Boards and Committees

Application to Serve on City Boards, Committees & Commissions:

The application will be used for considering an appointment to a City board, committee or commission.

Download the application for Adobe Acrobat (PDF)
The application in MS Word format

Please return your completed form to:
Office of the Mayor
PO Box 3366
West Palm Beach, FL 33402


Affordable Housing Advisory Committee

As a condition of receiving State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) funds, the City is required to adopt a Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP) and submit the Plan to the Florida Housing Finance Corporation for approval.  The LHAP is developed for a three-year period and sets forth the local strategies and criteria for administering the SHIP funds.  In accordance with statutory requirements, jurisdictions are required to establish an Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) for the purposes of evaluating and/ or identifying affordable and workforce housing incentive strategies. The key role of the Advisory Committee is to prepare the AHAC report and evaluate its implementation at least every three years. The AHAC report identifies incentive strategies and recommendations for implementation by the Mayor and City Commission. 

Section 420.9076 of the Florida Statutes outlines AHAC requirements, including the deadlines for assembling a committee, considering specific incentive strategies, and submitting a report. 
AHAC members no longer required to be appointed by resolution (unless required by local government Charter). 

The committee shall consist of at least eight (8), but no more than 11, members and must consist of one (1) representative from at least six (6) of the 11 categories. 

The term of office for each member is three (3) years

Contact:  Jennifer Ferriol at (561) 822-1250

Members of this board:

Andrew Velo-Arias
Cathleen Ward
Craig A. Glover
Jeremy D. Morse
Julian Cover
Suzanne Cabrera
Terri Murray
Thais R. Sullivan

Artlife WPB Committee

Meets: 1st Wednesday of each month at 4 p.m. in the Mayor's Board Room 2FL

Description: Advisory committee, comprised of seven (7) members and two (2) alternate members.

Purpose: Advises Mayor and City Commission on the acquisition, commissioning and maintenance of works of art in public places.

Contact: Sybille Welter at (561) 822-1521

Members of this Board:

Dack Patriatca
Elizabeth Martinez
Jamnea Finlayson
Jessica Ransom
Jill Paschal Harris
John Rawley
Leslie Xavier Francisco
Mabelys Melton
Tacara Chambers

Audit Committee

Meets: Once a quarter, on the 3rd Thursday of the month, at 9 a.m., in the Flagler Gallery.

Description: The Audit Committee is comprised of five (5) members and chaired by the President of the City Commission.

Purpose: It provides oversight and general direction to the internal audit function.

Contact: Beverly Mahaso at (561) 822-1380

Members of this Board:

Carolyn Williams-Smith
David Rosenstein
Shalonda Warren, City Commission President
Seth Lipson

Civil Service Board

Meets: 1st Wednesday of each month at 2 p.m. in Human Resources

Description: Comprised of five (5) members and one (1) alternate member

Purpose: Adopts and amends regulations for the selection, examination, qualification, registration, employment and promotion of employees and holds hearings on appeals of disciplinary actions and employee complaints

Contact: Jose Luis Rodriguez at (561) 494-1000

Members of this Board:

Bennett Evans Greene
Darlene Edic-Crawford
Janie O. Peters
Mavis Carroll-Emory
Ryan C. Booker

Community Redevelopment Agency

Meets: 1st Monday of each month in the Commission Chambers, generally at 4 p.m., depending on the size of the agenda.

Description: The West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency was created in 1985 and authorized by Florida's Community Redevelopment Act of 1969 (Florida Statutes 163, Part III), the initial Downtown CRA was joined by the Northwood/Pleasant City CRA in 1993, to guide the city in its redevelopment efforts.

Purpose: Develop and administer the Community Redevelopment Plan that addresses the unique needs of the targeted area.

Contact: Christopher Roog, at (561) 822-1550

Members of this Board:

Mayor Keith James
Commissioner Cathleen Ward
Commissioner Christina Lambert
Commissioner Christy Fox
Commissioner Joseph A. Peduzzi
Commissioner Shalonda Warren

Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Board

Meets: 4th Friday of the Month in the Community Room at Fire Station No. 5, 5050 Broadway at
8 a.m.

Description: Comprised of 11 members

Purpose: Liaison between the community within the Northwood / Pleasant City District boundaries and the West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board. Recommendations apply to the Northwood Village/Pleasant City/Broadway districts of the CRA. Study, review and provide recommendations, guidance and advice as to matters relevant to the purposes and goals of the West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency.

Contact: Christopher Roog, at (561) 822-1550

Members of this Board:

Alyassia Taylor
Angela Ogburn
John Carpenter
Michael Howe
Robin Galanti
T. Denise Williams
Thais R. Sullivan
William Meredith Holland, Jr.

Construction Board Of Adjustments & Appeals

Meets: 3rd Thursday of each month at 2 p.m. in the Commission Chambers

Description: Comprised of seven (7) members

Purpose: Reviews applications for contractor licenses to operate within the city and holds hearings for disciplinary action against such licenses. Hears appeals of decisions of the Building Official and considers variances of the technical codes

Contact: Robert Brown at (561) 805-6652

Members of this Board:

Daniel T. Caravan
Everett C. Fennell
Larry B. Rowe
Matthew Marks
Michael J. Stellino
Polly Daugherty

Criminal Justice Advisory Committee

Meets: 2nd Tuesday of each month at 8 a.m. in the Police Department's Community Room - 600 Banyan Blvd.

Description: Comprised of seven (7) members

Purpose: Advises on issues of crime prevention, law, enforcement deployment & community education in criminal justice matters.

Contact: Chief Frank Adderley at (561) 822-1613

Members of this Board:

Ashi Colina
Beverly Elliott Morrison
Clarence D. Williams, III
Ivory Paulk
Jay Nisberg
Kevin Harris
Leon M. Lipstick

Downtown Action Committee (DAC)

Meets: 2nd Wednesday of each month at 9 a.m., City Commission Chambers, City Hall

Description: Comprised of seven (7) members and two (2) alternate members

Purpose: Reviews all applications for appeals, variances and special use permits in the downtown master plan area and acts as the Zoning Board of Appeals for the downtown master plan area

Contact: Claudia Ibaven at (561) 822-1402

Members of this Board:

Bradley "Brad" McPherson
Brian Cheguis
Brian Laura, D. Arch.
Gregory Gabriel
Kim Do 
Michael Bakst 
Nicholas "Nick" Mihelich
Roger P. Janssen
Samuel Grace 

Downtown Development Authority (DDA)

Meets: 3rd Tuesday of each month at 8:30 a.m., 301 Clematis Street, Suite 200, DDA Board Room.

Description: Comprised of seven (7) members

Purpose: Serves in the rehabilitation and redevelopment of the downtown area.

Contact: Teneka James-Feaman, M.B.A., at (561) 833-8873

Members of this Board:

Bernardo Neto
Daryl Houston
Peter Cruise, Ph.D
Richard V. Reikenis
Robert Sanders
Samantha Bratter
Timothy K. Harris

Education Advisory Committee

Meets:  last Thursday each month at 5:30 p.m. - Mayor's Board Room.

Description: An Advisory Committee comprised of 10 members

Purpose: Established to assist the City in communicating with the Palm Beach County School Board and the schools located within the City of West Palm Beach. To report to the City Commission any recommendations, observations, concerns or other information the EAC deems is in the best interest of the public for the City Commission to receive regarding education and education facilities.

Contact: Commissioner Liaison Cathleen Ward, Phone: (561) 822-1391, cward@wpb.org

Members of this Board:

Daniel Vidaurre
Luis Miguel Lancho
Marcia M. Bedasse
Maximillian Kaye
Nancy Bourne
Nancy Stellway
Olivia Le
Pranati Kumar
Renetta Espinoza
Ta'Naysha S. Johnson

Employee Deferred Compensation Advisory Committee (457)

Meets: Contact: Human Resources (561) 494-1000

Description: Comprised of seven (7) members

Purpose: reviews administration, management, and responsibility for the proper operation of the deferred compensation plan

Members of this Board:

Alden C. Wilder
Bridget Souffrant
Christopher Brett
Janice Long Collins
Jose Luis Rodriguez
Richard McConnell

Employee Defined Contribution Administrative Committee (401a)

Meets: Contact: Human Resources (561) 494-1000

Description: Comprised of five (5) members

Purpose: reviews the general administration, management, and responsibility for the proper operation of the employee retirement system

Members of this Board:

Alva Stark
Bridget Souffrant
Jose Luis Rodriguez
Lisa Hathaway

Employees Defined Benefit Retirement System Board Of Trustees

Meets: 4th Tuesday of each month at 1:30 p.m., Room 519 in City Hall

Description: Comprised of seven (7) members

Purpose: General administration, management, and responsibility for the proper operation of the employees retirement system

Contact: A.C. Lovingood, Resource Centers, LLC., Phone: (561) 624-3277

Members of this Board:

Armando Fana
Benny E. Rodgers
Bridget Souffrant
Christopher T. Harrison
Jose Luis Rodriguez
Leon Pinder
Stephen Hunter

Firemen’s Pension Board Of Trustees

Meets: 1st Thursday of each month at 1:30 p.m. at Fire Station No.1,  500 North Dixie Highway

Description: Comprised of five (5) members

Purpose: General administration, management, and responsibility for the proper operation of the Firefighters retirement system

Contact: Scott Baur, Phone: (561) 624-3277 (Resource Centers, LLC)

Members of this Board:

Brian Walker
David Merrell
Elizabeth Fugler
Jeffrey J. Stefaniak
Julian Cover

Historic Preservation Board

Meets: Every fourth Tuesday of each month at 5 p.m., Commission Chambers, City Hall

Description: Comprised of seven (7) members and two (2) alternate members

Purpose: Reviews and approves all changes to historically designated structures within the city in accordance to the Historic Preservation Ordinance

Contact: Benjamen Salata at (561) 822-1457

Members of this Board:

Amanda Herrick-Skier
David Burck
Gabriel Jaroslavsky
Gerald Buxbaum
James Murphy
Jeff Sheldon 
Kristin H. Kellogg
Kyle Watters
Trent Swift

Library Advisory Board

Meets: Every 3rd Tuesday of each month at 5 p.m., Mandel Public Library, 411 Clematis Street, 3rd Floor

Description: Comprised of seven (7) members

Purpose: Makes recommendations for the guidance of the library activities

Contact: Lisa Hathaway at (561) 868-7787

Members of this Board:

Ginny L. Coyle
James Richard Larson
Leesa Conley-Harding
Leo R. Parry
Nicola Murray
Poulomy Chakraborty

Nuisance Abatement Board

Meets: 1st Thursday of each month at 5 p.m., Commission Chambers, City Hall

Description: Comprised of five (5) members and two (2) alternates

Purpose: Hears cases on properties cited for drug activity, prostitution, or gang activity

Contact: Lina Busby at (561) 822-1350

Members of this Board:

Andre Baxam
Elizabeth Fountain
Laura R. Cole
Michael George
Marion Gross
Ronald E. Warmecke
Taniel Koushakjian

Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee

Meets: 2nd Tuesday of each month at 4 p.m., in the Parks & Recreation Conference Room, 3rd floor, City Hall.

Description: Comprised of nine (9) members

Purpose: Addresses all matters affecting the City’s parks, open spaces, and recreational programs.

Contact: Leah Rockwell at (561) 804-4904

Members of this Board:

Jacquelyn E. Taylor
Julie Hastrup
Mary Murphy
Matthew Goldberger
Michael R. Odum
Niels Heimeriks
Patricia J. Sned
Perry Douglass
Phil Growick

Planning Board

Meets: 3rd Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m., Commission Chambers, City Hall

Description: Comprised of seven (7) members and one (1) alternate member.

Purpose: Recommends policies for physical development and advises in the preparation of the Comprehensive Plan, and considers whether specific proposed developments conform to the Plan.

Contact: Angella Jones-Vann at (561) 822-1441

Members of this Board:

Andres E. Paradelo
Deborah G.R. Raing
Jean G. Marseille, Jr.
Patrick Mayfield
Peter C. Pivko, AIA
Sam Fisch 
Steve Mayans
William Corrente

Police Pension Board Of Trustees

Meets: 2nd Friday of each month (on call). Police Benevolent Association Hall,  2100 North Florida Mango Road

Description: Comprised of five (5) members

Purpose: General administration, management, and responsibility for the proper operation of the Police retirement system

Contact: David M. Williams at (561) 471-0802

Members of this Board:

Dana M. Fragakis
Jonathan"Jack" Frost
Joseph Ahern
Sean Williams
Troy Marchese

Small Business Committee

Meets: For meeting information please contact (561) 822-2104

Description: Comprised of seven (7) members

Purpose: Considers/decides any appeals of decisions by the manager of the City’s Small Business Division to not certify, firm or business, under Chapter 66 of the City Code

Contact: Frank Hayden at (561) 822-2104

Members of this Board:

Alice V Zahniser
Elena E. Contreras
Geoffrey C. Burdick
Seth Schwartz
Tammy S. Thomas-Anthony
Thais R. Sullivan

Sustainability Advisory Committee

Meets: 1st Tuesday of each month at 4 p.m., in the Flagler Gallery, City Hall

Description: Comprised of nine (9) members
Purpose: The focus of the Committee is to help advance the sustainability goals of the City, please see generalized goals below.

General goals of the committee include:

(a) Reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase energy efficiency, conserve water, reduce waste, and employ environmentally-responsible products and technologies.

(b) Promote the use of methods, systems and materials that do not deplete natural land, water, and energy resources or harm natural cycles.

(c) Encourage the growth of green businesses and green jobs within the city, as well as the adoption of sustainable practices by existing businesses.

(d) Empower every resident of the city, regardless of social demographics or economic means, by informing city residents of practical and attainable ways to live sustainably.

(e) Lead by example as a green municipality.

(f) Work cooperatively with leaders in the nonprofit and academic communities, the private sector, the State of Florida, the Federal government and local governments throughout Palm Beach County and South Florida in matters relating to sustainability.

(g) Encourage sustainability as an integral part of the future development of the city.

(h) Develop and implement a city-wide sustainability action plan.

Contact: Penni Redford at (561) 804-4981

Members of this Board:

Chaitanya Banthia
Emma Hughes
Geoffrey Jarvis
John Tuckus
Julia Winton
Polly Daugherty
Rajeev Kamal
Robert Goheen
Rod A. Braun

Water Advisory Board

Meets: Quarterly on 1st Thursday of each quarter at 4 p.m. in the Public Utilities Conference Room.

Description: Comprised of nine (9) members

Purpose: The Water Advisory Board serves in an advisory capacity to the City Commission with respect to matters relating to long-range planning for the City’s public water system and in matters relating to the development, use and management of water resources within the City.

Contact: Darrel Graziani at (561) 822-2275

Members of this Board:

Danielle Moore
Harriet M. Sacher
Justice Ira Raab
Kathy Willowghby
Myles Schack
Serge D'Haiti

Steven Scherer
Toni Glymph-Martin

Watersheds Advisory Committee

Meets: As Needed

Contact: Ralph Wall at for meeting information

Description: Comprised of nine (9) members

Purpose: Reviews the City's Watershed Programs

Contact: Ralph Wall at rwall@wpb.org, Phone: (561) 805-6661

Members of this Board:

Antonio Duboy
Bharat Gupta
Craig Kahle
Daisy Perry
Eric Sain
Lon Sabella
Richard E. Wade
Robert Norberg

West Palm Beach Housing Authority (WPBHA)

Meets: 3rd Wednesday of each month at 4 p.m. at the WPBHA, 1715 Division Avenue

Description: Comprised of seven (7) members

Purpose: Oversees public housing developments

Contact Linda Odum at (561) 655-8530

Members of this Board:

Christopher Chase
Denise Smith-Barnes
Larry D. Brown
Malcom Joy
Suzanne Turner
Tanzanika Lillard
Yolanda S. Wilson

Zoning Board Of Appeals

Meets: 1st Thursday of each month at 1:30 p.m., Commission Chambers, City Hall

Description: Comprised of five (5) members and two (2) alternate members

Purpose: Hears and decides appeals when errors of order, requirement or the decision made by the zoning officer

Contact: Angella Jones-Vann at (561) 822-1441

Members of this Board:

Alfred J. Fields Jr.
Christopher Heggen, P.E.
Christopher Kammerer
Dana Picotte
Emeline Savidge
Jonathan Burgess
Matthew Craig Chambers