West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James wants to install a second executive with ties to the city’s largest developer on the board of a city agency, a move that is drawing opposition from a downtown neighborhood group.
The West Palm Beach Downtown Neighborhood Association, which represents the city’s thousands of downtown residents, wrote a letter protesting the move to add a second employee with connections to Related Ross to the board of the Downtown Development Authority.
Association President Sitima Fowler wrote that placing Related Ross Executive Vice President Jordan Rathlev on the DDA’s board would leave just one downtown resident on the seven-member board.
If approved by city commissioners, the move also could give the city’s most powerful developer increased influence over the agency at a time of growing scrutiny of the company’s development plans.
“Our concern is not about the qualifications of any individual candidate but rather about representation and public confidence,” Fowler wrote in a June 11 letter to commissioners, a copy of which was obtained by The Palm Beach Post. “With this appointment, only one downtown resident would remain on the DDA Board despite downtown residents contributing a significant portion of the tax revenue that funds the DDA.”
“We are also concerned about the optics of adding a second Related Ross executive to the board at a time when residents are actively engaged in discussions regarding the future of downtown and the waterfront,” she added.
Fowler declined to comment beyond the letter.
The DDA is a special taxing agency whose purpose is to support and enhance the city’s downtown. With its $11 million annual operating budget it provides extra security, maintenance and marketing for the downtown area.
The board does not include any other Related Ross employees, but it does include Bernardo Neto, general manager of The Ben hotel, which Related Ross acquired in February.
Though Related Ross owns the hotel, Neto is an employee of the hotel operator, Marriott International.
In a statement, James called Rathlev “well-qualified to help guide the future of Downtown West Palm Beach,” and he pointed out that Neto joined the board before Related Ross acquired the hotel. He suggested that he would consider appointing other downtown residents to the board in the future.
“The DDA continues to include resident representation, and there will be opportunities for additional residents to serve through future appointments,” he said.
A Related Ross spokesperson said Rathlev’s application to serve on the board was “driven by his genuine commitment to a safe and vibrant downtown.”
“We respect the DNA’s perspective and appreciate the important role the DDA’s organization plays in shaping the future of downtown West Palm Beach,” Maura Daves, the company’s vice president of corporate communications, said in a prepared statement. “He is willing to serve if it is what ultimately the commission decides is the right direction for the DDA board.”
Related Ross’ close collaborative relationship with city leaders has come under increased public scrutiny since the revelation in April that Mayor Keith James was working with Related Ross owner Stephen Ross on a plan to close a stretch of Flagler Drive downtown and build a waterfront park.
As part of their plan, James pressured the owners of E.R. Bradley’s Saloon, a prominent waterfront restaurant, to sell their property to Related Ross, with the mayor at one point invoking the prospect of eminent domain to seize the property without their consent.
James paused the plan after it was revealed in The Post, but it led to widespread questions about the extent of Related Ross’ influence in city decisions.
James’ proposal to install installing Rathlev on the board would remove DDA board member Timothy Harris, a Realtor and downtown resident. Harris did not respond to a request for comment.
The proposed appointment is on the agenda of the City Commission’s June 22 meeting.
Andrew Marra is a reporter at The Palm Beach Post. Reach him at amarra@pbpost.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Move to put Related Ross exec on West Palm board prompts outcry
Reporting by Andrew Marra, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
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By Andrew Marra, Palm Beach Post | USA TODAY Network
