[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6117002,"mediaKeyId","2731188-cc651604e4b461895bc0f738cf0b9532","parentId",2731188,"title","Residents urge Riviera Beach council to prioritize water, transparency and community engagement","audioSeconds",1218,"startMs",1668000,"endMs",2886000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2731188-cc651604e4b461895bc0f738cf0b9532&start=1668&end=2886","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2731188-cc651604e4b461895bc0f738cf0b9532/thumbnail_1668000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6117002/Riviera-Beach/Palm-Beach-County/Florida/Residents-urge-Riviera-Beach-council-to-prioritize-water-transparency-and-community-engagement","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117002-117f955de31920f031c15ce5ad09b0ea/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152216&Signature=dc2f5KrhcCxv6BdpgsL6dMCLzsmkq4XLwzDKs-UQXN2tcaxcyOL1-P6ZQF26twkOkr-xxXdst7utKITZmJxPkkjKLAdLyhjJ-gWkgcUT9A14wDbHsc7yEjvt4Y5V8IhIxrHGWJ7K0MTLx3PiYkuh3r~5wP2qFHbzJRjjucFkMUfTUxzf4-BVoroEmH~V0zAtBR12tp5WV9hsB7b-~zFpMNLvWsppx-CjHMRq52dKnN0iQx0XZnuE1vCc2nDQUblz1oMEtnWVOPqHLWhVGDCxaDidQmvUxKhBLoyL6W-Wf4hV2ApG8IccHMYDya0jVvuAdPtnJe~Z9OKX7fP2zo9vOw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Riviera Beach, FL","date","2025-03-22T00:47:20.687Z","article","Residents used the March 19 public-comment period to press the newly seated Riviera Beach City Council on long-running problems with drinking water, demand greater transparency from city government, and request more outreach and mental-health supports.

Why it matters: water quality and communication were recurring themes; residents said those issues affect daily life and trust in municipal government.

Key public comments:

- Cindy March (public commenter): “I hope our number one priority is to clean water here in the city of Rivera Beach. If we have any obstacles with the water, let’s be transparent.” She told the council that water problems “have been bad for many, many years” and urged the new council to prioritize fixing them and to adhere to the city charter.

- Roy Brown (resident): Brown said residents needed accountability and urged churches and community groups to help solve neighborhood problems. He raised concerns about local economic opportunity and community safety.

- Rochelle Hughes (Lone Pine Estates resident): Hughes thanked city staff — including the utility district and specific staff she named — for help responding to a household leak and urged the council to continue work on water infrastructure.

- Chandra Stringer (resident/community advocate): Stringer urged the council to increase resident outreach and to ensure that publicly advertised events and flyers also appear on the city website. She asked whether the city received a $20 million grant for water infrastructure and asked for clarity when council addresses the topic during the budget process.

- Terrence Davis (resident): Davis praised returning and newly elected officials and urged the council not to forget longtime residents as it pursues redevelopment and other initiatives.

- Cheryl Melvin (resident, Sincere 2000 Foundation): Melvin urged “total transparency” and asked the council to engage year-round, not only during election cycles. She described her nonprofit’s work on suicide prevention and asked council members to support mental-health and youth programs.

What the council heard: multiple speakers pressed for more and clearer communication from city staff and elected officials, continued attention to the water system, and support for nonprofits addressing mental health and youth services. Several speakers singled out the utility district and specific staff for responsive service and urged the council to maintain and expand that responsiveness.

Ending: The public-comment period concluded and the council moved on to manager and staff remarks and to internal business.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Council Meeting March 19, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At the March 19 meeting residents pressed the council on long-running water problems, asked for clearer public communication and urged investment in mental-health supports and community programs.","taxTitle","Riviera Beach, Palm Beach County, Florida","taxId",68132,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6117007,"Riviera Beach council elects Shirley Lanier chair; Kishamba Miller Anderson named pro tem and CRA vice chair",1574,1079000,2653000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2731188-cc651604e4b461895bc0f738cf0b9532&start=1079&end=2653","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2731188-cc651604e4b461895bc0f738cf0b9532/thumbnail_1079000.jpg","/articles/6117007/Riviera-Beach/Palm-Beach-County/Florida/Riviera-Beach-council-elects-Shirley-Lanier-chair-Kishamba-Miller-Anderson-named-pro-tem-and-CRA-vice-chair","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117007-3fe1574e73e5edf069791abe854d9270/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152216&Signature=DKW8DOyWZFBS5Bk36Fb3W7rpMwA9UIg3Kdpk12~o0XWRjZ5AUVmFN5oWB6vOM3-NXxrr7W9my8jOiT-yCrhjHwGBIdBEKLuY8fSy7FDz7Skz49CGqloTZSr1aVICdFHfGWNiYmvFOlgKwXQld2NBnyovqqa9REBe6L1bZB8LrrVP7wzRNSVX8gb8wc2zk46tqQ6LakTXZtJ9brLpkil5g8hqAka71kT~RUM1oKh-vRK-3G8M51gvqBI9AWbkfUiIMG6haIipkgWyTLSnMt7VLUGTTbA31lpUiNPuq32r7CiPZt4B-ntLbvghy45NlmqLVQq-D6nn3bU3RIDumjUruw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Riviera Beach City Council voted March 19 to make Councilperson Shirley Lanier the council chair for 2025–26, with Councilperson Priscilla Davis Pannier casting the lone dissent. The council also unanimously selected Kishamba Miller Anderson as chair pro tem and approved Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) leadership: Shirley Lanier as CRA chair and Kishamba Miller Anderson as CRA vice chair.

Why it matters: the council’s choices determine who will lead meetings and represent the city on the CRA board during the coming year and set the process for filling the mayor vacancy.

Nominations and votes: when the floor opened for nominations, Councilperson Kachamba (Kishamba) Miller Anderson nominated Shirley Lanier for council chair and Councilperson Glenn Spiritus nominated himself; the council took a vote and Lanier won. The clerk recorded that the chair vote “passes with Councilperson Davis Pannier dissenting.” Recorded roll-call names for the chair vote were Shirley Lanier (yes), Kachamba Miller Anderson (yes), Glenn Spiritus (yes), Bruce Guyton (yes) and Priscilla Davis Pannier (no). The tally was 4–1 in favor of Lanier.

The council then nominated and unanimously confirmed Kishamba Miller Anderson as council chair pro tem for 2025–26.

On CRA leadership, the council nominated Shirley Lanier for CRA chair and carried the nomination unanimously. For the CRA vice-chair slot the council voted between Glenn Spiritus and Kishamba Miller Anderson; the council approved Miller Anderson’s nomination with a 3–2 vote (yes: Lanier, Guyton, Miller Anderson; no: Davis Pannier, Spiritus).

Mayor appointment process and schedule: during discussion the city manager and acting city clerk outlined the process to fill the mayor vacancy. City Manager Jonathan Evans said he would bring an agenda item at the first meeting in April to obtain council direction on interviews and scheduling. Acting City Clerk (name as recorded in the meeting) stated that applications — a resume and letter of interest submitted in person — will be received at the Riviera Beach City Clerk’s office beginning Wednesday, March 26 at 8 a.m. and ending Friday, April 4 at 5 p.m. The clerk also said applicants must show proof of residence (government ID or voter registration card) and the city code reference cited for the appointment process is section 2-30 of the Riviera Beach Code of Ordinances. Senior staff clarified that the 30-day vacancy clock begins the next business day and that the city interprets the period as 30 business days.

What the clerk and staff said about eligibility: the clerk said applicants must be Riviera Beach residents and show proof of residence; the clerk said the code did not specify a minimum number of years of residency.

Ending: The council’s leadership votes set who will preside over meetings and represent the city on redevelopment matters, and staff published a timeline and eligibility requirements for prospective mayor appointees. The city manager will present a formal item in April to seek council direction on interviews and final steps.","Council elected Shirley Lanier as chair for 2025–26, named Kishamba Miller Anderson pro tem and vice chair of the Community Redevelopment Agency; clerk set mayor-appointment application window March 26–April 4 under Code section 2-30.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6117012,"Three Riviera Beach council members sworn in as administration urges focus on water and collaboration",868,132000,1000000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2731188-cc651604e4b461895bc0f738cf0b9532&start=132&end=1000","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2731188-cc651604e4b461895bc0f738cf0b9532/thumbnail_132000.jpg","/articles/6117012/Riviera-Beach/Palm-Beach-County/Florida/Three-Riviera-Beach-council-members-sworn-in-as-administration-urges-focus-on-water-and-collaboration","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117012-5f6c8abd3d77371492a8e507847a816e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152216&Signature=PcMQQTbexwhCzslA3f9aAmvRIThThcHeukER7pUv~lWR-TQeH3CzSzJ7H8HGravyW4k2uU6EnKFY37Pf69XM6vKN-5ErRidZUDvjHmsPYHFriRvRRRtC2baj7wNkjvnJAky5rWxvGPHEU5TKNO8gEYc~-67oAXieW6TnAMON7KcvfbAyGo0fuEBaJTL68wzaQc~NO5~2OJWTpoHKgwIeRlj-Ggph9AUJpI8QN5VtiA0lZgDtAUpBVcDMu~DvGWNIO~8Gcm-yGDXWiCJGkjJ0Ic0~5ZK0t98CIj9ZQuZklpjkimdX5nT~ob3yL02Xf9XyAhEPkUXRENsSBqtCd~lhkw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Shirley Lanier, Bruce Guyton and Priscilla Davis Pannier were sworn in as members of the Riviera Beach City Council during a March 19 meeting, formalizing the council that will take up priorities identified by city staff including water infrastructure and community engagement.

The three new and returning council members took the oath of office in sequence during the meeting. State Attorney Alexia Cox administered the oath to councilperson Shirley Lanier; Pastor Maurice Johnson of Roanoke Baptist Church administered the oath to Councilperson Bruce Guyton; and former Riviera Beach City Clerk Gwendolyn Davis administered the oath to Councilperson Priscilla Davis Pannier. Each received reference materials from the city clerk’s office, including the 2025 Government in the Sunshine manual, the latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order and a book titled Mastering Council Meetings.

Why it matters: the newly seated council will oversee budget decisions and policy work for the coming year, including efforts the administration described as focused on infrastructure and transparency.

City Manager Jonathan Evans welcomed the new members and thanked outgoing officials, telling the council the administration is committed to working with the board “to move this agency forward for the best Riviera Beach that we all want to see for future generations and also our residents that live here.” City Attorney Don Wynn echoed the sentiment and said he looked forward to working with the council.

Council members who spoke during the swearing-in emphasized cooperation. Councilperson Bruce Guyton, returning to the dais, said he came “with a lot of passion and love for my community” and urged colleagues to put campaign divisions aside and focus on issues such as water, redevelopment, employee morale and recreation.

The clerk’s office asked the new council members to sign their oaths and accepted the ceremonial materials given to each member after the administration of each oath.

Councilmember Priscilla Davis Pannier, in her remarks after being sworn in, said she planned to prioritize education, community engagement and communication; she said she wants more town halls and better outreach so residents know what the city is doing.

The council adjourned the swearing-in portion of the meeting after the three oaths and proceeded to the remainder of the agenda.

Ending: The new council begins work with the administration pressing for accountability and infrastructure work; staff said it will continue to brief the board on water-related work and other priorities in coming meetings.","Shirley Lanier, Bruce Guyton and Priscilla Davis Pannier were sworn in March 19; city manager and city attorney urged cooperation and listed water among top priorities.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents urge Riviera Beach council to prioritize water, transparency and community engagement

Riviera Beach council elects Shirley Lanier chair; Kishamba Miller Anderson named pro tem and CRA vice chair

Three Riviera Beach council members sworn in as administration urges focus on water and collaboration