Alaska Oil Lease Sales

Trump Administration’s Alaska Oil Lease Sale Generates $163 Million

Signals Energy Boom and Native Support

For four long years, the Biden administration strangled American energy production — and every household in the country felt the squeeze. Regulation after regulation choked off domestic oil and gas, sending fuel costs skyward while Washington delivered smug lectures about climate goals most Americans never asked for.

Heating bills ballooned. Gas prices gnawed at family budgets. And the communities most dependent on resource development — many of them indigenous — watched their livelihoods get torched in the name of green orthodoxy.

But something big just happened. Really big.

From Just the News:

The Department of Interior held an oil and gas lease sale this week for the National Petroleum Reserve Alaska (NPR-A). It was by every measure a huge success. The sale resulted in 187 leases and generated $163 million.

The sale brought in some of the big players in oil and gas, including Shell, Exxon, and ConocoPhillips. It signaled a lot of interest from the industry in oil and gas development on Alaska’s North Slope. It was a big win for Trump’s unleashing American energy policy, but it’s also a win for the North Slope Iñupiat Alaska natives.

Let that sink in. When the biggest names in global energy put $163 million on the table in a single sale, they aren’t dabbling. They’re making a serious bet on America’s energy future. And frankly, it’s about time.

See why this matters...

Biden loses in Appeals Court

US Appeals Court Orders Biden Admin to Conduct Gulf Oil, Gas Auction Within 37 Days

The Biden administration sought to restrict the offshore oil and gas lease sales.

A federal appeals court in New Orleans gave the Biden administration 37 days to move forward with the sale of oil and gas leases in the Gulf of Mexico, dismissing challenges from environmental groups in a ruling on Tuesday.

The decision comes after a series of legal battles, primarily citing concerns over endangered whale species.

The three-judge panel of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the attempts by environmental groups to block the leases, which had been delayed due to legal challenges related to whale protections.

Read more...

Biden's Decisions keep America in Decline

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), an arm of the Interior Department responsible for offshore energy development, has scaled back Lease Sale 261 in the Gulf of Mexico, scheduled for late September. This comes as the final planned federal oil and gas sale, and its impact is raising concerns within the energy industry.

The decision has drawn sharp criticism from industry leaders. Erik Milito, President of the National Ocean Industries Association, expressed concern over the exclusion of extensive and promising acreage that could potentially contribute to energy production.

The reduction in acreage could be detrimental, especially given the current economic climate with rising inflation affecting Americans’ costs, including gasoline prices. BOEM’s move is seen as a setback to America’s energy production capabilities, and industry voices argue that it goes against the country’s energy security needs. [steadfastdaily]

Benny's on the Beach Lease Saga

Commissioner who voted against Benny's on the Beach lease renewal 'open to continued negotiations'

We’re now hearing from the owner of Benny’s on the Beach as well as city leaders about Lake Worth Beach’s iconic restaurant on the pier, which had its lease renewal rejected by the city commission last Tuesday.

City leaders say negations are ongoing as the beloved restaurant continues to work to secure a new lease, with its current one set to expire in about a month.

Both the owner of Benny's on the Beach and the mayor of Lake Worth Beach said they were surprised and three commissioners voted against lease renewal at last Tuesday’s commission meeting. One of those commissioners tells WPBF 25 News he is open to further negotiations.

Guess who it is?

Read why McVoy voted "no"

One of the three who voted "no" must bring it back for discussion and vote.

Benny's on the Beach

Benny’s owner threatens to leave Lake Worth Beach over rent fight: ‘We don’t deserve to be evicted.

THE OWNER OF Benny’s on the Beach, the popular oceanfront restaurant in Lake Worth Beach, is threatening to leave over the City Commission’s plans to dramatically raise the eatery’s rental rates.

“If you vote no, you know that's the end for me," an emotional Lee Lipton told commissioners Tuesday night before they voted 3-2 against renewing the lease. "I'm not renegotiating the lease at this point. I have given $1.2 million. Just evict us and that's it, or let us stay because I'm telling you that's it. I’ve had enough."

The $1.2 million Lipton was referring to was the amount of money he’d agreed to pay over the next 10 years after several rounds of negotiations with city officials on a new lease for Benny’s, which employs 200 people at the Lake Worth Beach pier.

The new rates would represent the first increases since 2013 for Benny’s, which currently pays about $21,000 a month under a lease that expires in one month. In general, the new rates over the next 10 years would start at $25,000 a month and rise to $33,000 a month.

Read detailed article by Joe Capozzi

This lease was negotiated over six months and McVoy, Stokes and Diaz blew it all to hell.

Three Lake Worth Commissioners want to be "greedy"landlords

Three commissioners turned down the Lease for Benny's on the Beach

Concerned with ridiculous things

Top citizen speaker for the night: Peggy Fisher

This has to be the most stupid decision this commission or any commission has ever made.

As seen on Nextdoor: 3 of 5 commissioners just voted to evict Benny's on the Beach this evening. 200 people will be out of their jobs soon, the city will be out $250k/year, and the pier will sit vacant for years.

Congratulations to...
Christopher McVoy, District 2
Kim Stokes, District 3
Reinaldo Diaz, District 4
... for killing a small business.

Our city attorney recommended a 6 months extension on the lease. The Three commissioners did not listen...did not want to negotiate further.
Lee Lipton, owner, says evict us, I am not re-negotiating the Lease.

This amendment authorizes RTT - Benny's on the Beach, Inc., to extend its lease located at the Lake Worth Municipal Ocean Pier and provides for increases in rent during the extension.

BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION:
On February 11, 2013, the City entered into a Lease agreement with RTT - Benny's on the Beach, Inc.,for the lease of certain space located at the Lake Worth Municipal Ocean Pier for use as a restaurant and a bait shop. The lease allowed for ten (10) years with the option of renewing initially for an additional eight years. After the initial renewal the lease allows for one additional renewal for twenty-three (23)months.On August 5, 2015, the City and Tenant entered into the First Amendment of the Lease to address the use of additional outdoor patio area.

On May 19, 2020, the City and Tenant entered into the Second Amendment to the Lease to revise certain terms and conditions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

On February 21, 2023, the City Commission approved a 90-day extension to the Third Amendment at the new lease terms (2% increase in rent) to allow for further negotiations of the proposed lease.

The Fourth Amendment will extend RTT - Benny's on the Beach, Inc., lease at the Lake Worth Municipal Pier for the full nine (9) years and eleven (11) months authorized under the Lease (i.e., eight (8) year “Initial Extension” option and 23 months “Second Extension” option). The amendment provides for an increase in rent beginning April 19, 2023 wherein the Tenant will pay $42.00 per square foot for the Premises and $15.30 per square foot for the Patio Area. This rent will increase during the second year of the extension, beginning on February 11, 2024 wherein the Tenant will pay $44.00 per square foot for the Premises and $15.30 for the Patio Area. For the remaining 3-9 years and 11 months of the extension, the rent for the Premises and the Patio Area will increase annually by 3.5 percent beginning on February 11th of each year.

See Channel 12 News

Lease Sale 257 is reinstated and high bidders must get their lease

Biden Revives Biggest Offshore Oil, Gas Lease Sale in US History

Has anyone heard about this on the mainstream news? NO? It's because no one knew what the hell is in the bill.

When President Joe Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law on Aug. 16, his signature opened the door to reinstating the largest oil and gas lease sale in U.S. history, which had been blocked by a court because of climate impact concerns.

The legislation contains a provision that reinstates the previously halted Lease Sale 257, the biggest offshore oil and gas lease in U.S. history, spanning nearly 81 million acres in the Gulf of Mexico.

Lease Sale 257, which sold at auction for $192 million in March 2019, was challenged by environmental groups, which argued that the sale violated federal law by relying on an inadequate environmental impact review that failed to accurately consider greenhouse gas emissions.

The law requires the government to reinstate $192 million in leases in the Gulf of Mexico that were blocked by another court ruling last year. And it requires two more sales in the Gulf and one in Alaska before October 2023. Those sales had been canceled under Biden. The provision reviving them was inserted into the law at the insistence of West Virginia Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin, an advocate for fossil fuels.
Read about it...

Tonight's Special City of Lake Worth Commission Meeting

AGENDA CITY OF LAKE WORTH BEACH

SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING
CITY HALL COMMISSION CHAMBER
THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2022 - 7:00 PM

NEW BUSINESS:
A. Resolution No. 51-2022 - Fund Appropriation for Bohemian Lease Agreement, Ordinance No. 2020-08 - Establishment of a mixed use urban planned development for The Bohemian

The City is leasing 120 parking spaces on a 35 year lease with two options to renew. We pay insurance.

Click to read--

City Manager wants to change our Charter - Part II

TONIGHT

With five issues up for discussion to possibly place on the ballot, this one really galls me--Benny's.

Charter Revision regarding Lease Term - Benny's, Beach Park, City at Large.

It is disappointing that there is no backup on the five issues they will discuss tonight. You would think there would be considering the importance of all five.  Agenda

Omari Hardy has suggested, more than once, that we have a referendum to give the owner of Benny's a 99 year lease on our Pier property. This is what this city does when it can't/won't maintain anything...you find a public/private partnership or another clever way to give up an asset. And this city is smart enough to know putting it on the ballot has a good chance of passing because that is the typical voter in this city.

Essentially a 99 year lease means turning over our valuable pier property to Benny's on the Beach, Inc. The last lease I have shows they are paying $20,000 a month to the city for ten years plus applicable taxes. Their Lease is up on February 13, 2023. Benny's has control of our Pier and can open or close it to the public based on a threat to public safety. They collect and keep all entrance fees to our Pier.

We all should be very interested to learn what the City has in mind as far as our assets especially our Pier and our Beach Park worth untold millions.

Benny's at the Beach is having a Labor Day Bash

Comment Up

And there is only one thing wrong with it--they are going to close down our fishing pier to fishermen from entering for one hour. The public, including fishermen, can enter for free during 2:30 - 3:30 but don't dare bring a fishing pole.

Their Lease with the City says that the only time they can close our pier (it is being closed to fishermen for that hour because they are being told they can not enter with a fishing pole) is if there is a threat to public safety including or not limited to weather related occurrences. The agreement can be amended by the city manager. Did the owner get this permission?

What's in a Name?

What's in a name?  Apparently not as much as we assumed.

Back on October 30, 2013, E.R. Bradley's Lagoon Saloon opened at our Lake Worth golf course. The city gave them concessions and negotiated kudos on their lease because of 1) the reputation of the owner's other restaurants being a success and 2) the overall reputation of the owners. We wanted to capitalize on their reputation and ability to attract customers to our property and have a successful restaurant there.

The Lease calls for $3,000 a month on a ten year lease (no escalation clause and no percentage of profits) that is renewable for an additional 10 years. The City of Lake Worth will be solely responsible for all utility fees and costs, including but not limited to: telephone, electricity, garbage removal, sewer and water service. I even tried to ascertain whether or not they vacuumed their own carpets and was told that they do but it is not specifically mentioned in the lease.

It's been reported that the ownership of the restaurant has changed hands from the Coniglio family, Frank, Gail and Nicholas, to the gentleman who was managing it, Mitch Reale. Mr. Reale will not confirm this to Lynn's Little bit of Trivia. State records show the new ownership. On February 16, 2015, I submitted a public information request on the change of ownership or assignment of the lease to determine what occurred. The city wrote back that they knew nothing about it. Subsequent to that, I wrote again regarding the subject because of any assignment of the lease must be approved by the city. City Attorney, Christy Goddeau, responded to me in two separate e-mails on February 24:

At this time, the assignment provision of the lease has not been triggered as the original tenant remains the same (E.R. Bradley’s Triple Crown Club LW, LLC d/b/a E.R. Bradley’s Lagoon Salon) which is now solely owned by Mitchell Reale per the Division of Corporation’s records. We have inquired about the use of the “Beach Club” name and its legal status.

It all depends on the assignment provision. In this lease, the assignment provision is not triggered if the tenant (as a legal entity) remains the same and only the ownership interest making up the legal entity changes.

So it seems that there was no protection to the City when a change of ownership occurred along with its most valuable asset, its goodwill.  The original owners of this corporation, the Coniglio's, could have sold it to the garbage man down the street holding itself out to the public that it was the exact same restaurant.  Now that there is a different owner of the corporation, is he required to fulfill all the provisions of the Lease or who is legally responsible? Will the city have Mr. Reale sign a new lease as by law the corporation is a person but it certainly can't sign anything?

How come that many of the contracts that the city enters into seem to have some problem or no protection to the city such as CBS Outdoor, Inc, Greater Bay, etc.. They both cost us dearly. We thought that was all going to change when the City outsourced its legal department and shamefully terminated Elaine Humphrey.

Quote of the Day - Shanon Materio

Comment Up
"It will take a lot of money to get Benzaiten up and running. If you walk into this kind of situation and are too thin financially, you won’t succeed, It’s one of those things that will take a while to kick in.”

~ Shanon Materio,
 a West Palm Beach city commissioner who owns McMow Art Glass in Lake Worth speaking about the Benzaiten Center, the old 10,000 s.f. FEC railway station building that was leased just 6 months ago from the City of Lake Worth for $1 a year for 20 years.

The amazing thing about Lake Worth is that it continues to "lease" out/give away our city owned property for $1 a year or negligible amounts and then they cry "poverty."

Read more...

And here's an example of another one where the city pays all the utilities. Click here

Steinhardt outstanding Balance to the City of Lake Worth

Comment Up

The following is a letter dated January 13, 2011 wherein it shows that the corporations involved in the "Steinhardt property" or in actuality the submerged Lake Worth leased property,  owe the city of Lake Worth $26,238.21 for the two submerged parcels of land under the Lease terms. All amounts owed will be written off by the city.
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Submerged Land in Lake Worth - Proposed Nature Preserve

Comment Up

The City of Lake Worth owns 13 acres of submerged land in the Intracoastal Waterway that has been referred to as the Steinhardt property although the Steinhardts never owned it.  They leased it from the City in 1967 and were given a 99 year lease in order to develop it.  Steinhardt wanted to build five, 10 story condos on three man-made islands. The city even applied for the permits on his behalf in order to push it along. And although the developer crowd still exists in Lake Worth today, this is one project that didn't get off the ground...errr, water. 

Nothing was done as they never could get the permits they desired.  There was a lot of hassle from government agencies. So, back in 2011, former commissioner Suzanne Mulvehill met with Palm Beach County officials to see about a grant-funded nature center. She put the bug in their ear and that's what's on the table today.

In June 2012, the corporation finally gave up its lease and said it wanted the property to be used as a conservation area. It was anticipated that Palm Beach County Environmental Resources Management would restore and manage the property with us waiving all fees and keep it as a passive park. We will take care of Public Safety.  Before anything is restored or constructed on the property, the County will submit plans and get approval from the City. The property will be opened to the public and the city will be responsible for the opening and closing of the preserve. The $1 dollar a year, 99 year lease agreement provides that the upland area will be reserved for future public amenities, including parking. Nothing is said in the Lease about revenue that could be generated from parking (land is across from the beach property) or admission.

The most ridiculous request and made a part of this proposed lease is that the Steinhardt family wants the property acknowledged with their name.  They never owned it.
The suggestion is to call it Steinhardt Cove.

Now, on Tuesday night under New Business C, the city will present this latest scheme that has been obviously under discussion for quite some time. This has to be voted upon by the residents and the city/county has devised another plan by allowing this lease for the first ten years and then going out on a Referendum that they must do by City law for any lease of Public property that is more than 20 years. By that time, the citizenry will be used to the nature preserve and vote it in. Also, the voters might have more trust in the local government regarding  elections in general.

Previous blog on this submerged property