor tenant choice will have on the Casino Financing Plan strongly recommend leases be executed with the following entities.
• Mama Mias for units 1 and 2.
• Kilwins for units 3 and 4.
• Fox Surf and Beach Shops for units 5 and 6.
• Johnny Longboats for units 8 through 12.
The FAB further recommends continued exploration of tenant options for unit 7.
Is it possible that the city could sunset or dissolve this Board as well? It's about as useless as the CRB and a few others.
7. Impact activity at the recent Commission meeting may have had on prospective tenant confidence in the City.FAB finding: Uncertainty and indecision over this issue places the project in a precarious position to the point where its potential survival is at stake. A lack of commitment to the Commission approved Casino Business Plan is counterproductive and jeopardizes the project.
REVIEWED BY AND RECOMMENDATION:
The FAB, based upon our extensive review of the proposed tenants, their credit worthiness, initial lease agreements, Commission adopted Casino Financing Plan and an examination of the ramifications that failure to act and poor tenant choice will have on the Casino Financing Plan strongly recommend leases be executed with the following entities.
• Mama Mias for units 1 and 2.
• Kilwins for units 3 and 4.
• Fox Surf and Beach Shops for units 5 and 6.
• Johnny Longboats for units 8 through 12.
The FAB further recommends continued exploration of tenant options for unit 7.
Is it possible that the city could sunset or dissolve this Board as well? It's about as useless as the CRB and a few others.
Casino Leases to be approved tonight
Comment Up
Tonight's the night that the Commission will vote on the leases that will be presented to them--the lucky occupants of a brand new building situated across from the Atlantic Ocean and built in the style of the original building of 1922, a building that anyone would be lucky to inhabit.
We will hear why no one wants to rent the upper level and have an ocean and Intracoastal Waterway view and that we should be grateful that Johnny Longboats does. We will hear from the broker that he has looked far and wide and there is no interest. We will hear that Longboats should get a big break on the price per square foot because, afterall, they are taking 66% of our leasable space and they will be financing $1 mil in improvements to our property. We will hear that they just have to stay opened until 2am in order to make any money. We will hear that they are really doing us all a favor.
Will the commission give a dang about our turtles and the lack of proper lighting? And how will the city manager grab the cash for that because they surely have to be installed? Will they still care that this is a beach PARK and not a brand new $6 mil building so that one tenant can make a killing? Will all those one on one meetings out of the sunshine convince the commission to allow this to happen as well as to kick our long time tenants out, those who were treated abominably over the last 3 years never knowing if the casino was going to be condemned and they would be out on their ears and forced to rent in a building that was crumbling before their very eyes. Will the commission forget that John G's was there for 37 years, closing at 3pm and fed 4 families? Will the commission forget the desires of 3,000 people who signed the petition only a few years ago that outlined their vision of our beach and casino park property...a petition that was certified to go to ballot until Jennings used her influence and stopped it?
After the last meeting on October 19, the question will be, will the city manager and her assistant who is in charge of this project, convince this commission by getting approval of the most expedient solution, that of a Longboats lease. It will remove one problem off their plate.
Tonight's the night that the Commission will vote on the leases that will be presented to them--the lucky occupants of a brand new building situated across from the Atlantic Ocean and built in the style of the original building of 1922, a building that anyone would be lucky to inhabit.
We will hear why no one wants to rent the upper level and have an ocean and Intracoastal Waterway view and that we should be grateful that Johnny Longboats does. We will hear from the broker that he has looked far and wide and there is no interest. We will hear that Longboats should get a big break on the price per square foot because, afterall, they are taking 66% of our leasable space and they will be financing $1 mil in improvements to our property. We will hear that they just have to stay opened until 2am in order to make any money. We will hear that they are really doing us all a favor.
Will the commission give a dang about our turtles and the lack of proper lighting? And how will the city manager grab the cash for that because they surely have to be installed? Will they still care that this is a beach PARK and not a brand new $6 mil building so that one tenant can make a killing? Will all those one on one meetings out of the sunshine convince the commission to allow this to happen as well as to kick our long time tenants out, those who were treated abominably over the last 3 years never knowing if the casino was going to be condemned and they would be out on their ears and forced to rent in a building that was crumbling before their very eyes. Will the commission forget that John G's was there for 37 years, closing at 3pm and fed 4 families? Will the commission forget the desires of 3,000 people who signed the petition only a few years ago that outlined their vision of our beach and casino park property...a petition that was certified to go to ballot until Jennings used her influence and stopped it?
After the last meeting on October 19, the question will be, will the city manager and her assistant who is in charge of this project, convince this commission by getting approval of the most expedient solution, that of a Longboats lease. It will remove one problem off their plate.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Johnny Longboats
Comment Up
Katie and I went to Singer Island yesterday to check out Johnny Longboats and have lunch. It has been years since I have been to Singer Island and the changes are astounding. In some respects, Dan Catalfumo has done a great job at the beach. Longboats is no longer situated in a stand-alone building but located in one of the pastel painted attached stores on the southern tip of the shopping area right next to where Palm Beach Shores begins.
The food was good and priced fairly. The service was good. The decor was fun and appropriate for a beach restaurant. The windows opened to give an open air effect. The restaurant had many customers but it was not crowded as John G's always was but it was, afterall, a Tuesday. One advantage of the beach experience at Singer Island is the free parking. The shopping is set off a ways from the beach itself. Longboats closes at 1am.
The tennis courts that had been located at the south end of Singer Island beach and there for decades were no longer there. When we left the beach, we noticed that they had moved them to the north end of the beach property.
Where Riviera Beach and Catalfumo failed is that you can no longer see the ocean on the drive-by, one of the disappointments of this beach redevelopment. This soon will be the same situation at the Lake Worth beach once it is done thanks to an insensitive commission of Cara Jennings and Rene Varela. People like to go to the beach to see the sea as they cruise by in their cars. It is a crime how a few people who had the power voted to destroy our beach in the name of "green" or progress and subsequent commissions have done nothing to rectify this. I was told by the head leader that it was too late; it is in progress. Nothing is too late, Mayor. No one has dug one hole of dirt yet.
And speaking of power, city staff wants Johnny Longboats, no matter what--a few thoughts on what I would like to see happen--
1. Allow them to take the lower level if they still choose and no loud music.
2. Rent the upper level to a different restaurant. It is smart to diversify and not give any one store so much control over our Casino should the tenant default. An anchor tenant is needed but not over 60% of the leasable space to an unknown. If this doesn't work out, find a national chain restaurant. Who cares as long as it stays within our vision and our rules and not the other way around. Build to accommodate that upper level tenant--outside elevators.
3. Have Longboats pay a big security deposit and submit 5 years of financials. Have them give the City a copy of their tax return every year throughout the lease. We need to know about their financial health.
4. Commissioner Maxwell wants a personal guarantee. Get it if you can. I doubt it.
5. Close the beach no later than 11pm and that is generous and later than I would like. This is first and foremost a park. There are other considerations here such as cost of utilities and public safety that the taxpayer will be paying at the beach to accommodate Johnny Longboats with their extended closing time. What are the estimated costs of these? Are the turtles in harm's way, etc. Contact scientists and government agencies and get opinions. Make a resolution now and change the BAC zoning to include a definite closing time so that no tenant can dictate its hours on our property.
6. Ensure that the City's lighting is in compliance.
7. Have them pay more per s.f. and increase the rent escalation clauses. This is a business and we hold the cards here.
8. Have them apply for financing immediately once a lease is negotiated and executed and give them a deadline to produce. We don't want a repeat of Greater Bay shenanigans. Don't produce, immediately find new tenant. In fact, find one now.
9. And for heaven's sake, if Mr. Banting and Mr. Snitkin still believe that they can NOT rent the upper space, find another brokerage with the proper attitude. If you don't believe you can do something, you won't, and we need someone who believes in the success of this Casino.
Katie and I went to Singer Island yesterday to check out Johnny Longboats and have lunch. It has been years since I have been to Singer Island and the changes are astounding. In some respects, Dan Catalfumo has done a great job at the beach. Longboats is no longer situated in a stand-alone building but located in one of the pastel painted attached stores on the southern tip of the shopping area right next to where Palm Beach Shores begins.
The food was good and priced fairly. The service was good. The decor was fun and appropriate for a beach restaurant. The windows opened to give an open air effect. The restaurant had many customers but it was not crowded as John G's always was but it was, afterall, a Tuesday. One advantage of the beach experience at Singer Island is the free parking. The shopping is set off a ways from the beach itself. Longboats closes at 1am.
The tennis courts that had been located at the south end of Singer Island beach and there for decades were no longer there. When we left the beach, we noticed that they had moved them to the north end of the beach property.
Where Riviera Beach and Catalfumo failed is that you can no longer see the ocean on the drive-by, one of the disappointments of this beach redevelopment. This soon will be the same situation at the Lake Worth beach once it is done thanks to an insensitive commission of Cara Jennings and Rene Varela. People like to go to the beach to see the sea as they cruise by in their cars. It is a crime how a few people who had the power voted to destroy our beach in the name of "green" or progress and subsequent commissions have done nothing to rectify this. I was told by the head leader that it was too late; it is in progress. Nothing is too late, Mayor. No one has dug one hole of dirt yet.
And speaking of power, city staff wants Johnny Longboats, no matter what--a few thoughts on what I would like to see happen--
1. Allow them to take the lower level if they still choose and no loud music.
2. Rent the upper level to a different restaurant. It is smart to diversify and not give any one store so much control over our Casino should the tenant default. An anchor tenant is needed but not over 60% of the leasable space to an unknown. If this doesn't work out, find a national chain restaurant. Who cares as long as it stays within our vision and our rules and not the other way around. Build to accommodate that upper level tenant--outside elevators.
3. Have Longboats pay a big security deposit and submit 5 years of financials. Have them give the City a copy of their tax return every year throughout the lease. We need to know about their financial health.
4. Commissioner Maxwell wants a personal guarantee. Get it if you can. I doubt it.
5. Close the beach no later than 11pm and that is generous and later than I would like. This is first and foremost a park. There are other considerations here such as cost of utilities and public safety that the taxpayer will be paying at the beach to accommodate Johnny Longboats with their extended closing time. What are the estimated costs of these? Are the turtles in harm's way, etc. Contact scientists and government agencies and get opinions. Make a resolution now and change the BAC zoning to include a definite closing time so that no tenant can dictate its hours on our property.
6. Ensure that the City's lighting is in compliance.
7. Have them pay more per s.f. and increase the rent escalation clauses. This is a business and we hold the cards here.
8. Have them apply for financing immediately once a lease is negotiated and executed and give them a deadline to produce. We don't want a repeat of Greater Bay shenanigans. Don't produce, immediately find new tenant. In fact, find one now.
9. And for heaven's sake, if Mr. Banting and Mr. Snitkin still believe that they can NOT rent the upper space, find another brokerage with the proper attitude. If you don't believe you can do something, you won't, and we need someone who believes in the success of this Casino.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Casino Tenants and our Beach Park
Comment Up
Vito, NYPD Pizza
I guess the star of the evening, at least in my mind, was Commissioner McVoy. He has not forgotten what we petitioned for several years ago and what the people told him then. We want to keep our beach a beach; we do not want further commercialization of our beach park. Rachel Waterman also had a good understanding of what the people have always said that they wanted.
I have never been happy with the idea of Johnny Longboats there especially wanting to take the upstairs restaurant space as well. A sports type bar is not what I envision for our new building costing $6 million and designed to our 1922 elegant Casino. As several of the public mentioned last night, we asked for a restaurant for fine or upscale dining on the second level. We have never wanted a business to take over our Casino and dictate hours of operation. We never wanted early morning closing hours. It is our property.
I went to the beach lease meeting with the expectation that the Commission would be signing the beach leases and throwing out NYPD Pizza and Lake Worth Beach Tee Shirt Company. It was an upsetting thought as these two companies have been at our beach casino for 17 years and 25 years. They have proven that they could have a successful business by the sheer fact of longevity.
The real estate broker, Snitkin, as well as the City of Lake Worth were the culprits, the ones who put the wrench in the wheel. Snitkin brought 3 other pizza companies to the table for consideration. This never should have happened as NYPD had right of first refusal and the City Commission had already accepted their Letters of Intent. The City Staff nixed it with a bad recommendation (due to paranoia as previously stated in another blog) because they were sometimes late in paying their rent. The NYPD shop was late over the past 32 months due to the uncertainty of the entire casino situation. Everyone was operating there never knowing if the building was going to be condemned the next day. He got slow on his rent during that time but subsequently paid everything in full as he did for the prior 15 years.
I can well understand why the City wants to be extra careful as to whom rents in our Casino. It must be a business that can make money, afford the rents and the City has to feel comfortable that they can do so as the building must pay for itself. If just one store defaults on a lease, it could cost us dearly. As Scott Maxwell said, this has to operate as a business. But these two long time tenants have already proven they have sustainability.
Attorney Tom Connick with Barry Freedman
Barry at Lake Worth Tee is asking for one exclusive because his business is 100% with "name-drop" merchandise. He wants anything with the words, "Palm Beach," "Lake Worth," "Florida," and "Lake Worth Casino" to be his exclusive.
The Fox Surf Shop, on the other hand, wants to encroach upon the merchandise usually associated with a typical and classic tee-shirt shop. Fox has asked for ten exclusives that consist of clothing with name-drops that the owner says is 30% of his business, gifts, ladies and junior beachwear, sandals and shoes, jewelry, beach accessories, swim-wear, sunglasses and hats, surfboards and surf accessories (that one is definitely reasonable) and souveniers. Barry's has asked for one exclusive that is 100% of his business.
It's no wonder that the two owners could come to zero compromise on exclusivity. Fox wants to sell and have an exclusive on everything under the sun including surfboards that should be his main business and Barry just wants to sell his name-drop merchandise as he always has. Vice Mayor Mulvehill was correct when she suggested several times that each have only one exclusive.
The City Staff once again gave Barry's a poor recommendation in order to solve the "problem" not considering the circumstances or his long tenure at our beach, a repeat of the NYPD situation.
The brokerage firm of Anderson and Carr was represented by Robert Banting who has served as president and managing partner of Anderson & Carr since 1994 and Paul Snitkin, head of sales and leasing for the firm. I have to say, in spite of their top reputation, these two were the most negative brokers I have encountered in quite some time. Banting actually said that they can't rent the 2nd floor level--no one wants to be there.
This is ocean front property and will be a brand new building. Other very successful restaurants are in buildings on upper or roof levels. It certainly can be done and it just takes a broker willing to do the job and earn that 7% real estate commission to find the client. They didn't even have to find Johnny Longboats. That sweet deal fell in their laps. They and the City really do not want to look further. The City Staff would rather give Longboats what they ask: lower rents; no escalation during the 10 year lease and a closing time of 2am. This is the time to find that tenant so that the building can be built to accommodate that upstairs entrance whether it is an extra elevator or staircase as Chris McVoy said.
Nothing was voted on last night. The Commission asked Anderson & Carr to discuss the business model with Johnny Longboats as they had long left and had not made a formal presentation--no visuals, no menu, no back-ups and it was felt that their vision for our community is not what we want as it does not represent the character and flavor of our beach park. It was also stated that there must be a balance of hours, personal guarantees and possible additional security deposits.
I am happy that we had a Commission that stood up for what was right and not what staff pushed on us.
Vito, NYPD PizzaI guess the star of the evening, at least in my mind, was Commissioner McVoy. He has not forgotten what we petitioned for several years ago and what the people told him then. We want to keep our beach a beach; we do not want further commercialization of our beach park. Rachel Waterman also had a good understanding of what the people have always said that they wanted.
I have never been happy with the idea of Johnny Longboats there especially wanting to take the upstairs restaurant space as well. A sports type bar is not what I envision for our new building costing $6 million and designed to our 1922 elegant Casino. As several of the public mentioned last night, we asked for a restaurant for fine or upscale dining on the second level. We have never wanted a business to take over our Casino and dictate hours of operation. We never wanted early morning closing hours. It is our property.
I went to the beach lease meeting with the expectation that the Commission would be signing the beach leases and throwing out NYPD Pizza and Lake Worth Beach Tee Shirt Company. It was an upsetting thought as these two companies have been at our beach casino for 17 years and 25 years. They have proven that they could have a successful business by the sheer fact of longevity.
The real estate broker, Snitkin, as well as the City of Lake Worth were the culprits, the ones who put the wrench in the wheel. Snitkin brought 3 other pizza companies to the table for consideration. This never should have happened as NYPD had right of first refusal and the City Commission had already accepted their Letters of Intent. The City Staff nixed it with a bad recommendation (due to paranoia as previously stated in another blog) because they were sometimes late in paying their rent. The NYPD shop was late over the past 32 months due to the uncertainty of the entire casino situation. Everyone was operating there never knowing if the building was going to be condemned the next day. He got slow on his rent during that time but subsequently paid everything in full as he did for the prior 15 years.
I can well understand why the City wants to be extra careful as to whom rents in our Casino. It must be a business that can make money, afford the rents and the City has to feel comfortable that they can do so as the building must pay for itself. If just one store defaults on a lease, it could cost us dearly. As Scott Maxwell said, this has to operate as a business. But these two long time tenants have already proven they have sustainability.
Attorney Tom Connick with Barry FreedmanBarry at Lake Worth Tee is asking for one exclusive because his business is 100% with "name-drop" merchandise. He wants anything with the words, "Palm Beach," "Lake Worth," "Florida," and "Lake Worth Casino" to be his exclusive.
The Fox Surf Shop, on the other hand, wants to encroach upon the merchandise usually associated with a typical and classic tee-shirt shop. Fox has asked for ten exclusives that consist of clothing with name-drops that the owner says is 30% of his business, gifts, ladies and junior beachwear, sandals and shoes, jewelry, beach accessories, swim-wear, sunglasses and hats, surfboards and surf accessories (that one is definitely reasonable) and souveniers. Barry's has asked for one exclusive that is 100% of his business.
It's no wonder that the two owners could come to zero compromise on exclusivity. Fox wants to sell and have an exclusive on everything under the sun including surfboards that should be his main business and Barry just wants to sell his name-drop merchandise as he always has. Vice Mayor Mulvehill was correct when she suggested several times that each have only one exclusive.
The City Staff once again gave Barry's a poor recommendation in order to solve the "problem" not considering the circumstances or his long tenure at our beach, a repeat of the NYPD situation.
The brokerage firm of Anderson and Carr was represented by Robert Banting who has served as president and managing partner of Anderson & Carr since 1994 and Paul Snitkin, head of sales and leasing for the firm. I have to say, in spite of their top reputation, these two were the most negative brokers I have encountered in quite some time. Banting actually said that they can't rent the 2nd floor level--no one wants to be there.
This is ocean front property and will be a brand new building. Other very successful restaurants are in buildings on upper or roof levels. It certainly can be done and it just takes a broker willing to do the job and earn that 7% real estate commission to find the client. They didn't even have to find Johnny Longboats. That sweet deal fell in their laps. They and the City really do not want to look further. The City Staff would rather give Longboats what they ask: lower rents; no escalation during the 10 year lease and a closing time of 2am. This is the time to find that tenant so that the building can be built to accommodate that upstairs entrance whether it is an extra elevator or staircase as Chris McVoy said.
Nothing was voted on last night. The Commission asked Anderson & Carr to discuss the business model with Johnny Longboats as they had long left and had not made a formal presentation--no visuals, no menu, no back-ups and it was felt that their vision for our community is not what we want as it does not represent the character and flavor of our beach park. It was also stated that there must be a balance of hours, personal guarantees and possible additional security deposits.
I am happy that we had a Commission that stood up for what was right and not what staff pushed on us.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Lake Worth Casino Leases
Comment Up
When we first discussed the Casino build-out for tenants, I distinctly recall that all of them were to get a black box build-out. This was described as a bare space and one in which the tenant was responsible for all construction to ready the space for occupancy. Anderson & Carr complained about that in a PBG Post article.
Now, according to Morganti, each space will be finished to a Vanilla box costing $60,000. The back-up does not indicate whether this is $60,000 for each space or total cost. A Vanilla box means that it will be up to the tenant to pay for paint, flooring, any built-in cabinetry or counter tops, and anything else that is custom to the particular tenant's business.
Typically a vanilla box space will have sheet rock walls ready for paint, a drop ceiling or a finished sheet rock ceiling depending on the building, a concrete floor ready for the installation of carpet or some other type of flooring, a bathroom (again, no paint here either), and usually the lights and plugs are installed. Anything else will be done at the expense of the tenant. Sometimes the landlord will give the tenant an allowance for construction improvements with the cost of the improvements being added to the base rent.
The casino is estimated to be complete in November 2013? At that time, tenants are supposed to start paying rent. In the case of our Lake Worth Casino, we, the landlord, are giving concessions of free rent during the build-out anywhere from 4 to 8 months with the exception of Johnny Longboats. Longboats requested free rent during the build-out, time undetermined, (there is no copy of the proposed lease in the back-up) as well as the first 5 months free (the graph shows 6 months free) because it says it will be spending over a million to build out the space. Essentially this means that Longboats will not be paying any rent to the City for possibly the first year or longer. They also have requested a waiver of the security deposit until year 5 in recognition of their investment and have asked for only one rental increase during the ten year term.
Tonight the city commission votes to execute the leases for:
Johnny Longboats, Lake Worth Beach, LLP.
Kilwin’s Chocolate and Ice Cream.
Fox Surf and Beach Shop.
Mama Mia’s on the Beach.
Note: It was stated at last night's meeting on beach leases (Oct 19) that the November 2013 date was wrong. The Casino is expected to be built by October 2012.
When we first discussed the Casino build-out for tenants, I distinctly recall that all of them were to get a black box build-out. This was described as a bare space and one in which the tenant was responsible for all construction to ready the space for occupancy. Anderson & Carr complained about that in a PBG Post article.
Now, according to Morganti, each space will be finished to a Vanilla box costing $60,000. The back-up does not indicate whether this is $60,000 for each space or total cost. A Vanilla box means that it will be up to the tenant to pay for paint, flooring, any built-in cabinetry or counter tops, and anything else that is custom to the particular tenant's business.
Typically a vanilla box space will have sheet rock walls ready for paint, a drop ceiling or a finished sheet rock ceiling depending on the building, a concrete floor ready for the installation of carpet or some other type of flooring, a bathroom (again, no paint here either), and usually the lights and plugs are installed. Anything else will be done at the expense of the tenant. Sometimes the landlord will give the tenant an allowance for construction improvements with the cost of the improvements being added to the base rent.
The casino is estimated to be complete in November 2013? At that time, tenants are supposed to start paying rent. In the case of our Lake Worth Casino, we, the landlord, are giving concessions of free rent during the build-out anywhere from 4 to 8 months with the exception of Johnny Longboats. Longboats requested free rent during the build-out, time undetermined, (there is no copy of the proposed lease in the back-up) as well as the first 5 months free (the graph shows 6 months free) because it says it will be spending over a million to build out the space. Essentially this means that Longboats will not be paying any rent to the City for possibly the first year or longer. They also have requested a waiver of the security deposit until year 5 in recognition of their investment and have asked for only one rental increase during the ten year term.
Tonight the city commission votes to execute the leases for:
Johnny Longboats, Lake Worth Beach, LLP.
Kilwin’s Chocolate and Ice Cream.
Fox Surf and Beach Shop.
Mama Mia’s on the Beach.
Note: It was stated at last night's meeting on beach leases (Oct 19) that the November 2013 date was wrong. The Casino is expected to be built by October 2012.
Casino Leases to be voted Upon Tonight
Comment Up
Barry Freedman
B.F. Enterprises (LW Beach T-Shirt Co.)
Everyone at City Hall wants to forget that this is our beach; this is our Casino. None of them care diddly what we think or what we want. Just bringing up silly and wasteful expenditures such as a wind turbine goes on death ears. In fact, we are put down for not being forward thinking.
Tonight at 6pm at City Hall, the Commission has a special meeting to approve leases at our Casino and from the back-up, it certainly appears that City Hall will put the screws to our long time merchants, those who helped make our Casino great for nearly 3 decades.
During the past two weeks, leases were prepared and submitted to each prospective tenant for their review, modification and approval. All prospective tenants were given the same boilerplate lease and permitted to request revisions. As of October 14, 2011, the City had received executed leases from Kilwins, Lake Worth Beach Tee Shirt Co., NYPD Pizza, Mama Mia’s on the Beach and Lake Worth Pizza Department, and is finalizing lease terms with Fox Surf and Beach Shop and Johnny Longboats.
It was only a few months ago on August 4 that the commission, with McVoy absent, voted on essentially keeping NYPD and LW Tee at our Casino when they accepted the L.I's. Suzanne Mulvehill made a motion, seconded by Golden to accept the Letter of Intent from NYPD Pizza and the owner was so happy. Afterall, he had been a tenant of our Casino for 25 years just like the T-Shirt company. Another motion was made by Maxwell, seconded by Mulvehill, to accept the Letter of Intent from BF Enterprises (LW Tee) and have them work out their non-compete merchandise mix with Fox Surf. Also there was a request for casino business hours to be established within the months of September or October. The present closing time is 10pm.
Now I ask you, why would we prepare a Lease allowing Johnny Longboats a 2am closing? Is that a "boilerplate" lease? Are we that scared that we might not find a major tenant that we have to once again cave into someone's demand and do it the way they want it rather than the other way around? 2am closing is outrageous, not to even mention the cost of security and electricity that you, the taxpayer, will have to pay to have Longboats sell booze and play raucous music to 2am. At least the nearby residents and the turtles (we can't even pay for the lighting) will think it at least annoying.
The most disappointing thing is the non-renewal of our long time tenants, NYPD Pizza and Lake Worth Beach Tee Shirt Company. Barry Freedman, owner of LW Tee wanted the exclusive rights to sell name drop apparel. Fox Surf and Beach Shop wanted the same exclusivity. Other pizza shops wanted to come to our beach. What do do? The real estate broker did a credit check and our long-time tenants didn't pass their muster, not to mention that they will be making much more money in commissions on new tenants instead of leasing to the old.
Because the city manager is absolutely paranoid that this building might not pay for itself, she wants what she considers top notch tenants at the beach casino who have never been late on a rental payment. Loyalty to our long time tenants has been thrown out the window by this proposal in front of the commission tonight.
There is no such thing as loyalty in Lake Worth, not to our merchants and not to the people. The Mayor was concerned about "fairness" at the time we originally talked about the leases. The City's idea of "fairness" is not mine. I would suspect that NYPD Pizza and LW Tee would agree.
Barry FreedmanB.F. Enterprises (LW Beach T-Shirt Co.)
Everyone at City Hall wants to forget that this is our beach; this is our Casino. None of them care diddly what we think or what we want. Just bringing up silly and wasteful expenditures such as a wind turbine goes on death ears. In fact, we are put down for not being forward thinking.
Tonight at 6pm at City Hall, the Commission has a special meeting to approve leases at our Casino and from the back-up, it certainly appears that City Hall will put the screws to our long time merchants, those who helped make our Casino great for nearly 3 decades.
During the past two weeks, leases were prepared and submitted to each prospective tenant for their review, modification and approval. All prospective tenants were given the same boilerplate lease and permitted to request revisions. As of October 14, 2011, the City had received executed leases from Kilwins, Lake Worth Beach Tee Shirt Co., NYPD Pizza, Mama Mia’s on the Beach and Lake Worth Pizza Department, and is finalizing lease terms with Fox Surf and Beach Shop and Johnny Longboats.
It was only a few months ago on August 4 that the commission, with McVoy absent, voted on essentially keeping NYPD and LW Tee at our Casino when they accepted the L.I's. Suzanne Mulvehill made a motion, seconded by Golden to accept the Letter of Intent from NYPD Pizza and the owner was so happy. Afterall, he had been a tenant of our Casino for 25 years just like the T-Shirt company. Another motion was made by Maxwell, seconded by Mulvehill, to accept the Letter of Intent from BF Enterprises (LW Tee) and have them work out their non-compete merchandise mix with Fox Surf. Also there was a request for casino business hours to be established within the months of September or October. The present closing time is 10pm.
Now I ask you, why would we prepare a Lease allowing Johnny Longboats a 2am closing? Is that a "boilerplate" lease? Are we that scared that we might not find a major tenant that we have to once again cave into someone's demand and do it the way they want it rather than the other way around? 2am closing is outrageous, not to even mention the cost of security and electricity that you, the taxpayer, will have to pay to have Longboats sell booze and play raucous music to 2am. At least the nearby residents and the turtles (we can't even pay for the lighting) will think it at least annoying.
The most disappointing thing is the non-renewal of our long time tenants, NYPD Pizza and Lake Worth Beach Tee Shirt Company. Barry Freedman, owner of LW Tee wanted the exclusive rights to sell name drop apparel. Fox Surf and Beach Shop wanted the same exclusivity. Other pizza shops wanted to come to our beach. What do do? The real estate broker did a credit check and our long-time tenants didn't pass their muster, not to mention that they will be making much more money in commissions on new tenants instead of leasing to the old.
Because the city manager is absolutely paranoid that this building might not pay for itself, she wants what she considers top notch tenants at the beach casino who have never been late on a rental payment. Loyalty to our long time tenants has been thrown out the window by this proposal in front of the commission tonight.
There is no such thing as loyalty in Lake Worth, not to our merchants and not to the people. The Mayor was concerned about "fairness" at the time we originally talked about the leases. The City's idea of "fairness" is not mine. I would suspect that NYPD Pizza and LW Tee would agree.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Commission Workshop on October 11
Comment Up
The Commission Workshop beginning on Tuesday at 9am will discuss the following "housekeeping" items:
1. Length of commission meetings
2. Nine Charter Amendments to be discussed some of which are: Term of office; run-off elections; salaries; and the sale of our beach property only by Referendum.
It is unbelievable that the city manager is pushing for discussion of these Charter Amendments. It may be good practice to review the Charter but not change the will of the people every time it is inconvenient. You have to ask yourself who will gain from any change? Securing longer terms for a commission that votes in lockstep with the city manager's goals is certainly advantageous. Longer terms are then desirable. Does Johnny Longboats want a 40 year lease or something? I'm not sure that I want that restaurant at all.
Back in 2004, Save The Waterfront and Town did a ballot initiative that won with over 80% of the vote to save our public land from being sold unless there was a vote of the people. In 2005 they were behind the charter amendment to disallow any lease that was for 20 years or more.
The City Manager says it is good to bring charter amendments up for discussion every ten years for housekeeping and to address areas of concern. Well, again, that's her opinion. All of these amendments that are up for discussion are less than ten years in effect, some not even four years on the books.
The deadline to bring forth a ballot initiative is past for this election cycle. So, why bother even wasting a day discussing this?
The Commission Workshop beginning on Tuesday at 9am will discuss the following "housekeeping" items:1. Length of commission meetings
2. Nine Charter Amendments to be discussed some of which are: Term of office; run-off elections; salaries; and the sale of our beach property only by Referendum.
It is unbelievable that the city manager is pushing for discussion of these Charter Amendments. It may be good practice to review the Charter but not change the will of the people every time it is inconvenient. You have to ask yourself who will gain from any change? Securing longer terms for a commission that votes in lockstep with the city manager's goals is certainly advantageous. Longer terms are then desirable. Does Johnny Longboats want a 40 year lease or something? I'm not sure that I want that restaurant at all.
Back in 2004, Save The Waterfront and Town did a ballot initiative that won with over 80% of the vote to save our public land from being sold unless there was a vote of the people. In 2005 they were behind the charter amendment to disallow any lease that was for 20 years or more.
The City Manager says it is good to bring charter amendments up for discussion every ten years for housekeeping and to address areas of concern. Well, again, that's her opinion. All of these amendments that are up for discussion are less than ten years in effect, some not even four years on the books.
The deadline to bring forth a ballot initiative is past for this election cycle. So, why bother even wasting a day discussing this?
Saturday, September 24, 2011
The Chain of Command - Lake Worth
Comment Up
We all know that we have been in trouble for a very long time. We hired Susan Stanton to fix it all. We expected her to be a miracle worker. In some respects she has done very well. She works her "azz" off. She is our CEO in all of this turmoil to lead us out of the hole, however, the confusion and agitation seem to be rolling down hill like a snowball to hell. There is no doubt in my mind that she is highly capable, highly qualified. But--have we expected too much in the 29 months she has been here?
She has terminated employees whose contributions were not up to her expectations. I found out a few weeks ago that Gina Baker took a "voluntary lay-off." She recently "terminated" our IT guy who has been with us forever and has terminated others who were well thought of. Stanton has re-organized and has hired some good people but those who want to hang on have to play in her ball field with her rules. She has decreased departmental budgets. She has negotiated contracts with the PBSO and the IBEW. She has managed to get us into new law suits, numbers in the 3 digits I have been told.
Are our employees allowed to be thinking people? Are they the types to say "No, city manager, doing it this way would be better...perhaps Johnny Longboats is not the best for our Casino." Maybe the residents do not want the beach to stay opened well into the morning hours causing noise, more expense in public safety, turtle lighting for $2 million. Instead of those under the chain of command finding ways to justify what the CM wants, are there better choices and decisions for our city that they are afraid to mention? I worry about that.
When money is spent, the City Commission rarely asks questions. We sit and listen to the lip service right out of that weekly private one-on-one. During the Finance Advisory Board meeting last week we found out that the city paid for Compass' air conditioning to the tune of $250,000. Did that ever come before the Commission? What was the justification other than the city manager's belief that we should pay for any and all costs relative to our property.
Cara Jennings stated on April 7, 2009 that, "I liked my interview with Ms. Stanton and that she was willing to build a team...that she had a horizontal style of management instead of a chain of command." I have no idea what that means. I was there for the interview and was highly impressed. Stanton has built a team of managers who know who the boss is. I worry about independent thinking--Is it being suppressed? Do we have a bunch of "yes" men? I am sure that they all have on their kid gloves when expressing their ideas. However, the chain of command is evident and Stanton is at the top of that chain. Nothing happens without her knowledge. We have seen what has occurred when she allowed a few managers to do their own thing--Bryant Park parking lot disasters and Union deals. William Waters, the new Community Development Director, will have leeway as new departments are organized, with 6 new departments and 4 new employees. Perhaps he will be a special exception, probably not.
Right now the CM is increasing taxes and special assessments on all of us in order to have a cushion going forward to make up for all the missing millions and to meet these expenditures that have been allocated in her budget. Millions have been spent over the past few years and no one can tell us where. Was it on all the law suits? Was it the black hole at the utility? Ask one Commissioner where the Cash reserves went and see what they tell you. With more public meetings under this city manager than any in the history of Lake Worth, it just seems that the City is less transparent and that the public is out of the loop. No one really knows what's going on.
Our public commentary has been reduced to 2 minutes and what we say is no longer recorded in the Minutes. Does that tell you anything about this management style? Because of the way the citizenry has been treated, it is now an easy thing to do to be curt from those who speak from the dais to actually throwing one of us out of the chamber. We are talked down to. They go over and over their propaganda like we are total jerks. It is a constant Dog and Pony Show and the only ones falling for it are the commissioners. I thought that we were the bosses.
On Tuesday we had 2 minutes to tell the City just what we thought about them grabbing our cash for what the city tells us is for a pension that is out of control--a one way trip to the moon.
We all know that since the line item for pension costs was eliminated that this money just gets thrown into the pot. Why hasn't the commission insisted that the city manager have a line item and pay this expense just like the city always did in the past prior to Stanton? Commissioner Maxwell brought it up for this special assessment. There is nothing "special about it other than it is a con on the taxpayers. Why haven't they insisted that we stay within a reasonable budget and reduce the spending...delay some capital improvement projects? They did not listen nor did they care. This is no way to run a "business."
We all know that we have been in trouble for a very long time. We hired Susan Stanton to fix it all. We expected her to be a miracle worker. In some respects she has done very well. She works her "azz" off. She is our CEO in all of this turmoil to lead us out of the hole, however, the confusion and agitation seem to be rolling down hill like a snowball to hell. There is no doubt in my mind that she is highly capable, highly qualified. But--have we expected too much in the 29 months she has been here?
She has terminated employees whose contributions were not up to her expectations. I found out a few weeks ago that Gina Baker took a "voluntary lay-off." She recently "terminated" our IT guy who has been with us forever and has terminated others who were well thought of. Stanton has re-organized and has hired some good people but those who want to hang on have to play in her ball field with her rules. She has decreased departmental budgets. She has negotiated contracts with the PBSO and the IBEW. She has managed to get us into new law suits, numbers in the 3 digits I have been told.
Are our employees allowed to be thinking people? Are they the types to say "No, city manager, doing it this way would be better...perhaps Johnny Longboats is not the best for our Casino." Maybe the residents do not want the beach to stay opened well into the morning hours causing noise, more expense in public safety, turtle lighting for $2 million. Instead of those under the chain of command finding ways to justify what the CM wants, are there better choices and decisions for our city that they are afraid to mention? I worry about that.
When money is spent, the City Commission rarely asks questions. We sit and listen to the lip service right out of that weekly private one-on-one. During the Finance Advisory Board meeting last week we found out that the city paid for Compass' air conditioning to the tune of $250,000. Did that ever come before the Commission? What was the justification other than the city manager's belief that we should pay for any and all costs relative to our property.
Cara Jennings stated on April 7, 2009 that, "I liked my interview with Ms. Stanton and that she was willing to build a team...that she had a horizontal style of management instead of a chain of command." I have no idea what that means. I was there for the interview and was highly impressed. Stanton has built a team of managers who know who the boss is. I worry about independent thinking--Is it being suppressed? Do we have a bunch of "yes" men? I am sure that they all have on their kid gloves when expressing their ideas. However, the chain of command is evident and Stanton is at the top of that chain. Nothing happens without her knowledge. We have seen what has occurred when she allowed a few managers to do their own thing--Bryant Park parking lot disasters and Union deals. William Waters, the new Community Development Director, will have leeway as new departments are organized, with 6 new departments and 4 new employees. Perhaps he will be a special exception, probably not.
Right now the CM is increasing taxes and special assessments on all of us in order to have a cushion going forward to make up for all the missing millions and to meet these expenditures that have been allocated in her budget. Millions have been spent over the past few years and no one can tell us where. Was it on all the law suits? Was it the black hole at the utility? Ask one Commissioner where the Cash reserves went and see what they tell you. With more public meetings under this city manager than any in the history of Lake Worth, it just seems that the City is less transparent and that the public is out of the loop. No one really knows what's going on.
Our public commentary has been reduced to 2 minutes and what we say is no longer recorded in the Minutes. Does that tell you anything about this management style? Because of the way the citizenry has been treated, it is now an easy thing to do to be curt from those who speak from the dais to actually throwing one of us out of the chamber. We are talked down to. They go over and over their propaganda like we are total jerks. It is a constant Dog and Pony Show and the only ones falling for it are the commissioners. I thought that we were the bosses.
On Tuesday we had 2 minutes to tell the City just what we thought about them grabbing our cash for what the city tells us is for a pension that is out of control--a one way trip to the moon.
We all know that since the line item for pension costs was eliminated that this money just gets thrown into the pot. Why hasn't the commission insisted that the city manager have a line item and pay this expense just like the city always did in the past prior to Stanton? Commissioner Maxwell brought it up for this special assessment. There is nothing "special about it other than it is a con on the taxpayers. Why haven't they insisted that we stay within a reasonable budget and reduce the spending...delay some capital improvement projects? They did not listen nor did they care. This is no way to run a "business."
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Loggerhead Turtles and the Lake Worth Beach
Comment Up
When Irene passed by us this Hurricane Season, we lucked out but it managed to wipe away all the turtle nests on our beach. All of us who are environmentally conscientious and care, are going through discussions about turtle lighting at the Lake Worth beach. For some reason, turtle lighting was overlooked on the beach re-development plan. How could that be? Those we hired now want $2 to $3 million dollars more and the city manager wants to give the very guy, Michael Singer, a Contract, who has worked on a volunteer basis after his initial fee and was the one who designed the beach redevelopment plan without the proper turtle lighting.
The Loggerhead has been listed as a threatened species for over 30 years. It's classification has now been reviewed by the NOAA and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have now listed it as "endangered."
We must get this turtle lighting straightened out. Apparently the reason why it was missed is the fact that the City did not consider that another tenant in the Casino might want later hours as John G's was always breakfast and lunch. It just never dawned on anyone that John G's would get fed up and leave town. The City told them that they would not help with the build-out, that it was their expense. Then what happens after they pull out?... Staff changes the rules and we ARE paying for part of the build-outs. This was NOT part of the original Plan but the City in all its fear of not getting tenants, changed the rules unbeknown to the public or to the City Commission. We all learned about it one day at a workshop--vanilla and black boxes, whatever in the hell it all meant. The Commission just went along. The self-serving Realtor even made a statement in the PBPost that we should help in the build-out. Who in the heck asked him for his opinion? We will pay this guy a commission for our own tenants to come back and lease. We do the dumbest things.
The solution could be to limit evening hours or perhaps find that national chain restaurant that would pay for the lighting. Or, kick them all off our beach not allowing them to dig one hole, and find someone who will work within our parameters for $5 million. We don't need to spend one dime moving parking lots around and losing all that upper level as well as decal parking a Cara Jennings and Rene Varela idea.
P.S. I was at John G's for lunch yesterday at their new location in Manalapan. Here is a business that was with us for 37 years and we kicked them to the curb giving a total stranger, Johnny Longboats, a better deal than was offered to them. Not a nice thing to do to friends. And you wonder why people don't want to come to Lake Worth.
When Irene passed by us this Hurricane Season, we lucked out but it managed to wipe away all the turtle nests on our beach. All of us who are environmentally conscientious and care, are going through discussions about turtle lighting at the Lake Worth beach. For some reason, turtle lighting was overlooked on the beach re-development plan. How could that be? Those we hired now want $2 to $3 million dollars more and the city manager wants to give the very guy, Michael Singer, a Contract, who has worked on a volunteer basis after his initial fee and was the one who designed the beach redevelopment plan without the proper turtle lighting.
The Loggerhead has been listed as a threatened species for over 30 years. It's classification has now been reviewed by the NOAA and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have now listed it as "endangered."
We must get this turtle lighting straightened out. Apparently the reason why it was missed is the fact that the City did not consider that another tenant in the Casino might want later hours as John G's was always breakfast and lunch. It just never dawned on anyone that John G's would get fed up and leave town. The City told them that they would not help with the build-out, that it was their expense. Then what happens after they pull out?... Staff changes the rules and we ARE paying for part of the build-outs. This was NOT part of the original Plan but the City in all its fear of not getting tenants, changed the rules unbeknown to the public or to the City Commission. We all learned about it one day at a workshop--vanilla and black boxes, whatever in the hell it all meant. The Commission just went along. The self-serving Realtor even made a statement in the PBPost that we should help in the build-out. Who in the heck asked him for his opinion? We will pay this guy a commission for our own tenants to come back and lease. We do the dumbest things.
The solution could be to limit evening hours or perhaps find that national chain restaurant that would pay for the lighting. Or, kick them all off our beach not allowing them to dig one hole, and find someone who will work within our parameters for $5 million. We don't need to spend one dime moving parking lots around and losing all that upper level as well as decal parking a Cara Jennings and Rene Varela idea.
P.S. I was at John G's for lunch yesterday at their new location in Manalapan. Here is a business that was with us for 37 years and we kicked them to the curb giving a total stranger, Johnny Longboats, a better deal than was offered to them. Not a nice thing to do to friends. And you wonder why people don't want to come to Lake Worth.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Casino Anchor
Comment Up
Just talked to a citizen yesterday who asked me if I had ever been to Johnny Longboats. I said, "no," I hadn't, but wanted to check them out. His report was not very good. He wondered about the rush to approve this tenant and why we had no choices, something we all have wondered about. Both the broker and the City believe they have performed for us.
We also got the impression on August 4 when this decision was made to accept the LOI from Johnny Longboats, that no one from Staff or the Commission had been there to get an understanding of what they were bringing into our city for 10 to 20 years minus one day. You have to wonder how anyone can make a decision committing the City of Lake Worth without even having dined there. You don't buy a house without inspecting the property. How is this different?
When you think of John G's and why it was so successful, it was all about the quality of food, great service and a restaurant that treated everyone like family. We watched those kids grow up with their Dad, John, to carry on the tradition of all the things that make a business withstand time. We feel that way about all of our merchants that have been at our Casino.
Understanding management's need to have an anchor committed to the space, Anderson & Carr must be told to keep looking and allow the broker, Mr. Snitkin, to seek a national chain(s) at this point. We need a back-up should this fall through. Afterall, it is only a Letter of Intent. A letter of intent or LOI, according to Wikipedia, is a document outlining an agreement between two or more parties before the agreement is finalized. LOI's resemble written contracts, but are usually not binding on the parties in their entirety. When checking on the LOI, it was not a part of the back-up on-line so I don't know what aspects of it are binding, if any.
The economy is tanking. This could not be a worse time for anyone to think about opening a business. But the positive here is by the time the casino is finished, we should be out of this new recession that looms on the horizon.
Just talked to a citizen yesterday who asked me if I had ever been to Johnny Longboats. I said, "no," I hadn't, but wanted to check them out. His report was not very good. He wondered about the rush to approve this tenant and why we had no choices, something we all have wondered about. Both the broker and the City believe they have performed for us.
We also got the impression on August 4 when this decision was made to accept the LOI from Johnny Longboats, that no one from Staff or the Commission had been there to get an understanding of what they were bringing into our city for 10 to 20 years minus one day. You have to wonder how anyone can make a decision committing the City of Lake Worth without even having dined there. You don't buy a house without inspecting the property. How is this different?
When you think of John G's and why it was so successful, it was all about the quality of food, great service and a restaurant that treated everyone like family. We watched those kids grow up with their Dad, John, to carry on the tradition of all the things that make a business withstand time. We feel that way about all of our merchants that have been at our Casino.
Understanding management's need to have an anchor committed to the space, Anderson & Carr must be told to keep looking and allow the broker, Mr. Snitkin, to seek a national chain(s) at this point. We need a back-up should this fall through. Afterall, it is only a Letter of Intent. A letter of intent or LOI, according to Wikipedia, is a document outlining an agreement between two or more parties before the agreement is finalized. LOI's resemble written contracts, but are usually not binding on the parties in their entirety. When checking on the LOI, it was not a part of the back-up on-line so I don't know what aspects of it are binding, if any.
The economy is tanking. This could not be a worse time for anyone to think about opening a business. But the positive here is by the time the casino is finished, we should be out of this new recession that looms on the horizon.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Johnny Longboats - Read the Reviews
Comment Up
Last night Laurence McNamara mentioned the reviews for Johnny Longboats. Read them for yourself.
Last night Laurence McNamara mentioned the reviews for Johnny Longboats. Read them for yourself.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)